Page 4 - Oil Prices
Oil plunges, US futures jump as Trump pauses Iran attacks for 2 weeks
Oil prices plunged and US stock futures jumped after President Donald Trump said he would hold off on his threat of devastating attacks on Iran for two weeks if the Iranians agree to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Futures for US crude oil sank 18% to around $92.60 while Brent crude oil futures fell about 6% to $103.40. Both prices remain well above where they were at the start of the war. Futures for the S&P 500 rose 2.4%. Trump said Iran has proposed a "workable" 10-point peace plan that could help end war the US and Israel launched on Feb 28.
 "Oil plunges, US futures jump as Trump pauses Iran attacks for 2 weeks")
Rewiring power for a new era: India's energy transition is too cautious
India imports more than 90 per cent of its oil needs and roughly half its gas requirements
 "Rewiring power for a new era: India's energy transition is too cautious")
Mkts rise over 1% on truce hopes; bank stocks lead rally as oil prices ease
Mcap of BSE-listed firms rise by ₹5 trn to ₹428 trn
 "Mkts rise over 1% on truce hopes; bank stocks lead rally as oil prices ease")
SME Forum seeks govt support as fuel costs hit MSME clusters hard
Industry body flags rising fuel costs, shipping disruptions and labour stress in key clusters; proposes relief measures including subsidies, liquidity support and worker welfare schemes
 "SME Forum seeks govt support as fuel costs hit MSME clusters hard")
Saudi hikes Asia oil price to record premium amid Hormuz disruption
State oil producer Saudi Aramco will increase flagship Arab Light crude prices for May sales to a premium of $19.50 over regional benchmarks for refiners in Asia
 "Saudi hikes Asia oil price to record premium amid Hormuz disruption")
Rupee set to rise on spillover of RBI curbs; oil, outflows temper sentiment
The rupee is likely to open in the 92.80-92.90 range versus the US dollar, having settled at 93.10 on Thursday
 "Rupee set to rise on spillover of RBI curbs; oil, outflows temper sentiment")
Oil prices rise as Trump's threats to Iran heighten supply disruption fears
Brent crude futures rose $1.71, or 1.6 per cent, to $110.74 a barrel by 0057 GMT while US WTI was up 0.6 per cent, trading at $112.25 per barrel
 "Oil prices rise as Trump's threats to Iran heighten supply disruption fears")
West Asia conflict: Predictable expenses likely to boost EV demand
CSEP study says high crude prices may accelerate EV transition, but electric cars will continue to rely on fiscal incentives to remain competitive with ICE vehicles till 2030
 "West Asia conflict: Predictable expenses likely to boost EV demand")
West Asia conflict threatens to push markets into bear market rhythm
Markets face risk of a prolonged bear phase as oil shocks and geopolitical tensions test inflation, growth, and investor confidence globally
 "West Asia conflict threatens to push markets into bear market rhythm")
US intelligence warns Iran unlikely to ease Strait of Hormuz chokehold soon
The finding suggests Tehran could continue to throttle the strait to keep energy prices high as a means of pressuring Trump to find a quick off-ramp to the war
 "US intelligence warns Iran unlikely to ease Strait of Hormuz chokehold soon")
Nomura downgrades India equities to neutral on oil, AI and inflow risks
Brokerage flags risks from elevated oil prices, slowing domestic inflows and India's weak positioning in AI, even as valuations remain stretched versus regional peers
 "Nomura downgrades India equities to neutral on oil, AI and inflow risks")
Oil jumps nearly 7% after Trump says US to keep up attacks on Iran
The gains followed an earlier fall of more than $1 in both benchmarks prior to Trump's televised speech to the nation, after having settled lower in the previous session
Don't waste the oil shock, use it to secure India's energy future
Crude oil imports alone in 2025-26 are around 225 Mt. At $120 per barrel, the annual import bill for crude oil will be around $160 billion, compared with $80 billion at a crude price of $60 per barrel
Clouded year ahead: Economic conditions have changed since February 1
Multiple sectors will come under pressure, complicating the government's plans for the year
 "Clouded year ahead: Economic conditions have changed since February 1")
Oil shock concludes FY26 amid record gold, silver gains as volatility rises
The oil crisis is unfolding amid record global debt, fragile supply chains, and emerging market volatility
India's fuel exports drop amid European Union sanctions, West Asia war
Latest sanctions by EU banning imports of fuels made from Russian crude oil from January has hurt India's sales, say industry sources
 "India's fuel exports drop amid European Union sanctions, West Asia war")
Iran parliament speaker warns severe retaliation against US ground invasion
Iran warns of severe retaliation against US ground forces as conflict escalates, with experts cautioning long-term global economic fallout from damaged energy infrastructure
 "Iran parliament speaker warns severe retaliation against US ground invasion")
Equity markets appear to lean on early US-Iran truce, says Sailesh Raj Bhan
Elevated oil prices and prolonged West Asia crisis may hit earnings, but staggered investing offers opportunity for long-term investors, says Nippon MF CIO
 "Equity markets appear to lean on early US-Iran truce, says Sailesh Raj Bhan")
Foreign investors flee Indian assets at record pace on oil shock
Foreign investors have sold a net $12.14 billion worth of Indian shares since the war began on February 28, marking the biggest monthly outflow on record
 "Foreign investors flee Indian assets at record pace on oil shock")
Oil up 2.5% but set for first weekly decline since start of Iran war
Brent crude futures rose by $2.73, or 2.53%, to $110.74 a barrel by 1257 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were up $2.39, or 2.53%, at $96.87