U S Iran Talks

Natural gas moved higher as traders assessed Gulf production disruptions tied to Hurricane Isaias. WTI and Brent also advanced as market participants priced in the risk of further Middle East escalation and tighter refined product conditions.

US equity indices moved higher as a sharp retreat in oil prices helped improve risk sentiment and offset mixed economic data. Tech, chip, industrial and healthcare stocks led gains, while energy shares came under pressure.

WTI and Brent weakened as traders weighed diplomatic headlines, a sharp fall in gasoline futures and talk of a possible U.S. diesel export ban. Hormuz traffic remains deeply constrained, keeping a supply-risk floor under a market still testing key technical levels.

Oil prices remain caught between weaker demand expectations, a sharp rise in U.S. crude inventories, and persistent Middle East supply risks. Technical traders are watching $87 and $97 on WTI, while Brent needs to clear $92 to strengthen the path toward $100.

WTI and Brent begin the week with traders focused on whether supply risk around Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Saudi export infrastructure can keep the crude rally alive. Alternative barrels are getting more expensive as refiners chase supplies outside the Middle East while diplomacy competes with continued military escalation.

Gold and silver prices rebounded after soft U.S. labor data reduced expectations for another Federal Reserve rate increase and weighed on the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields. Technical traders are watching whether gold can clear $4,200 and whether silver can break above $64.50 to confirm a stronger recovery.