Today: 21 March 2026
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Energy Markets 15 February 2026 - 2 March 2026

Qatar LNG Halt Triggers Gas Spike; Oil Jumps as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Tightens

Qatar LNG Halt Triggers Gas Spike; Oil Jumps as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Tightens

QatarEnergy halted LNG production after Iranian drone strikes hit Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, officials said. Gas prices in Europe jumped over 40% and about 150 ships were stranded near the Strait of Hormuz as insurers moved to cancel war-risk cover. At least five tankers were damaged and two people killed, according to Reuters. Shipbrokers reported spot freight rates from the Middle East to China surged to $12 million.
2 March 2026
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Oil prices brace for a volatile week after Iran strikes: Hormuz disruption and OPEC+ output move in focus

Oil prices brace for a volatile week after Iran strikes: Hormuz disruption and OPEC+ output move in focus

OPEC+ agreed to raise oil output by 206,000 barrels per day as tanker operators paused or rerouted shipments after Iran warned the Strait of Hormuz was closed. Major Japanese shipping lines halted transits in the area. Oil markets are closed until Monday, when traders expect sharp price moves. No confirmed damage to infrastructure, but tanker rates have surged.
1 March 2026
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RTX stock forecast after U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran: missile demand, oil shock and Monday’s test

RTX stock forecast after U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran: missile demand, oil shock and Monday’s test

RTX closed up 2.52% at $202.62 Friday, with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman also higher, after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Israel said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed; Iran fired missiles at Israel and Gulf states, warning the Strait of Hormuz was closed. Oil rose 2% to $72.48 a barrel. The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF ended just below its 52-week high.
28 February 2026
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Natural gas price forecast: Iran strikes sharpen focus on Strait of Hormuz ahead of Monday open

Natural gas price forecast: Iran strikes sharpen focus on Strait of Hormuz ahead of Monday open

U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend heightened concerns about LNG tanker routes through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Greece to warn its ships away from the area. EU gas storage stood at just 30.09% full on Feb. 27. European TTF gas closed Friday at €32.43/MWh, up 1.69%, while U.S. Henry Hub settled at $2.859/mmBtu, up 1.06%. Traders expect renewed risk premiums when markets reopen Monday.
28 February 2026
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Oil prices jump on Iran deal jitters as Brent nears $73; OPEC+ meeting next

Oil prices jump on Iran deal jitters as Brent nears $73; OPEC+ meeting next

Crude oil prices climbed Friday, with WTI up 2.2% at $66.66 a barrel and Brent at $72.43, after the U.S. military moved forces into the Middle East. Traders cited supply risks from U.S.-Iran tensions and awaited Sunday’s OPEC+ meeting. Analysts noted a $4–$10 risk premium in prices, despite forecasts of oversupply later in 2026. Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia increased exports to buffer the market.
27 February 2026
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Oil prices jump as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks whip Brent and WTI

Oil prices jump as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks whip Brent and WTI

Brent crude rose $1.17 to $72.02 a barrel and U.S. WTI gained 87 cents to $66.29 Thursday as traders reacted to stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva. U.S. crude inventories jumped by 16 million barrels last week, but the market largely ignored the build. OPEC+ is weighing a possible 137,000 bpd output increase for April. China may trim crude imports from April after recent price gains.
26 February 2026
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Natural gas slips under $3 to a four-month low as forecasts warm — what it means for UNG

Natural gas slips under $3 to a four-month low as forecasts warm — what it means for UNG

NYMEX March natural gas fell 0.9% to $2.958/mmBtu Tuesday, set for its lowest close since October 16. Milder weather forecasts and steady U.S. output weighed on prices, even as LNG feedgas flows held near record highs. Traders now await Thursday’s U.S. storage report. The United States Natural Gas Fund ETF dropped 1.7% to $11.55 in early trading.
24 February 2026
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Oil price today: Brent slips but holds near six-month high as U.S.-Iran talks, tariffs loom

Oil price today: Brent slips but holds near six-month high as U.S.-Iran talks, tariffs loom

Brent crude fell 37 cents to $71.39 a barrel and WTI dropped 27 cents to $66.21 by midday Monday, both near six-month highs. U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and new U.S. tariffs kept risk premiums elevated. Global stocks slipped and gold rose after President Trump announced a temporary 15% global tariff. Goldman Sachs raised its Q4 2026 oil forecast, citing low inventories but warned of downside risks if sanctions ease.
23 February 2026
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Gasoline prices near $3 as RBOB futures hold weekly gain; refiners in focus

Gasoline prices near $3 as RBOB futures hold weekly gain; refiners in focus

Front-month RBOB gasoline futures held near $2.01 a gallon Friday, up 5% for the week as inventories fell and demand rose. AAA reported the U.S. average pump price at $2.92, down slightly but warned of a seasonal increase ahead. Valero and Phillips 66 shares gained; Marathon Petroleum was flat. EIA data showed gasoline inventories dropped by 3.2 million barrels to 255.8 million.
20 February 2026
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Heating oil price slips today, but distillate stock squeeze keeps traders on edge

Heating oil price slips today, but distillate stock squeeze keeps traders on edge

U.S. heating oil futures fell 0.8% to $2.59 a gallon Friday, easing after a rally sparked by a sharp drop in distillate inventories, EIA data showed. Distillate stocks dropped 4.6 million barrels to 120.1 million, about 5% below the five-year average. Brent crude slipped to $71.47 a barrel as traders watched U.S.-Iran tensions. National average residential heating oil reached $4.075 a gallon.
20 February 2026
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Oil prices near six-month highs as Trump’s Iran deadline keeps Brent and WTI in focus

Oil prices near six-month highs as Trump’s Iran deadline keeps Brent and WTI in focus

Brent crude slipped 19 cents to $71.47 a barrel and WTI fell 14 cents to $66.29, though both benchmarks remain near six-month highs after a 5.3% weekly gain. U.S. crude inventories dropped by 9 million barrels last week, while Saudi exports hit their lowest since September. OPEC+ paused planned output hikes for March. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran and a sharp draw in U.S. stocks kept markets volatile.
20 February 2026
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Natural gas prices jump near $3.14 as cold snap meets Golden Pass LNG countdown

Natural gas prices jump near $3.14 as cold snap meets Golden Pass LNG countdown

U.S. natural gas futures jumped nearly 5% to $3.141 per mmBtu by early afternoon Friday, rebounding from recent lows. The move followed a smaller-than-expected storage withdrawal of 144 bcf last week and anticipation of Exxon’s Golden Pass LNG plant starting up in March. Output remains near record highs, while traders cited short-covering and colder weather in the East.
20 February 2026
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Oil price today: Brent, WTI edge up as U.S.-Iran Geneva talks and OPEC+ supply loom

Oil price today: Brent, WTI edge up as U.S.-Iran Geneva talks and OPEC+ supply loom

Brent crude rose 0.6% to $68.16 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained 43 cents to $63.32 on Monday, with no official U.S. settlement due to the Presidents’ Day holiday. Traders await U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva, while Chinese imports of Russian crude are set to hit a record in February as independent refiners buy discounted cargoes. Eight OPEC+ members will pause planned production increases in March.
16 February 2026
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Natural gas prices could swing again this week: LNG flows, warm forecasts and Waha trouble in focus

Natural gas prices could swing again this week: LNG flows, warm forecasts and Waha trouble in focus

U.S. natural gas futures settled at $3.243 per mmBtu Friday, up 0.8% for the day but down 5% for the week after steep earlier declines. Traders weighed strong LNG export demand against forecasts for mild late-February weather that could curb heating needs. The U.S. gas rig count rose to 133, while Waha Hub prices in West Texas remained negative due to pipeline constraints. The March contract expires Feb. 25.
15 February 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • Cotton Futures Slip Amid Export Sales Decline and Mixed Commodity Signals
    March 21, 2026, 4:48 AM EDT. Cotton futures declined Friday, with front-month contracts falling 20 to 32 points. Export sales data revealed total cotton export commitments at 9.354 million running bales (RB), down 9% year-over-year and trailing USDA's pace at 83% of forecast versus a 5-year average of 96%. Shipments also lagged, down 5% from last year and at 47% of USDA's estimate. Crude oil rose $2.51 to $98.09 per barrel, while the U.S. dollar index dropped slightly to 99.345. Market-specific indicators such as The Seam's sales and the Cotlook A Index showed modest softness or stability, with certified cotton stocks steady. The Adjusted World Price was increased by 2.72 cents to 54.22 cents per pound, highlighting mixed signals for cotton traders.
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