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☆ Leon Cooperman says roughly 15% of his family office assets are in energy stocks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Billionaire investor Leon Cooperman said he is significantly invested in energy stocks, citing the rise in oil prices given the Middle East conflict. The chair and CEO of the Omega Family Office said roughly 15% of his family office assets are in energy, at a time when oil prices have been spiking and weighing on the broader equity market. Cooperman has favored energy stocks in the past. The S & P 500 energy sector advanced more than 47% that year. Energy prices have recently come off their highs after Iran and Israel signaled they are not interested in a wider conflict.

Persons: Leon Cooperman, Cooperman, CNBC's, —, Yun Li, Spencer Kimball Organizations: Omega Family Office, West Texas Locations: Iran, Israel

☆ Oil rises in early Asian trading, Middle East tensions remain in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices edged higher in early Asian trading on Tuesday, reversing losses from the previous session, as investors continued to assess the risk from geopolitical concerns in the Middle East. Oil prices edged higher in early Asian trading on Tuesday, reversing losses from the previous session, as investors continued to assess the risk from geopolitical concerns in the Middle East. Both benchmarks fell 29 cents in the previous session on signs that a recent escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran had little near-term impact on oil supplies from the region. Barclays analysts said on Monday that risks to their $90 a barrel forecast for this year's Brent prices remain skewed higher. U.S. crude oil inventories are expected to have increased last week while refined product stockpiles likely fell, according to a preliminary Reuters poll of analysts.

Persons: Brent Organizations: Global, Brent, U.S, West Texas, ANZ, Barclays Locations: East, Israel, Iran

☆ U.S. crude oil falls below $81 a barrel as market brushes off looming Iran oil sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A general view of Isfahan Refinery, one of the largest refineries in Iran and is considered as the first refinery in the country in terms of diversity of petroleum products in Isfahan, Iran on November 08, 2023. U.S. crude oil fell below $81 a barrel on Tuesday, the lowest level since March, as the market brushed off the threat of additional sanctions on Iranian oil. Here are the latest energy prices:The House of Representatives passed legislation over the weekend that would broaden sanctions against Iran's oil exports to include foreign ports, vessels and refineries that knowingly process crude from the Islamic Republic. The Senate could vote on the bill as soon as this week.

Locations: Isfahan Refinery, Iran, Isfahan, Islamic Republic

☆ China is refusing to condemn Iran's strike on Israel — and it's part of a Middle East power play
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China refused to condemn Iran's missile attack on Israel. AdvertisementChina refused to condemn Iran's missile and drone attack on Israel as it seeks to position itself as a key player in the Middle East. The statement was notable because it contained no condemnation of Iran's attack on Israel on Saturday. The US has sought to enlist China is helping to prevent a bigger regional war, the State Department said. In the readout, China praised Iran for acting with restraint in its response to Israel's embassy attack.

Persons: —, Wang Yi's, Hossein Amir, Amir, Abdollahian, Wang, Israel's, Xi Jinping, Ebrahim Raisi, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Service, Foreign, Saturday, Iran, Iranian, Lebanese, Hezbollah, Israel's, US, State Department Locations: China, Israel, Iran, Damascus, Syria, Iranian, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Beijing

Maxar Technologies Visual Investigations The $2.8 Billion Hole in U.S. Sanctions on Iran A Times investigation reveals how lax government oversight allowed shadowy oil tankers, covered by American insurance, to fund Iran’s regime. The American Club is one of only 12 major insurers of its kind, and the only one based in the United States. By then, the tankers had transported at least $2.8 billion in crude oil, based on the lowest reported prices of Iranian oil in 2023. The Treasury office has publicly enforced sanctions on the American Club only once in the past 20 years. Ultimately, the office said the American Club did “not appear to have been willful or reckless” and the case was settled.

Persons: Biden, ”, penna gabrielle toyomi, penna selene gabrielle, gabrielle, selene, lisa marianne selene, Samir Madani, Maggie Hassan, Daniel Tadros, “, Mr, Tadros, Shipowners, ” Mr, Madani of TankerTrackers.com, David Tannenbaum Organizations: Maxar, Maxar Technologies, Sanctions, U.S, White, New York Times, Times, Treasury Department, American Club, Treasury, cathay kirin, Copernicus, Planet Labs, Star, American, The Times, Revolutionary Guards Corps, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Club’s, Hamas, Bloomberg, United Against Nuclear, Nuclear, Glory, United, National Iranian Tanker, Labs, Copernicus Sentinel, Club, International Maritime Organization, AIS, Spire Locations: Gulf of Oman, American, U.S, Iran, New York, New Hampshire, United States, Hong Kong, Kharg, Kpler, China, Israel, Yemen, United Against Nuclear Iran, Nuclear Iran, United Arab Emirates, Asaluyeh, Dubai, of Oman, Persian, Oman, Cuba, Sudan, MarineTraffic, SynMax, TankerTrackers.com

☆ Oil edges up as geopolitical concerns support prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices rose in early trade on Tuesday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to fuel supply concerns. "If U.S.-Iran tensions escalate, particularly through a direct confrontation, the risk rises that Iran's oil supply is adversely impacted. Iran exported 1.2-1.6 million barrels per day of crude oil through most of 2023, Dhar added, representing 1-1.5% of global oil supply. The key concern is Iran threatening a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which sees the transit of 15-20% of global oil supply," he added. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil and distillates inventories were expected to have fallen last week while gasoline stocks were seen rising, a Reuters poll showed.

Persons: Brent, Vivek Dhar, Dhar Organizations: . West Texas, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, U.S, ANZ, Traders, Federal, Market, American Petroleum Institute, Energy Information Administration, U.S . Department of Energy Locations: Hong Kong, China, Washington, Jordan, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Hormuz, Red, U.S

America’s weak.”Neither Casey nor McCormick are likely to face serious opposition in Pennsylvania's April 23 primary before facing off against each other in November's general election. The Biden administration's support for Israel has been complicated politically in other states the president is counting on in his reelection bid. “Israel needs America's firm and unequivocal support,” McCormick wrote. Jewish voters typically vote overwhelmingly Democratic, and Democrats right now are trying to balance their interest in protecting Israel with that of younger voters, who have been sympathetic to Palestinians, he said. “Jewish voters have been one of their most loyal supporter groups.

Persons: —, Biden, hasn't, David McCormick, Joe Biden, Democratic Sen, Bob Casey, McCormick, Casey, Donald Trump, West Virginia Sen, Joe Manchin, persuadable, Hillel, “, ” McCormick, Barack Obama, Israel's, ’ ” Casey, Israel, Israel ”, George W, Bush, Christopher Borick, ” Borick, it’s, Marc Levy Organizations: U.S . Senate, Democratic, Israel, Biden, Trump, Senate, West, Republicans, Hamas, CBS, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Foreign, Jewish Community Center, Army, Pennsylvania, Jewish, Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Locations: HARRISBURG, Pa, Pennsylvania, Israel, Gaza, Iran, U.S, Afghanistan, Pennsylvania's, Michigan, Wisconsin, Rust, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Allentown

☆ Explainer: Iran's expanding oil trade with top buyer China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Here are key facts on Iran's oil trade with China:HOW MUCH IRANIAN OIL IS CHINA BUYING? HOW DOES IRANIAN OIL ENTER CHINA? Almost all Iranian oil entering China is branded as originating from Malaysia or other Middle Eastern countries. China regulates crude oil imports by issuing quotas. Giant state refiners Sinopec and PetroChina were once key Iranian oil clients, with investments in oilfields in the country.

Persons: Raheb, Donald Trump, refiners, China's, Muyu Xu, Florence Tan, Tony Munroe, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, Imports, Reuters, Brent, Washington, State Department, Thomson Locations: Iranian, Iran, Israel, Tehran, China, CHINA, Washington, Malaysia, Oman, UAE, China's Shandong, Kpler, Shandong, Russia, Venezuela, Beijing, U.S

Oil pump jacks are seen at the Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas deposit in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina, January 21, 2019. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged up on Monday as top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia said they would stick to extra voluntary oil output cuts until the end of the year, keeping supply tight, while investors watched out for tougher U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil. Russia also announced it would continue its additional voluntary supply cut of 300,000 bpd from its crude oil and petroleum product exports until the end of December. Sydney-based IG analyst Tony Sycamore expects oil prices to be driven by headlines from the Middle East and technical charts this week. Such sanctions often come with national security waivers, and China could still continue to import Iranian oil.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Brent, Suvro Sarkar, Tony Sycamore, Sarkar, Baker Hughes, Florence Tan, Colleen Howe, Shri Navaratnam, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, West Texas, Saudi, ING, DBS, U.S . House, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, Rights BEIJING, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Israel, Singapore, China, Sydney, Iran, United States

The newest U.S. aircraft carrier - and the world's largest - is already in the eastern Mediterranean and set to be joined by a second U.S. aircraft carrier in the next 10 days. While the White House says there are "no plans or intentions" for their use, it means U.S. military assets would be in place to provide air support to protect U.S. national security interests if needed. The U.S. also has an array of bases in the Middle East with troops, fighter aircraft and warships. "That said, we take our national security interests seriously and we have ample military force in the region to protect and defend those interests as needed," Kirby added. Any decision to launch military action in the Middle East would come from U.S. President Joe Biden, a Democract, himself.

Persons: Gerald R, Ford, haven't, Antony Blinken, Israel, Hossein Amirabdollahian, John Kirby, Kirby, Joe Biden, Lindsey Graham, Hezbolllah, Lloyd Austin, We've, Austin, Nandita Bose, Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Idrees Ali, Michelle Nichols, Sandra Maler Organizations: USNS Laramie, U.S Naval Forces, U.S . Sixth Fleet, Hamas, aircraft, U.S, United Nations, White House, Reuters, Sunday, . Defense, United, Biden, Thomson Locations: U.S Naval Forces Europe, WASHINGTON, CAIRO, United States, Israel, Palestinian, Iran, U.S, Cairo, New York, Gaza, Lebanon, Lebanese, White

Crude oil storage tanks are seen in an aerial photograph at the Cushing oil hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, U.S. April 21, 2020. The conflict in the Middle East has had little impact on global oil and gas supplies, and Israel is not a big producer. Iran's Oil Minister Javad Owji said on Friday oil prices are expected to reach $100 per barrel due to the current situation in the Middle East, according to the ministry's news agency SHANA. If the U.S. tightens enforcement of sanctions on Iran's oil exports due to any role it may have in the conflict, then Iran's oil supply could fall. On the U.S. supply front, drillers this week added four oil rigs in the biggest weekly rise since March, Baker Hughes said.

Persons: Brent, WTI, Israel, Javad Owji, SHANA, Iran's, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Andrew Lipow, Baker Hughes, Stephanie Kelly, Paul Carsten, Katya Golubkova, Andrew Hayley, Marguerita Choy, David Gregorio, Paul Simao Organizations: REUTERS, Companies, . West Texas, Iran's Oil, Hezbollah, U.S, Wall Street, Lipow Oil Associates, The, of, Petroleum, drillers, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Thomson Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, U.S, Gaza Saudi Arabia, Israel, Gaza, Tehran, Lebanese, Saudi Arabia, Moscow, Ukraine, Russia, Iran, China, New York, London, Tokyo, Beijing

Unlike Russia, one of the world's top oil and gas producers, Israel has very modest energy production. But there is a risk the war could spread to major energy producers in the Middle East and affect oil and gas flows. Second, a deal being brokered by Washington to normalise relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which could see the kingdom increase oil output, could be derailed. Saudi Arabia told the White House it is willing to boost oil production early next year to help secure the deal, the Wall Street Journal reported last week. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak added on Thursday that current oil prices factored in the conflict and reflected the market's belief that risks posed by the clashes were not that high.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Brent, David Goldwyn, Rob Thummel, Janet Yellen, Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji, Joe Biden, Helima Croft, Biden, Ben Cahill, Prince Abdulaziz, Alexander Novak, Vladimir Putin, Natalie Grover, Ahmad Ghaddar, Alex Lawler, Laura Sanicola, Kirsten Donovan, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, U.S . State Department, Tortoise, Iran, U.S, Treasury, Iranian Oil Minister, RBC Capital Markets, Macquarie, SAUDI, Israel, Wall Street, Washington, Strategic, International Studies, Saudi Arabia's Energy, CNBC, OPEC, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Russia, U.S, Iran, Hormuz, Washington, Saudi Arabia, Strait, Riyadh, Moscow, United States, Tehran, Washington . Saudi Arabia, Saudi, OPEC, London, New York

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference, in Tel Aviv, Israel October 12, 2023. The question of Iranian access to the funds has been in the spotlight since Iran-backed Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel on Saturday, killing more than 1,300 people and taking scores of hostages back to the Palestinian Gaza Strip. "Iran will not be able to access the funds for the foreseeable future," a senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters. Several U.S. media outlets reported on Thursday that the United States and Qatar had agreed to stop Iran from accessing the money. It did not respond to a request for comment on whether Iran had yet tried to access the funds.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jacquelyn Martin, Blinken, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's U.N, Donald Trump, John Kirby, Kirby, Parisa Hafezi, Andrew Mills, Michelle Nichols, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, TEL, United, Washington, Reuters, U.S, U.S . Treasury, U.S ., Government, United Nations, Qatar's, Media, White House, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, TEL AVIV, WASHINGTON, United States, Iran, Qatar, Palestinian, U.S, Tehran, South Korea, Seoul after Washington, Islamic Republic of Iran, New York, Qatari

Oil and gas tanks are seen at an oil warehouse at a port in Zhuhai, China October 22, 2018. Reuters' analysis of China's savings on oil purchases from the three sanctioned countries compares what Chinese importers would have paid by purchasing similar grades from non-sanctioned producers. For imports of Venezuelan oil, mostly heavy grade Merey, China saved an average of $10 a barrel versus comparable Colombian Castilla crude, the calculations based on the trader data showed. With January-September inflows of Venezuelan oil at around 430,000 bpd, according to the average of the Vortexa and Kpler data, China's savings from buying Venezuelan oil was $1.17 billion. TEAPOT MARGINSWith state refiners Sinopec and PetroChina refraining entirely from buying Iranian and Venezuelan crude, teapots have feasted on discounted oil from the two suppliers.

Persons: Aly, Kang Wu, Brent, Viktor Katona, Chen Aizhu, Muyu Xu, Tony Munroe Organizations: REUTERS, refiners, Reuters, P, Administration, Customs, Vortexa, Russia's, Castilla, Brent, U.S . State Department, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Zhuhai, China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, SINGAPORE, United States, Moscow, Tehran, Caracas, East, West Africa, South America, Beijing, Kpler, Kozmino, Baltic, Ukraine, Europe, India, Brazil, Urals, Oman, U.S, Venezuelan, teapots, Shandong, Israel

☆ Oil dips on investor caution as market eyes Middle East turmoil
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Jeslyn Lerh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An aerial view shows an oil factory of Idemitsu Kosan Co. in Ichihara, east of Tokyo, Japan November 12, 2021, in this photo taken by Kyodo. While Israel produces very little crude oil, markets worried that if the conflict escalates it could hurt Middle East supply and worsen an expected deficit for the rest of the year. Israel's port of Ashkelon and its oil terminal have been shut in the wake of the conflict, sources said on Monday. "If the U.S. finds evidence directly implicating Iran, then the immediate reduction in Iran's oil exports becomes a reality," said Vivek Dhar, an energy analyst at CBA. In a more positive sign for supply, Venezuela and the U.S. have progressed in talks that could provide sanctions relief to Caracas by allowing at least one additional foreign oil firm to take Venezuelan crude oil under some conditions.

Persons: Brent, Israel, Vivek Dhar, Dhar, Jeslyn Lerh, Arathy Somasekhar, Jamie Freed, Kim Coghill Organizations: Kyodo, Rights, U.S, West Texas, Hamas, ING, CBA, bbl, Thomson Locations: Idemitsu, Ichihara, Tokyo, Japan, Rights SINGAPORE, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Iran, Ashkelon, United States, U.S, Palestine, Venezuela, Caracas, Singapore, Houston

"The most serious outcome for crude is that the conflict escalates into a more devastating proxy war which could affect crude supply," said Rebecca Babin, senior energy trader at CIBC Private Wealth US. Israel's port of Ashkelon and its oil terminal have been shut in the wake of the conflict, sources said. Goldman Sachs said the conflict reduced the likelihood of normalization of Israel's relations with Saudi Arabia, and the associated boost to Saudi production over time. The conflict is likely to lead to higher volatility and speculation in oil markets, the CEO of Brazil's Petrobras (PETR4.SA) said. High oil price due to the conflict could bolster inflation, analysts said, forcing rate hikes that could dampen demand.

Persons: recouping, Brent, WTI, Israel, Rebecca Babin, Agustin Marcarian, Goldman Sachs, Caroline Bain, Saxo Bank's Ole Hansen, Nicolas Maduro, Arathy Somasekhar, Natalie Grover, Andrew Hayley, Emily Chow, Kirsten Donovan, Lisa Shumaker, David Gregorio Our Organizations: HOUSTON, . West Texas, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Hamas, CIBC Private Wealth, Israel, REUTERS, Saudi, Analysts, Capital Economics, U.S, Petrobras, PETR4, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Israel, Ashkelon, Israel US, Venezuela, Palestinian, Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Washington, Riyadh, Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, Moscow, U.S, Iran, Russia, Caracas, Mexico, Tel Aviv, Houston, London, Beijing, Singapore

Brent crude was up $3.24, or 3.8%, to $87.85 a barrel by 11 a.m. ET (1500 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $86.19 a barrel, up $3.40 or about 4.1%. Oil rigs are seen at Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas drilling, in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina January 21, 2019. Analysts suggested the implications of the conflict could include a potential slowdown in Iranian exports, which have grown significantly this year, despite U.S. sanctions. Any production and export disruption would exacerbate supply tightness as most analysts expect markets to be in a deficit in the second half of the year.

Persons: recouping, Brent, WTI, Tudor Pickering, Matt Portillo, Agustin Marcarian, Saxo Bank's Ole Hansen, Caroline Bain, Arathy Somasekhar, Natalie Grover, Andrew Hayley, Emily Chow, Kirsten Donovan, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: U.S, West Texas, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Saturday, REUTERS, Israel, White, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Israel, HOUSTON, Palestinian, Holt, Gaza, Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Washington, Riyadh, Moscow, Russia, U.S, Iran, Houston, London, Beijing, Singapore

☆ Two ways Israel-Hamas war could lead to much higher oil prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas threatens to push oil prices higher by straining relations between major oil-producing countries in the Middle East, according to Wall Street experts. Oil prices rose Monday after the weekend attacks, though they remain below recent highs from two weeks ago. Saudi Arabia One key player on the sidelines of the war is Saudi Arabia. Iran The other major oil producer tied into the conflict is Iran, the chief backer of Hamas. Bank of America's Doug Leggate said in a note to clients that the United States could release oil from its strategic petroleum reserve if prices spike.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Daan Struyven, Struyven, Helima Croft, Antony Blinken, Goldman's Struyven, Ed Morse, East . Bank of America's Doug Leggate, Leggate, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Texas, Wall Street, Israel, Saudi, RBC Capital Markets, Hamas, East . Bank of America's Locations: Israel, Gaza, East, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Iran, U.S, Lebanon, United States

☆ Oil prices jump 4% in wake of Hamas attack on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesOil prices jumped 4% as the Israel-Hamas conflict extended into its third day following a surprise attack on Israel by Palestinian militants Hamas. At dawn on Saturday during a major Jewish holiday, Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a multi-pronged infiltration into Israel — by land, sea and air using paragliders. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Oil prices jump following Hamas attack on IsraelWhile there is a surge in crude prices, analysts believe it will be a knee-jerk reaction, and likely temporary. Neither side is a major oil player. "If western countries officially link Iranian intelligence to the Hamas attack, then Iran's oil supply and exports face imminent downside risks," Dhar said.

Persons: Vivek Dhar, Mohammed Abed, Dhar, Donald Trump Organizations: Persian Gulf Star Co, Bloomberg, Getty, Hamas, Global, Brent, U.S . West Texas, NBC News, Palestinian Health Ministry, Israel, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Palestinian, Citi Locations: Bandar Abbas, Iran, Israel, U.S, Gaza, Commonwealth, Gaza City, Tehran

☆ US stocks skid, oil surges on Middle East conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

In particular, there was a chance oil supplies from Iran might be disrupted, they added. "Given the tightness already facing physical oil markets in Q4 2023, an immediate reduction in Iran's oil exports risks pushing Brent futures above $US100/bbl in the short term." Early Monday, markets seemed to think developments in the Middle East would lean against further Fed hikes, and perhaps hasten a policy easing next year. The news from the Middle East could sour the start of corporate earnings season with 12 S&P 500 companies reporting this week including JP Morgan, Citi, and Wells Fargo. "Near-trend economic growth and moderating inflation pressures will support modest sales growth and slim margin improvement," Goldman analysts aid in a note.

Persons: Androniki, Brent, Israel, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Wayne Cole, Shri Navaratnam, Sonali Paul Organizations: Nikkei, REUTERS, CBA, bbl, Nasdaq, Reserve, Citi, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, SYDNEY, Asia, South Korea, Iran, Gaza, Pacific, China, Wells

☆ Stock futures are little changed Monday evening as Israel-Hamas war raises geopolitical concerns: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. stock futures were near the flat line on Monday night as Wall Street assessed the impact and risks of a protracted conflict from the Israel-Hamas war. Futures linked to the S&P 500 ticked down 0.01%, while Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.07%. In the wake of the attacks, investors have also raised concerns of how tougher sanctions on Iran could affect global oil supply. Tightened sanctions on Iran and subsequent disruptions to Iran's oil supply "would have more of an impact on oil markets," said BMO Capital Markets chief investment officer Yung-Yu Ma. "I think the oil markets have a little bit of a buffer here.

Persons: Dow, Brent, Meera Pandit, Yung, Yu Ma, Ma Organizations: Dow Jones Industrial, Nasdaq, West, Energy, Israel, West Bank, Asset Management, Capital Markets, Investors Locations: Israel, West Texas, Aqsa, Gaza, Iran

☆ How Iran and the US reached the prisoner swap deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Parisa Hafezi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Sept 18 (Reuters) - Iran and the U.S. were to swap five detainees each on Monday after Qatar mediated a deal between the arch foes that also unfroze $6 billion of Tehran's funds. The transfer of Iran's funds has drawn Republican criticism that President Joe Biden, a Democrat, is in effect paying ransom for U.S. citizens. WHY WERE IRAN'S FUNDS FROZEN IN SOUTH KOREA? He also reimposed harsh U.S. sanctions designed to choke off Iran's oil exports as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign on the Islamic Republic. Seoul, normally one of Iran’s largest oil customers, received a waiver in 2018 from the United States to continue purchases of Iranian oil for several months.

Persons: Joe Biden, Tehran's, Dado Ruvic, Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi, Morad Tahbaz, Mehrdad Moin, Ansari, Kambiz Attar, Kashani, Reza Sarhangpour, Amin Hassanzadeh, Kaveh, Donald Trump, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khamenei, Parisa Hafezi, William Maclean Organizations: Qatar, Reuters, Iranian Foreign, Democrat, Doha, U.S, Iranian, REUTERS, WHO, United Nations, KOREA, Washington, U.S ., Islamic, Thomson Locations: Iran, U.S, Qatar, Doha, Tehran, Qatar's, United States, Iranian, Lebanon, Israel's, Washington, Islamic Republic, Seoul, IRAN

The Liberian-flagged oil tanker Ice Energy transfers crude oil from the Iranian-flagged oil tanker Lana (former Pegas), off the shore of Karystos, on the Island of Evia, Greece, May 26, 2022. The United States has sought to limit Iran's oil exports since Donald Trump exited a 2015 nuclear accord in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions aimed at curbing revenues to Iran's government. SVB International, a consultant, estimates Iran's oil production increased in August to 3.15 million barrels per day (bpd), the highest since 2018, with crude oil and condensate exports at just under 2 million bpd. Kpler, a provider of flows data, expects August crude exports to average about 1.2 million bpd, down from a 2018 high of 1.54 million bpd reached in May. Iran's oil minister was quoted by state media as saying crude output will reach 3.4 million bpd by the end of September.

Persons: Costas Baltas, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Sara Vakhshouri, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Kevin, Ben Cahill, Vakhshouri, Alex Lawyer, Timothy Gardner, Andy Sullivan Organizations: Liberian, Ice Energy, REUTERS, Analysts, United, SVB, Reuters, White, National, ClearView Energy Partners, U.S . State Department, Treasury Department, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Organization of, Petroleum, Tanker, Thomson Locations: Karystos, Evia, Greece, WASHINGTON, Tehran, China, United States, Iran, South Korea, U.S, Syria, Venezuela, OPEC, Russia, London, Washington

☆ Oil set for 2nd weekly fall on firm dollar as supply worries ebb
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude rose 30 cents, or 0.4%, to $83.66 a barrel by 0434 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 31 cents, also 0.4%, at $79.36 a barrel. Crude prices are set to fall between 1.5%-2.5% for the week, a second consecutive week of decline. A strong dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, denting demand. Further weighing on market sentiment, U.S. officials are drafting a proposal that would ease sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector, allowing more companies and countries to import its crude oil. Analysts estimated that the top oil exporter will likely roll over a voluntary oil cut of 1 million barrels per day for a third consecutive month into October, amid uncertainty about supplies and as the kingdom targets drawing down global inventories further.

Persons: Chen Aizhu, Jerome Powell, Brent, Jun Rong, Powell's, Laura Sanicola, Muyu Xu, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: China National Petroleum Corporation, Dalian Petrochemical Corp, REUTERS, Companies United, Federal, U.S, West Texas, IG, Haitong Futures, Analysts, Thomson Locations: China, Dalian, Liaoning province, Companies United States, America, Turkey, Kurdistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia

The Suezmax requires a lightering agent to transfer the crude to smaller ships, as its size and weight restrict it from directly entering the port. Shipping companies are worried that lightering the Iranian crude onto their vessels would lead other oil buyers to shun their ships on future voyages, one of those people said. "Our legal team said 'absolutely not,'" he added, saying the ship has yet to find any willing party to transfer the oil. A Western industry expert said the inability to discharge the cargo is partly out of fear of repercussions from Iran. The Middle East oil exporter has threatened retaliation against any oil company unloading Iranian oil from the seized tanker.

Persons: Suez Rajan, Arathy Somasekhar, Jonathan Saul, Timothy Gardner, Parisa, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S, Shipping, U.S . Coast Guard, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, Department of Justice, Thomson Locations: Texas, Suez, Marshall, Galveston, Houston, Iran, U.S, London, Washington, Dubai

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