Saudi Arabia cut the price of its main crude grade for Asian customers, effective August, amid weakening demand and easing tensions.
It's the largest reduction in over two decades. The sharp price cut comes as pressure grows on the world's largest crude exporter, as softer demand in Asia coincides with improving supply conditions following the easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.Source: The Times Of India
UAE Crude Output Nears Record High Following OPEC Exit Amid Surge In Chinese Buying
Source: zerohedge
IRAN SUSPENDS U.S. PEACE TALKS LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER SIGNING DEAL
Iran has reportedly suspended the entire 60-day negotiation process with the U.S., citing Israeli strikes on Lebanon, according to Fars and Al-Mayadeen. Vice President JD Vance has reportedly postponed his planned trip to Switzerland, where U.S.-Iran talks were set to begin Friday, per Axios. Both delegations were preparing to depart before the talks were called off. Note that is barely moving Source: Coin Bureau
Bloomberg's Michael Ball notes that material flows through Hormuz creates a different problem for crude,
Especially in Asia, as too much supply hits a region that has already adapted to fewer Middle East barrels. Asian refiners replaced disrupted Middle East barrels with US crude and other alternatives, cut some processing runs when prices rose and are now facing a sudden wave of Persian Gulf supply. This has led Middle Eastern crude curves to flip into bearish contango, showing the market is pricing a near-term glut rather than shortage. Source: Bloomberg, zerohedge
E4 nations including the UK, France, Germany and Italy said on Sunday the countries were prepared to lift sanctions on Iran
in response to steps on its nuclear program after the US and Iran reached a deal to end their war. Source: Al Jazeera Breaking News @AJENews
Two months after Trump announced that the US would provide insurance to ships seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz, the programme has not provided a single dollar of cover.
The scheme never got off the ground, according to insurance brokers, as it did not fulfil all the requirements needed for ships transiting the strait and was tied to a US naval escort for vessels, which has not been established. Source: Alexander Stahel on X, FT
An interesting Wall Street Journal story highlights the UAE’s request for a dollar swap line.
While the UAE has yet to report its end-March reserves, it entered the current situation with substantial reserves and significant holdings of liquid U.S. assets. Given the central bank’s apparent liquidity, the vast resources of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds, and the country’s clear ability to borrow in dollars, it seems unlikely that the UAE would face a genuine dollar shortage. Source: Brad Setser
The IMF's growth forecasts are out.
Qatar seems to be the worst hit from the Middle East War, with recovery set for 2027. Source: Statista
