Oil Prices

US-Iran clashes weigh on sentiment. Dollar rises as safe-haven appeal revives

West Asia conflict triggers sharp sell-off in Indian markets, with realty, banking and auto stocks leading losses amid energy shock fears

The cost of the Indian basket, however, has increased more sharply to over $156 per barrel due to disruptions in supplies from West Asia

Oil jumps over 3% as Middle East tensions threaten supply, with Hormuz disruption and global outages intensifying fears of a prolonged energy crisis

Brent futures rose $1.13, or 1.1 per cent, to $103.35 a barrel by 0051 ‌GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up $1.08, or 1.2 per cent, at $91.40 a barrel

Union minister flags energy security risks amid West Asia tensions; project expected to boost reserves and add over seven days of crude cover

Weaponising trade chokepoints has fragmented global markets like crude oil, leading to sharp regional price variations

Interestingly, while the ongoing conflict has serious implications for the smaller oil-importing Asean economies, China may stand to benefit for several reasons

Mohammed Imran, research analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan, maintains the Q2 2026 Brent target of $110/bbl and WTI at $100

S&P 500 futures rose 0.9 per cent in the Asia morning, European futures ​lifted 1.2 per cent and Brent crude futures fell about 6 per cent to $98.30 a barrel

Indian equities rallied after the US delayed strikes on Iran, but gains were capped by elevated oil prices and continued uncertainty around the conflict

The Trump administration on Friday issued a 30-day sanctions waiver for the purchase of Iranian oil already at sea

The ongoing oil crisis risks becoming a lost opportunity unless the government outlines a clear plan to reform exploration policies and boost India's domestic crude oil output

The war is in its fourth week and has already affected several countries, including India. The impact is being felt through different channels, though macro indicators may not capture everything

Oil prices dropped sharply after Trump paused Iran strikes, while Indian LPG tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz amid supply concerns and disruptions in West Asia

The conflict in West Asia and fresh trade investigations by the US have resulted in increased volatility in the global markets, the RBI bulletin said on Monday. India's foreign exchange reserves remain adequate to provide a cushion against external shocks, said an article on the state of the economy published in the bulletin. The second advance estimates of GDP for 2025-26 indicate sustained resilience of the Indian economy, it noted. "High-frequency indicators signal towards economic activity gaining momentum in February," the article said. It further said CPI headline inflation picked up in February on account of food and beverages. System liquidity has remained comfortable, and the total flow of financial resources to the commercial sector rose, with a rise in financing from both the bank and non-bank sources, it added. The central bank, however, said views expressed in the article are those of the authors and do not represent the views of the Reserve Bank of India.

Escalating conflict, rising oil prices and rupee pressure likely to keep markets volatile as investors turn cautious amid global uncertainty

Conflicting signals from Donald Trump on the Gulf war unsettle markets, drive oil volatility, and expose deeper global economic imbalances and geopolitical risks

Iran warned it would attack US-linked infrastructure, including energy and desalination facilities in the Gulf, if Trump carried out his threat

Agency outlines measures such as remote work, reduced travel and public transport use to ease demand as oil prices surge amid West Asia conflict