Crude Oil Futures: Rally has further legs to go

Pablo Piovano FXStreet

CME Group’s advanced prints for crude oil futures markets noted open interest went up for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, now by around 12.3K contracts. Volume followed suit and clinched the fifth straight build, this time by around 180.7K contracts.

WTI finally surpasses $80.00

WTI prices extended the intense rally on Thursday and briefly advanced beyond the key $80.00 mark per barrel. The move was accompanied by rising open interest and volume, which suggests that extra gains remain in the pipeline with the next target now emerging at November’s peak near $85.00 (November 10).

Author

Pablo Piovano

FXStreet

Born and bred in Argentina, Pablo has been carrying on with his passion for FX markets and trading since his first college years.

GBP/USD extends the drop to 1.3360

GBP/USD builds on Monday’s decline and briefly clinches five-day lows near 1.3360 on Tuesday. Cable’s extra pullback follows the better tone in the Greenback as uncertainty in the Middle East prompts investors to adopt a cautious stance. Meanwhile, an apathetic UK labour market report also collaborates with the selling pressure on the British Pound.

EUR/USD holds gains above 1.1400 on hawkish ECB expectations despite US-Iran tensions

The EUR/USD pair trades with mild gains around 1.1405 during the early Asian session on Wednesday. A hawkish tone from the European Central Bank provides some support to the Euro against the US Dollar. Traders await the upcoming ECB interest rate decision on Thursday.

Gold hits two-week highs above $4,100 despite widening Mideast conflict

Gold hits two-week highs above $4,100 in the Asian session on Wednesday. The bright metal seems to ride the optimistic wave that diplomatic efforts are underway. However, concerns about energy-driven inflation risks continue to fuel Fed rate-hike bets. They could act as a tailwind for the US Dollar amid widening US-Iran tensions, which, in turn, could cap the bullion.

The market runs back into AI despite higher Oil and yields

World stocks surged as traders made a spirited return to the market’s commanding centre of gravity, piling back into semiconductors, AI leaders and momentum, with the enthusiasm of a crowd rushing through the one door it still trusts. The Nasdaq led Wall Street higher, semiconductor shares jumped more than 5%, and momentum staged its strongest rebound in years.

The Iranian war has again risen

The Iranian war has again risen to the top of the economics factor list. There is no end in sight. Intelligence experts say the current level of offense/retaliation will not change minds in Tehran, while in Washington, Trump fears all-out war, which would mean boots on the ground.

US Dollar mid-year outlook: Exceptional currency, exceptional risks?

The US Dollar enters the second half of 2026 in a markedly different position from a year ago. The King currency has recovered, reflecting persistent US inflation, changing expectations for Fed policy, geopolitical tensions and renewed demand for defensive assets.