Iran is rushing to prepare for war in case talks fail, WSJ writes

Oil up 5%: Vance says Iran unwilling to concede, admits use of force

Oil prices jumped more than 3.5% following the publication of Axios, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/iran-nuclear-talks-canceled-witkoff">which</a> cited two U.S. officials as reporting disagreements over upcoming talks between the U.S. and Iran scheduled for Friday, February 6.

Oil prices soared on the threat of disrupted talks and escalation between the U.S. and Iran

NVIDIA Corporation

Intel Corporation

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Despite the political risks of recent weeks, the U.S. stock market remains relatively close to record highs

The S&amp;P 500 Index declined for the second week in a row for the first time since June

Commodity markets may be entering the phase of a new "supercycle" amid rising demand for metals, energy and other tangible assets, according to John Velis, Americas strategist at BNY, <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/stocks-are-signaling-that-another-commodities-supercycle-is-afoot-in-2026-5e697dc6?mod=home_lead">writes</a> MarketWatch.

Analysts talk about the beginning of the commodity "supercycle". Is everything so unambiguous?

Traders in the oil market are watching the development of protests in Iran, which could lead to disruptions in oil production in the country or risk blocking the Strait of Hormuz - the most important route for energy exports from the Middle East, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-12/oil-prices-and-iran-protests-how-could-escalation-of-crisis-impact-industry">writes.</a>

The escalating crisis in Iran and oil: five issues the market is watching right now

Flotek Industries, Inc.

Core Laboratories Inc.

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.

On January 3, 2026, the US <a href="https://oninvest.com/article/ssa-zahvatili-maduro-posle-udarov-po-venesuele-onlajn">conducted</a> a military operation in Venezuela called "Absolute Resolve," during which the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, was captured. This move by Washington effectively ended months of escalation, accompanied by a naval blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers and accusations of the regime's involvement in drug trafficking.

Flotek, Core Lab, Helix: which small-cap stocks benefited after the overthrow of the Venezuelan government


Shell plc

Chevron Corporation

BP p.l.c.

Exxon Mobil Corporation

Peace progress in Ukraine could reduce risks to Russia's supply of commodities

Oil has fallen in price by almost 3% over the day. Brent has the weakest annual dynamics since 2020

OPEC maintained its previous forecast for global oil supply and demand in 2026, expecting the market to be balanced. This goes against widespread forecasts of oversupply, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-11/opec-data-point-to-balanced-global-oil-market-in-2026?">notes</a>.

OPEC expects a "balanced" oil market in 2026 - contrary to Wall Street predictions

Global oil demand will grow longer than expected, says Goldman Sachs

Oil price jumps after attack on major Russian export terminal

Contracts for delivery of Mark Brent oil at the auction on October 10 fell by almost 4% - to $62.5 per barrel. Quotes of American oil West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also went down by more than 4% to $58.7 per barrel, which was their lowest since Ma. Both Marks approached one of the lowest price levels since the beginning of the pandemic,<a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-10-10-2025/card/this-is-some-of-the-cheapest-oil-since-the-pandemic-3Ib1AIOdXrLsmNXSu0Oi?mod=lctimeline_finance"> notes</a> The Wall Street Journal.

Oil prices collapsed 4% amid worsening US-China trade relations

In trading on Tuesday, oil prices jumped and gold briefly hit an all-time high. Investors rushed into traditional protective assets after the Israeli military announced an attack on the Hamas leadership in Qatar.

Oil and gold prices jump after Israeli attacks in Qatar

Trump has promised "very serious consequences" if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.