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EMEA Oil Update: Brent Futures Rise Amid Middle East Tension

Brent futures gained more than 1% on Friday with Hormuz Straittraffic mostly still stuck and after Saudi Arabia reported a 10% drop in export capacity after a reported Iranian attack on its East-West pipeline.The Brent futures contract gained 1.6% to $97.37 per barrel. Murban closed at $99.62 on April 9 and was not trading as of the time of publication of this oil price update."Oil extended gains for a second session amid fresh Middle East supply concerns. Saudi Arabia reportedly saw production capacity reduced by around [600,000] b/d following attacks on its energy infrastructure, equivalent to roughly 10% of typical crude exports," ING analysts noted.An April 9-dated news article by the Saudi Press Agency citing the Energy Ministry referred to an attack "recently" on a pumping station on the East-West pipeline, which it said caused a loss of about 700,000 barrels in throughput.It did not make mention of the origin of the attack but a source told Reuters on Wednesday that it came from Iran, damaging Saudi Arabia's main alternative route to export markets since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.Market analysts warned that the damage to infrastructure may cause long-term disruptions. Oil and gas output has already been scaled back, and refinery operations remain curtailed, meaning it could take weeks or months to fully reverse the supply shock.Analysts from ING noted that while there was initial optimism regarding a resolution to the six-week conflict, geopolitical risk premiums remain high following new threats from Washington toward Tehran.US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday amid reports that Tehran has started charging transit fees on tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz, as shipping through the key waterway remains largely restricted despite the ceasefire deal."There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait," Trump said in a social media post on Truth Social, "They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!"According to TRM Labs Thursday note, Iran's new toll framework requires payments of up to $2 million per vessel payable in cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan.Adding further pressure, the Tass news agency reported, citing a senior Iranian source, that Iran will limit transit to a maximum of 15 ships per day.The source reportedly said that under the current ceasefire, "fewer than 15 ships per day" will be permitted to sail via the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report.All eyes are now on the high-stakes talks between a US delegation and Iranian officials scheduled for this weekend.

Grail Insider Sold Shares Worth $2,286,526, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Aaron Freidin, Chief Financial Officer, on April 08, 2026, sold 45,806 shares in Grail (GRAL) for $2,286,526. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Freidin has control over a total of 260,669 common shares of the company, with 260,669 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1699031/000162828026024551/xslF345X05/wk-form4_1775775505.xml

$GRAL

Oil & Energy15d ago

EMEA Oil Update: Brent Futures Rise Amid Middle East Tension

Oil & Energy15d ago

Global Energy Supply Hit as Middle East Conflict Drives LNG Down 20%, Oil 13%, IMF Says

Global liquefied natural gas flows fell roughly 20% amid the Middle East conflict, while oil supply dropped about 13%, triggering a major energy shock, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday.The disruption has pushed energy prices higher worldwide, with the shock spreading across supply chains and affecting both importing and exporting economies unevenly.Brent crude rose sharply from about $72 per barrel before the conflict to around $120/bbl at its peak, reflecting tight supply conditions and heightened uncertainty, the IMF noted.Although prices have eased from highs, they remain elevated, with many countries paying premiums to secure limited oil supplies in strained global markets.Over 80% of countries are net oil importers, leaving the majority of global economies exposed to rising energy costs and supply disruptions during the shock, the IMF said.The drop in supply has also disrupted refining operations, as facilities struggle to maintain minimum throughput levels amid reduced crude availability.Shortages of refined fuels, including diesel and jet fuel, have affected transportation networks, trade flows, and tourism activity across multiple regions, according to the IMF.LNG markets have been heavily impacted, with supply constraints tightening availability and intensifying competition among buyers.Qatar's Ras Laffan complex, which accounts for about 93% of Gulf LNG output, has been largely offline since early March and may take three to five years to fully recover, the IMF added.The disruption has left Asia-Pacific markets facing acute shortages, given their heavy reliance on LNG imports from the Gulf region.Shipping flows have been affected, with tanker traffic from the Gulf disrupted for weeks, reducing availability of both crude oil and LNG cargoes, the IMF said.The shock is feeding into inflation, as higher energy costs pass through to goods and services, while supply shortages further constrain demand.The IMF stressed that policymakers should avoid unilateral actions, such as export bans or price caps, that could distort markets and intensify global supply shortages.Authorities are encouraged to adopt targeted and temporary fiscal measures to support vulnerable households while preserving longer-term fiscal discipline.Central banks should remain cautious, maintaining a focus on price stability while keeping policy steady unless inflation risks escalate, the IMF added.The IMF said that if inflation expectations rise sharply, policymakers may need to respond with interest rate increases to prevent a broader inflation cycle.Fiscal support should remain narrowly focused, avoiding broad subsidies that weaken price signals and reduce incentives to conserve energy.The IMF added that governments are advised to closely monitor evolving conditions, adjusting policies as needed while avoiding overreaction to short-term volatility.The IMF warned that global fiscal space has weakened, with public debt rising sharply over the past two decades, including across most G20 countries, increasing interest costs and highlighting the need to rebuild fiscal buffers.In tighter financial conditions, policymakers may need to balance growth risks with inflation control, requiring careful coordination between fiscal and monetary policies.Energy conservation measures, including demand reduction policies and efficiency initiatives, are being implemented in several countries to ease pressure on supply.Governments are also rolling out emergency energy-saving measures, including public conservation campaigns, limits on private vehicle use, and expanded remote work, the IMF said, citing data from the International Energy Agency.The IMF also stressed the need for strong global policy coordination, warning that conflicting fiscal and monetary policies could worsen economic instability.The IMF expects demand for balance-of-payments support to rise to between $20 billion and $50 billion due to spillovers from the Middle East conflict, with lower needs if the ceasefire holds.The fund said stronger policymaking in emerging markets has helped limit the scale of support required, adding it remains well positioned to assist its 191 member countries and coordinate responses.

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EMEA Oil Update: Brent Futures Rise Amid Middle East Tension

Grail Insider Sold Shares Worth $2,286,526, According to a Recent SEC Filing

EMEA Oil Update: Brent Futures Rise Amid Middle East Tension

Grail Insider Sold Shares Worth $2,286,526, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Grail Insider Sold Shares Worth $6,164,923, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Grail Insider Sold Shares Worth $3,078,169, According to a Recent SEC Filing

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SailPoint Insider Sold Shares Worth $1,023,484, According to a Recent SEC Filing

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Jabil Insider Sold Shares Worth $2,713,611, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Japan Shares Rise as Oil Stockpile Release Eases Supply Concerns

Australian Shares Flat; Magellan Financial Group Shareholders Approve Barrenjoey Merger

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ASX Midday Sector Update: Real Estate Stocks Marginally Higher, Information Technology Falls

NZX Midday Sector Update: Commercial Services Advance, Technology Services Decline

South Korean Shares Open Higher Ahead of US-Iran Ceasefire Talks in Islamabad

Japanese Stocks Up Marginally on Friday's Opening Session Ahead of US-Iran Talks

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Trump Says Iran Doing 'Very Poor Job' Allowing Oil Through Hormuz, Not Honoring Agreement

Global Energy Supply Hit as Middle East Conflict Drives LNG Down 20%, Oil 13%, IMF Says