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Tuesday, August 25, 2026

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Market Commentary

Dow Jones Futures: Stocks Rise Cautiously Into Fed Inflation Data, Nvidia Earnings; Robinhood In Buy Area

Crude prices have edged lower as the stock market shows signs of cautious optimism, influenced by lower oil prices and yields. This decline in oil prices reflects a broader sentiment in the energy markets, where investors are weighing the implications of upcoming Federal Reserve inflation data. A decrease in oil prices can signal reduced demand expectations, which may stem from concerns about economic growth and inflationary pressures. As the Fed prepares to release critical inflation figures, market participants are closely monitoring how these data points might influence monetary policy and, consequently, energy demand. Additionally, the performance of tech stocks, particularly Nvidia, could impact overall market sentiment, indirectly affecting oil prices as investor confidence fluctuates. Lower yields typically support higher asset prices, but the interplay between stock performance and energy markets remains delicate. Investors should remain vigilant as any surprises in inflation data could lead to volatility in both stock and oil markets. The current environment suggests that while there may be short-term relief in oil prices, underlying demand dynamics and geopolitical factors continue to loom large. As the market digests these developments, the potential for price fluctuations remains high, making it essential for energy investors to stay informed and agile.

Market Commentary

The U.S. Power Play in Iraq That Moscow and Beijing Didn’t See Coming

The U.S. is strategically enhancing its influence in Iraq as the geopolitical landscape shifts, particularly while Russia is preoccupied with its war in Ukraine and Iran is focused on its own territorial defense. This maneuvering comes at a critical time as Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has announced ambitious plans to increase oil production to between 8 million and 10 million barrels per day within the next six years. Such a significant boost in output could have profound implications for global oil supply dynamics, especially as it positions Iraq as a more formidable player in the energy market. Increased Iraqi production could alleviate some pressure on global oil prices, particularly if it coincides with any potential disruptions from other major producers. Additionally, this development may challenge OPEC's ability to manage supply effectively, especially if Iraq's ambitions lead to a divergence from OPEC+ production agreements. Investors should closely monitor how this increase in Iraqi output interacts with existing supply constraints and demand signals, particularly in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions. The U.S. leveraging its position in Iraq could also lead to enhanced energy security for its allies, potentially reshaping energy trade routes and partnerships in the region. As the market digests these developments, fluctuations in oil prices may reflect the balance between increased supply from Iraq and the ongoing uncertainties stemming from conflicts involving Russia and Iran. Overall, the U.S. power play in Iraq is a significant factor that could influence both short-term and long-term trends in oil prices and energy markets.

Market Commentary

Update: US Equity Indexes Rise With Tech While Treasury Yields, Crude Oil Slide as Process to Tighten Noose Around Iran Begins

Crude oil prices have slid as the market reacts to rising US Treasury yields and geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran. The tightening measures being implemented against Iran are likely to create uncertainty in the oil markets, as any escalation could disrupt supply. Investors should be cautious, as these geopolitical risks often lead to volatility in crude prices. Additionally, the rise in US equity indexes, particularly in the tech sector, indicates a shift in investor sentiment that may divert attention away from energy investments. The current macroeconomic environment, characterized by higher yields, typically strengthens the dollar, which can further pressure oil prices as crude is dollar-denominated. As the market digests these developments, the potential for increased US production remains a critical factor, especially if domestic output continues to rise in response to price signals. Inventory data will be closely watched in the coming weeks, as any significant drawdowns could provide support for prices. Refinery capacity utilization also plays a crucial role; if refineries are operating at lower rates, it could lead to a build-up in crude inventories, further weighing on prices. Overall, the combination of geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic shifts, and domestic production trends suggests a complex landscape for oil prices in the near term. Investors should remain vigilant and prepared for potential fluctuations as these factors unfold.

Market Commentary

SPR Sinks Toward Operational Minimum as U.S. Crude Inventories Build

Crude oil prices are under pressure as U.S. crude inventories continue to build, with the American Petroleum Institute reporting a surprising increase of 4.2 million barrels for the week ending August 21, significantly above the anticipated 1.9 million-barrel rise. This marks a stark contrast to the previous week’s decline of 328,000 barrels, indicating a shift in supply dynamics. The ongoing drawdown from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has contributed to a tighter market, but with commercial crude oil inventories excluding the SPR down by over 45 million barrels in the last nineteen weeks, the current build suggests a potential oversupply scenario. Year-to-date, U.S. crude inventories have increased by 5.8 million barrels, highlighting a growing trend that could weigh on prices if it continues. The SPR is now nearing operational minimum levels, which raises concerns about the government's ability to respond to future supply disruptions. Investors should note that this inventory build could signal weakening demand or increased production, both of which could further depress prices. Additionally, the market is likely to react to any shifts in OPEC's output strategy, especially if they perceive the U.S. inventory situation as a threat to their pricing power. As geopolitical tensions persist and inflationary pressures remain, the interplay between supply and demand will be critical in determining the trajectory of oil prices in the coming weeks. The current market sentiment is cautious, and traders will be closely monitoring upcoming inventory reports and any changes in production levels. Overall, the combination of rising inventories and a dwindling SPR could lead to increased volatility in the oil markets.

Market Commentary

U.S. Refiners Face New Crude Squeeze as Canada Cuts Oil Sands Output

U.S. refiners are poised to face a new crude squeeze as Canada enters its oil sands maintenance season, which is expected to reduce Canadian crude oil production by 300,000 barrels per day in September. This decline comes at a time when U.S. refineries have been operating at full capacity to compensate for lost fuel supplies from the Middle East, and they have been achieving record fuel exports. The anticipated drop in Canadian output could disrupt the delicate balance that U.S. refiners have maintained, particularly as they rely on imports to meet domestic demand. Typically, seasonal disruptions like this are mitigated by drawing from storage reserves; however, current inventory levels may not be sufficient to cover the shortfall. This situation could lead to tighter supply conditions in the U.S. market, potentially driving up crude prices as refiners compete for available barrels. Additionally, with ongoing geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures, any further strain on supply could exacerbate price volatility. Investors should closely monitor how this maintenance season unfolds, as it could significantly impact refinery margins and overall market dynamics. The interplay between U.S. demand and Canadian supply will be critical in determining the trajectory of oil prices in the coming weeks. As the market adjusts to these developments, the implications for energy investments could be substantial.

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Par Pacific to sell Laramie Energy assets in $485M deal

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

SLB gains access to Venezuela oilfield data through contract - Reuters

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Chevron stock turns heads as company strikes fresh oil

A new oil find off the coast of Angola pushed Chevron stock near record highs.

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Southern Energy Corp. reports Q2 results

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Sector Update: Energy Stocks Fall Tuesday

Energy stocks fell Tuesday with the NYSE Energy Sector Index declining 1.1% and the State Street Ene

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Exxon Falls as Oil Erases the Iran Premium

The market is treating fresh sanctions as negotiation pressure rather than an immediate threat to global supply.

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Chevron Falls as Oil Surrenders the Iran Premium

Record production protects cash flow, but Tuesday's crude reversal attacks the earnings leverage investors recently rewarded.

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Satellite Images Show Seven Tankers Loading Iraqi Crude at Once

Seven crude carriers were moored at Iraq’s Persian Gulf export facilities on August 24—a sharp increase from recent weeks. The carriers had a combined carrying capacity of roughly 13 million barrels, according to satellite imagery analyzed by Bloomberg. TankerTrackers.com separately said it counted and identified 13 million barrels loading Monday at Iraq’s Al Basrah Oil Terminal. That is a dramatic departure from the past several weeks, when satellite passes typically showed just one or two tankers at Iraq’s offshore export…

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Is Valero Energy (VLO) Fully Valued As Shares Trade Above Fair Value?

Recent performance and what it might mean for Valero Energy investors Valero Energy (VLO) has drawn investor attention after a period of strong share price performance, with the stock up about 14% over the past month and about 43% over the past 3 months. See our latest analysis for Valero Energy. Zooming out, Valero Energy’s share price has eased slightly over the past week but still shows strong momentum this year, with a 109.3% year to date share price return and a 140.18% total shareholder...

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Tuktu Resources: Second Quarter 2026 Results

(TSXV:TUK) Tuktu Resources Ltd. announced its financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026. Petroleum and natural gas sales were $1,447,291 for the three months ended June 30, 2026, and $2,888,357 for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Production volumes averaged 393 boe/d (70% natural gas, 30% crude oil) in Q2 2026, a decrease of 37% from 622 boe/d in Q2 2025. Oil production decreased to 116 bbl/d during the quarter, compared to 298 bbl/d in the comparable period in 2025. The company's low decline natural gas assets contributed 1,662 mcf/d compared to 1,943 mcf/d in Q2 of the prior year. Operating netbacks increased to $10.09/boe from $9.66/boe in 2025. The company sold its remaining 10% working interest in the Isintok property.

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Critical Minerals Group Positions for Downstream Vanadium Market

(ASX:CMG) Critical Minerals Group is advancing a mine-to-market strategy focused on battery-grade vanadium, targeting both primary extraction and downstream energy storage applications. The company is building an integrated supply chain anchored by its flagship Lindfield Vanadium Project in north-west Queensland, with plans for downstream electrolyte production. The Lindfield Vanadium Project holds a JORC resource estimate of 713 Mt @ 0.32% V₂O₅ (vanadium pentoxide). Production plans target approximately 10,000 tonnes per annum of V₂O₅, accompanied by molybdenum by-product processing (~400 tpa). The company has proposed establishing a specialised vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility located at the Parkes Special Activation Precinct in New South Wales. The company reported a pre-tax NPV of AUD $821 million and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 26.6% for the integrated operations. Initial capital expenditure for the mine and downstream facility is estimated at AUD $981 million, with estimated peak funding of AUD $736 million.

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

80 Mile: European Sustainability Accreditation

(AIM:80M) 80 Mile PLC announced that its 100% owned subsidiary Hydrogen Valley has secured both the Italian National Sustainability Certification Scheme (INS) and the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) for the Greenswitch S.r.l. Ferrandina biodiesel facility in southern Italy. These certifications confirm that products from the Ferrandina plant meet the sustainability, traceability and greenhouse gas emissions-saving criteria required under Italian and European Union renewable fuels regulations. The combination of INS and ISCC certification enables Greenswitch's products to qualify for "double counting" treatment under the Italian biodiesel obligation system and for the associated Certificati di Immissione in Consumo (CIC) regime administered by the GSE. Based on recent market values for advanced CICs, qualifying product has commonly attracted a material premium, often in the order of €300-500+ per tonne depending on feedstock, GHG savings and prevailing certificate prices. 80 Mile's Jameson Project covers 8,429km2 across three licences in East Greenland and represents one of the world's largest remaining untapped gas and liquids-rich basins, with an independent 2025 assessment by Sproule ERCE estimating the basin contains 13.03 billion barrels (P10) of recoverable oil, with 80 Mile's retained interest equating to 3.9 billion barrels. In 2025, a milestone agreement with March GL (to be renamed Greenland Energy Co, NASDAQ: GLND) enabled plans for two fully funded 3,500-metre drill holes into the basin. The Dundas Project, located on Greenland's northwest coast, has a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource of 117 million tonnes at 6.1% ilmenite, with a late-2024 maiden exploration target of up to 540 million tonnes of additional ilmenite-bearing material.

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Tethys Petroleum: Interim Results and Corporate Update

(TSXV:TPL) Tethys Petroleum Limited announced that it has filed its interim results for the three months ended June 30, 2026 with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities comprising its Unaudited Financial Statements together with Management's Discussion and Analysis and other required forms. Oil and gas sales increased by 70% to $10.4 million in the second quarter of 2026 from $6.1 million in 2025 due to increased oil production and commencing processing crude oil into refined products during the quarter. The net loss for the period was $.01 million compared with the net profit of $1.3 million in 2025. Revenues for Q2 improved from Q2 2025 but oil production levels fell short of expectations due primarily to technical failures in gas turbines. The Company has purchased a second gas compressor, which is currently being installed at the Kul-Bas Central Processing Facility. Average oil production in August is currently estimated to be approximately 275 tons per day (2,200 bopd). Assuming the successful repair of one of the gas turbines by the end of August, average daily oil production is expected to increase to approximately 420 tons per day (3,360 bopd). Subsequently, following the repair of the second gas turbine and commissioning of the second gas compressor, average daily oil production is expected to further increase to approximately 645 tons per day (5,160 bopd) in October.

Market CommentaryAugust 25, 2026

Ukraine Attacks Oil Refinery, Gas Plant in Russia

The attack on an oil refinery and gas-processing plant in Russia by Ukraine signifies a critical escalation in the ongoing conflict, with immediate implications for global energy prices and market stability. Such actions can disrupt supply chains and raise concerns about the reliability of Russian energy exports, particularly as Europe continues to navigate its dependence on Russian oil and gas. This incident could lead to heightened geopolitical tensions, prompting traders to price in risk premiums that could push Brent crude prices above recent resistance levels. Additionally, any significant damage to these facilities could exacerbate the already tight supply situation in the global oil market, especially as OPEC+ continues to manage production cuts to support prices. The potential for retaliatory measures from Russia could further complicate the energy landscape, leading to fears of broader supply disruptions. Furthermore, this attack could catalyze a shift in energy procurement strategies among European nations, accelerating the transition to alternative sources and renewables, which would have long-term implications for oil demand. As the conflict unfolds, the market will be closely monitoring any retaliatory actions or countermeasures that could impact production capabilities. Investors should brace for volatility, as the interplay between military actions and energy supply dynamics could lead to unpredictable price swings in the short term. Overall, this incident underscores the fragility of the current energy market and the profound impact geopolitical events can have on oil prices and supply-demand fundamentals.

Market CommentaryAugust 25, 2026

Hormuz Crisis Boosts Appeal of $42 Billion Tanzania LNG Project

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz significantly enhances the attractiveness of the $42 billion Tanzania LNG project, as energy investors increasingly seek alternatives to the volatile Middle Eastern supply routes. With tensions disrupting liquefied natural gas flows through this critical chokepoint, the urgency for reliable and stable energy sources is paramount, positioning Tanzania as a potential key player in the global LNG market. Equinor's recognition of this opportunity underscores a broader shift in investment strategies, as companies pivot towards projects that promise security and resilience against geopolitical risks. However, the protracted negotiations between Equinor, Shell, and Tanzanian authorities present a cautionary tale; while the crisis amplifies the project's appeal, the lack of progress over the years raises concerns about its feasibility and timeline. The urgency to develop alternative supply chains could lead to increased competition for resources and investment in regions previously overlooked, thereby reshaping global LNG dynamics. As energy prices remain sensitive to geopolitical developments, any delays in advancing the Tanzania LNG project could exacerbate supply constraints, pushing prices higher in the short term. Furthermore, the crisis may catalyze a reevaluation of energy security policies among importing nations, prompting them to diversify their energy portfolios further. In this context, the potential of Tanzania's LNG becomes not just a matter of economic opportunity, but a strategic imperative for energy security in a world increasingly fraught with geopolitical uncertainties. As the market watches closely, the interplay between supply disruptions and the pace of project development will be critical in determining future price trajectories and investment flows in the LNG sector.

Market CommentaryAugust 25, 2026

Oil Down as Traders Weigh US Sanctions Threat Against Iran

The recent decline in oil prices reflects a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions and market sentiment, particularly regarding the United States' shifting strategy towards Iran. As traders digest the implications of potential economic sanctions rather than immediate military action, the market has reacted by easing fears of supply disruptions that would typically drive prices higher. The absence of a clear timeline or specific targets for these sanctions creates uncertainty, which can lead to volatility but also suggests that immediate threats to oil supply from the region may be less acute than previously feared. This situation underscores the delicate balance that exists in the oil market, where geopolitical risks can quickly shift sentiment and influence pricing. Furthermore, the prospect of sanctions could still have longer-term implications for Iranian oil exports, which, if fully enforced, could tighten global supply and support prices in the future. However, for now, the market appears to be prioritizing short-term stability over long-term risks, leading to a cautious approach among investors. The broader macroeconomic picture remains influenced by OPEC's production decisions and the ongoing recovery in global demand. As traders weigh these factors, the current dip in prices may present a buying opportunity for those anticipating a tighter market as geopolitical tensions evolve. Ultimately, the situation demands close monitoring, as any escalation in U.S.-Iran relations could quickly reverse the current trend and lead to significant price spikes.

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

bp awards Halliburton drilling services contract for Bumerangue appraisal

(World Oil) bp has awarded Halliburton an integrated drilling services contract for the first appraisal campaign at the Bumerangue field offshore Brazil, as the operator [ ]

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Oil hits one-week low as investors shrug off US sanctions on Iran

(Investing) Oil prices fell 3% to a one-week low on Tuesday as traders shrugged off the latest U.S. sanctions campaign against [ ]

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Shell's $8B Chemicals Exit Signals a Sharper Oil and Gas Focus

SHEL's potential $8B U.S. chemicals exit marks a sharper focus on oil and gas as it cuts costs and reshapes capital allocation.

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Hormuz Crisis Boosts Appeal of $42-Billion Tanzania LNG

Equinor sees a multi-billion LNG export project in Tanzania becoming more attractive for development amid the Middle East conflict that has crippled liquefied natural gas supply through the Strait of Hormuz, a senior executive at the Norwegian energy major said on Tuesday. However, Equinor and its co-operator of the project, Shell, have been locked in difficult negotiations with the government and authorities in Tanzania for years and the provisional Tanzania LNG project has not advanced much this decade. “You don t want to wait too long…

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Crude oil adds to losses as investors in 'wait-and-see mode' over Iran sanctions

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Marathon vs. Valero: Which Refining Stock Is the Better Buy Now?

MPC offers a cheaper valuation and MPLX stability, but VLO's stronger balance sheet and momentum give it the edge in this refiner face-off.

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Cheniere Energy (LNG) Stock Looks Reasonable Following LNG Capacity Growth News

Cheniere Energy stock has delivered a very strong 231.8% return over the past 5 years, yet its latest valuation checks lean more cautious and flag the shares as not obviously cheap overall. Over the last 5 years, a 231.8% total return puts Cheniere Energy among the stronger performers and raises the bar for what counts as attractive value from here. Expectations that expanding LNG capacity can support future cash generation are central to the bull case, while exposure to LNG linked...

Company NewsAugust 25, 2026

Shell pauses Aphrodite offshore gas project in Trinidad - report