Brent: Hormuz risk premium fades, forecast steady – OCBC

FXStreet Insights Team FXStreet

OCBC’s Christopher Wong notes that easing US–Iran tensions have pushed Brent below USD80 as markets price a high probability of normalised Strait of Hormuz flows. However, ongoing operational frictions and precautionary stockpiling are expected to slow further downside in Oil prices, and OCBC maintains its end‑2026 Brent forecast at USD80 per barrel.

Normalising flows but downside seen limited

"Incremental progress in US Iran talks over the weekend has pushed Brent back below USD80 per barrel."

"Markets are now pricing a high probability of normalised Hormuz flows, despite lingering doubts over the durability of the US-Iran deal."

"We still think mine clearance, insurance reinstatement, production restarts will take time. This along with a likely pickup in precautionary stockpiling should slow further downside in oil prices."

"We maintain our end-2026 Brent forecast at USD80 per barrel."

(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

FXStreet

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

GBP/USD extends losses toward 1.3200 after weak UK PMI data

GBP/USD loses further ground toward 1.3200 in the European session on Tuesday. Political uncertainty in the United Kingdom weighs on the British Pound, alongside weak business PMI data for June. Meanwhile, the US Dollar capitalizes on the risk-off mood and hawkish Fed bets ahead of the US PMI release.

EUR/USD stays weak below 1.1450 after German, EU PMI data

EUR/USD struggles to stage a rebound and trades below 1.1450 in the European session on Tuesday, after the data from Germany showed that the Composite PMI declined to 48 in June from 48.8 May, while that from the Eurozone rose to 49.5. Meanwhile, the US Dollar holds the upper hand against the Euro amid risk-off sentiment and a hawkish Fed outlook, leaving the pair on the defensive. Traders now await the US PMI data.

Gold drops to nearly two-week low, seems vulnerable amid Fed hike bets, bullish USD

Gold adds to its Asian session losses, and drops to a nearly two-week low, around the $4,115 region in the last hour amid a bullish US Dollar. Despite positive signals from US-Iran peace talks, widespread skepticism remains toward a final deal. This helps the USD in preserving its recent strong gains to the highest level since May 2025.

Bears cap Solana below $75 as ETF, retail demand wanes

Solana edges below $72 risking a third consecutive day of losses that could erase the 5% gains from Friday. SOL-focused Exchange Traded Funds reflect muted demand from institutional investors following a minor recovery last week. Meanwhile, retail trading activity hints at a bearish positional buildup.

US S&P Global PMI expected to show steady business growth in June

S&P Global will release the June flash Purchasing Managers' Indices for most major economies, with the United States data scheduled on Tuesday. These surveys of top private-sector executives are seen as an early indicator of the country’s economic health.

Regime change: Inside Kevin Warsh's first move to make the Fed unreadable on purpose

The rate did not move. That was the least interesting thing about Kevin Warsh's first meeting in charge of the Fed. The FOMC held its benchmark at 3.50%-3.75% for the fourth straight meeting, exactly as priced, and then the new chair used his first press conference to dismantle the machinery the market has leaned on for a decade.