Oil traders focus on fundamentals, not geopolitics
Tolerance for perceived political risk has expanded, but such complacency could be dangerous
Gone are the days when a single incident involving an oil tanker carrying Saudi Arabian or other Mid-East Gulf crude could send oil prices soaring. Attacks on Saudi oil facilities have become an almost monthly affair recently, with minimal price impact. The market has become substantially more inured to geopolitical threats, after a year where the demand impact of global lockdowns has dominated traders’ thoughts. Largely positive developments such as the Abraham Accords and nuclear talks with Iran have added to a confidence that political risk is not a market-mover. But the consequences if these assumptions prove optimistic could be explosive. Oil markets have become less efficient in absorb

Also in this section
25 July 2025
Mozambique’s insurgency continues, but the security situation near the LNG site has significantly improved, with TotalEnergies aiming to lift its force majeure within months
25 July 2025
There is a bifurcation in the global oil market as China’s stockpiling contrasts with reduced inventories elsewhere
24 July 2025
The reaction to proposed sanctions on Russian oil buyers has been muted, suggesting trader fatigue with Trump’s frequent bold and erratic threats
24 July 2025
Trump energy policies and changing consumer trends to upend oil supply and demand