Several of the world’s largest oil companies knew for years that they were at risk of being fined for breaching sulfur-stockpiling regulations in Kazakhstan https://t.co/DgijqIoXlY ...

Oil prices slipped on Friday on signs the U.S. may engage in dialogue with Iran over its nuclear programme, reducing concerns of supply disruptions from a U.S. attack, though prices were on track for ... ...

Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration has eased some sanctions on the Venezuelan oil industry to boost production following the ousting of President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces [1] Group 1: Sanctions Easing - The easing of sanctions is aimed at expanding oil production in Venezuela [1] - This move indicates a shift in U.S. policy towards Venezuela's oil sector [1] Group 2: Political Context - The sanctions were originally imposed due to political and humanitarian concerns regarding the Maduro regime [1] - The U.S. government's actions reflect its strategic interests in the region following regime change [1]

Market Overview - The stock market closed mostly lower, with the Dow managing to finish slightly in the green, while the NASDAQ experienced its worst day in several months [1][2][3] - The S&P 500 ended with a minor loss of about 13 basis points, while the Russell 2000 small-cap index was also slightly down [3] Company Performance - Microsoft saw a significant drop, down approximately 10% at its lows, marking its worst performance in several months [4] - Tesla also declined by 3%, while Meta's stock rose by 10%, contributing to a strong performance in the communication services sector [4][5] - SanDisk reported a revenue of $3.03 billion, exceeding expectations of $2.68 billion, and its earnings per share came in at $620, significantly higher than the expected $344 [22][23] - SanDisk's stock has surged over 90% year-to-date, driven by high demand for memory products in the AI sector [24][25] Sector Analysis - The communication services sector reached a record high, while technology was the worst-performing sector, down 1.6%, primarily due to poor performance in software stocks [5][6] - The software industry faced widespread declines, with companies like SAP down 15% and Atlassian down 10% [6][7] - In the semiconductor space, companies like Lamb Research and KLA saw gains of about 3.5%, indicating a mixed performance within the sector [7] Geopolitical Impact on Oil - Crude oil prices rose to their highest levels since September, influenced by President Trump's threats of military action against Iran, which has led to a risk premium in the oil market [11][12] - Analysts noted that the market is not currently pricing in a full-scale conflict but is reacting to operational signals and geopolitical tensions [12][13] Housing Market Insights - US mortgage rates are holding steady at 6.1%, the lowest in three years, but housing affordability remains a challenge due to high home prices [44][45] - The "lock-in effect" is causing homeowners with low-rate mortgages to keep their homes off the market, contributing to tight inventory levels [48][50] - New home listings have increased, but they are still 20% below pre-pandemic levels, indicating a slow recovery in housing supply [50][56] Future Outlook - Analysts expect continued high demand for memory products, particularly in AI infrastructure, but caution against potential oversupply in the future as production ramps up [39][42] - The housing market may see improvements in inventory levels, but significant policy changes at the state and local levels are needed to address long-term supply issues [52][56]

Venezuelan MPs approve bill to open up oil sector to private firms https://t.co/qgTMSd0Z8u ...

Oil Futures Extend Gains on U.S.-Iran TensionsCONCLUDED[Stock Market News From Jan. 29, 2026: Nasdaq Slides as Microsoft Gets Pummeled]Last Updated:---5 hours ago# Oil Futures Extend Gains on U.S.-Iran TensionsByAnthony Harrup, Dow Jones NewswiresOil futures rise for a third straight session, settling at multimonth highs as U.S. military moves into the Middle East raise expectations of possible action against Iran.The market is leaning "further into a momentum-driven move rather than reacting to a single he ...

A funny thing happened on Dec. 16, 2025, aside from it being the 81st anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. On that date, shares of ExxonMobil and Chevron, two heavyweights of the U.S. energy industry, both hit lows. As of the close on Jan. 28, 2026, Exxon is up 14.3% since Dec. 16. Chevron is up 11.3%. The S&P 500 Energy Sector is up 15.6%. Alphabet, the best-performing Magnificent 7 tech stock since Dec. 16, is up just 9.3%. For now, energy is having a moment Suddenly, a piece ...

Core Viewpoint - The capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has sparked optimism in the commodities market, particularly regarding the potential for Western oil companies to access Venezuela's vast petroleum reserves [1] Group 1: Market Reactions - The State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEMKT: XLE) has increased by 10% year to date, indicating strong market enthusiasm [2] - ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), which constitutes 24% of the ETF, has outperformed with a gain of 12.2% since the beginning of 2026 [2] Group 2: Investment Considerations - While some investors are optimistic about ExxonMobil benefiting from regime change in Venezuela, caution is advised as the company has not operated in Venezuela since 2007 due to asset seizures [4][6] - Current operations in Venezuela are limited to Chevron (NYSE: CVX), making ExxonMobil's potential entry into the market uncertain and likely years away from yielding benefits [6][8] Group 3: Long-term Outlook - Although entering Venezuela could enhance ExxonMobil's long-term cash flows, the realization of these benefits is expected to take several years [5][9] - CEO Darren Woods has acknowledged opportunities in Venezuela, but investors should not expect immediate results from any potential agreements [7][8]

Oil prices extended their gains on Thursday on the back of simmering geopolitical tensions and concerns about the loss of supply. Concerns about a possible US military strike on Iran, OPEC's fourth-l... ...

🚨JUST IN: US OIL PRICES SURGE TO HIGHEST LEVELU.S. oil prices surge towards $65/barrel, hitting their highest level since September 29th.This comes amid Trump's ramp up threats against Iran recently. https://t.co/PepAHiece1 ...