Oil Rises as Middle East Supply Risks Persist
Crude oil prices rose for the first time in four sessions on Thursday, gaining nearly 3% to around $90.5 a barrel after plunging more than 8% to a near two-month low in the previous session. Traders continued to assess whether the Democratic Party's gains in the US midterm elections could improve prospects for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict with Iran. Tehran is reviewing proposals delivered through regional mediators, although Washington and Tehran remain divided over the terms of a potential agreement. Meanwhile, shipping risks persist. At least five vessel-related incidents have been reported in the Persian Gulf since Sunday, with threats to commercial traffic continuing despite a recovery in crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Supply conditions have improved considerably, with Gulf crude exports recovering towards pre-war levels, albeit at higher transportation costs. However, geopolitical risks surrounding these shipments remain unresolved.
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Crude oil prices rose for the first time in four sessions on Thursday, gaining nearly 3% to around $90.5 a barrel after plunging more than 8% to a near two-month low in the previous session. Traders continued to assess whether the Democratic Party's gains in the US midterm elections could improve prospects for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict with Iran. Tehran is reviewing proposals delivered through regional mediators, although Washington and Tehran remain divided over the terms of a potential agreement. Meanwhile, shipping risks persist.
At least five vessel-related incidents have been reported in the Persian Gulf since Sunday, with threats to commercial traffic continuing despite a recovery in crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Supply conditions have improved considerably, with Gulf crude exports recovering towards pre-war levels, albeit at higher transportation costs. However, geopolitical risks surrounding these shipments remain unresolved.