WTI Crude Oil futures saw early session volatility as Iraq finalized a deal to reroute oil exports through Turkey, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Despite U.S. efforts to reopen key waterways, Iraqi output remains constrained at 1.4 million barrels per day, significantly lower than pre-conflict benchmarks. Central bankers are closely monitoring the energy sector as U.S. diesel prices surpass $5 per gallon, coinciding with the Federal Reserve's meeting on interest rates. In the natural gas market, prices have found stability around $3. While the Strait of Hormuz disruption has caused price spikes for LNG in Europe and Asia, U.S. Henry Hub prices are expected to remain stable due to high domestic terminal utilization. The EIA recently lowered its 2026 natural gas price forecast to $3.75 per BTU, reflecting expectations of milder weather.
FOLLOW THE MARKETS
Most Recent

CME Group is the world’s leading derivatives marketplace. The company is comprised of four Designated Contract Markets (DCMs). 
Further information on each exchange's rules and product listings can be found by clicking on the links to CME, CBOT, NYMEX and COMEX.

© 2026 CME Group Inc. All rights reserved.