US Markets Look Like a Bull Run, but the Hormuz Dependent Countries are Looking Down

As U.S. stock futures surge ahead of Monday’s open, signaling yet another leg higher for the major indices, energy markets tell a very different story. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—following Iran’s recent declaration that the vital waterway is “completely open” during the ceasefire—has triggered a sharp plunge in oil prices. This is great […]

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What is the impact difference to investors between paper oil prices and delivered cost? – Watch for the Ruberband Snap Up to Oil Prices

In the high-stakes world of energy markets, not all oil prices are created equal. \”Paper oil\” refers to benchmark futures contracts traded on exchanges like NYMEX (WTI) and ICE (Brent)—financial instruments where the vast majority of trading volume (often 95%+) never results in physical delivery. These are the headline numbers investors see on CNBC or […]

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US Crude Oil Inventories Up

In the latest Weekly Petroleum Status Report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) for the week ending January 9, 2026, U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) saw a notable increase of 3.4 million barrels, reaching a total of 422.4 million barrels. This build defied market expectations of a drawdown and […]

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