Markets & Economy

Brent crude fell sharply this week after reports suggested the US and Iran are close to agreeing a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and potentially ease sanctions on Iranian oil exports. Prices dropped from around $105/bbl to $96/bbl before recovering towards $98/bbl following limited US and Israeli strikes near the Strait. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Brent crude climbed above $111 per barrel as renewed Middle East tensions rattled energy markets. Saudi Arabia and the UAE reported fresh drone strikes, with analysts suspecting Iranian-backed militias operating from Iraq or Yemen. At the same time, US-Iran negotiations remain stalled, while Tehran’s proposed control over Strait of Hormuz shipping routes is unlikely to satisfy Washington or Gulf allies. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Oil prices have risen after Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest nuclear proposal, increasing geopolitical uncertainty in energy markets. Details of the offer remain unclear, though reports suggest Iran may have proposed limiting uranium enrichment without dismantling nuclear infrastructure. Trump called the deal “totally unacceptable,” raising fears of prolonged negotiations or renewed conflict. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated again, with flashpoints centred on the Strait of Hormuz. Despite ongoing indirect negotiations, disagreements over the US naval blockade and Iran’s nuclear stance triggered renewed friction. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Oil prices continue climbing amid stalled US–Iran negotiations, sustaining geopolitical risk premiums critical for UK commodities markets. Uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved, with no clear timeline for reopening. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Oil markets are volatile as mixed signals from US–Iran diplomacy unsettle sentiment. Prices fell sharply on Friday, with Brent dropping from near $100/bbl to ~$85, after apparent progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but conflicting statements and a tanker attack suggest it remains closed. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

US–Iran talks stalled over the weekend, with Washington demanding firm guarantees that Tehran won’t pursue nuclear weapons. While Iran signalled more negotiations may follow, tensions rose after Trump threatened a targeted blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices opened higher, though the move reflects fading optimism from last week. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Tensions are rising as yet another Trump-imposed deadline on Iran looms, with the Strait of Hormuz at the center of a high-stakes geopolitical standoff. Despite escalating rhetoric and fragile backchannel diplomacy, markets have remained surprisingly calm, even as oil and refined product prices quietly surge beneath the surface. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

War in the Middle East continues to cost a long shadow over the global economy. Investec experts Callum McPherson, Head of Commodities; Philip Shaw, Chief Economist; and Clive Murray, Head of Equities, share the key updates. Investec

Geopolitical tensions in the Gulf have intensified, adding renewed upward pressure on global energy prices. President Donald Trump initially gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to comply could trigger strikes on Iranian power infrastructure. This raised concerns about a broader escalation, particularly the risk of retaliatory attacks on energy assets across the region. Markets found some short-term relief as the deadline was extended, first by five days and then by a further ten, with the current deadline now set for the 6th of April. While this suggests some room for diplomacy, the situation remains highly fragile. The continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is still a major concern. It is a critical artery for global oil supply, moving around 16 million barrels per day, which is close to 20% of global demand. Any prolonged closure has significant implications for energy markets. Looking ahead, uncertainty remains elevated. There is still a risk of furth

Global energy markets have entered a critical phase, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East threaten to spiral into a full-scale supply crisis. In this episode, we unpack the latest developments following Iran’s retaliatory strike on Qatar’s liquified natural gas facility, an attack that wiped out roughly 17% of its capacity and sent shockwaves through global markets. With vital energy infrastructure now directly in the firing line, the risk of prolonged disruption has surged to levels far beyond even a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Markets are sending a surprisingly calm signal in the face of escalating conflict with Iran. Oil prices are rising, supply chains are under pressure, and recession risks are quietly ticking higher, yet equities remain relatively steady. In the latest episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs is joined by Investec experts in SA and the UK - Callum Macpherson, Phil Shaw and Chris Holdsworth - to unpack what’s really at play. The conversation explores what could happen if the conflict continues, what key indicators markets are watching and what risks to the global economy are already emerging. Investec

Oil markets experienced extreme volatility last week as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East created significant uncertainty around global supply. Brent crude briefly surged toward $120/b, its highest level since 2022, as it became clear the conflict in the region could be prolonged. Prices later fell sharply, briefly nearing $81/b, after comments from president Donald Trump suggested the war was “pretty much” over, and a report circulated that the US had escorted a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. Markets were further calmed by an International Energy Agency agreement to release 400 million barrels from strategic reserves. Over the weekend, attention shifted to Iran’s Kharg Island export terminal, after Trump claimed nearby military facilities had been destroyed and suggested the oil terminal could also be targeted. Such an escalation could severely curtail Iranian exports and trigger retaliatory attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure. With continued strikes and limited reserve buffers, Br

With no sign of the Strait of Hormuz reopening, energy markets are facing an extraordinary supply shock. Around 20% of global oil supply has effectively become unavailable, pushing Brent crude above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022. While an emergency G7 meeting to discuss a coordinated reserves release, along with the drawdown of commercial inventories, may buy some time, these measures are temporary. If the conflict and the closure of the strait persist, demand will ultimately need to fall to match reduced supply. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Brent crude surged above $80 per barrel, after escalating conflict in the Middle East sharply increased fears of disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. Just days earlier, Brent had been trading near $73, with markets broadly assuming that US-Iran negotiations would continue. Escalation was recognised as a risk, but a large-scale disruption to Gulf shipping was not the base case. Over the weekend, that calculus changed. Insurance premiums on vessels transiting the Strait reportedly rose sharply or were withdrawn, naval assets were targeted, and conflicting statements around whether the Strait remains fully open have left markets navigating extreme uncertainty. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Oil reached a fresh yearly high as US-Iran tensions intensified, with Washington boosting military presence while leaving room for negotiations. Markets rallied after Trump suggested a 10–15 day window for a deal, though speculative positioning remains measured, with strong demand for high-strike call options signaling limited expectations of a major price surge. Meanwhile, European energy markets have also strengthened, with Summer 2026 gas and baseload power prices rising, partly driven by movements in emissions allowances. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Oil markets continue to gyrate as shifting signals from Washington and Tehran fuel uncertainty ahead of the next round of nuclear talks in Oman. Mixed rhetoric from both sides has left Brent caught between easing risk premium and renewed geopolitical tension, with traders closely watching for clearer direction. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Oil prices softened into the end of last week following talks between the U.S. and Iran, which were described by both sides as constructive. While the meeting has eased immediate fears and pushed Brent back to around $67/b from recent highs near $70/b, markets remain cautious given the long road ahead and persistent supply-side pressures. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Brent surged above $70/b last week, nearing $72/b, as markets priced in the risk of U.S. military action against Iran. Sentiment has since cooled after confirmation that talks are under way, with prices easing back toward $65/b. While the immediate risk premium has faded, uncertainty around the outcome of negotiations is likely to keep markets on edge. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec

Brent crude has climbed above $66/b this morning, its highest level since Iran-related tensions peaked earlier this month. The rally reflects renewed geopolitical nervousness and a series of supply-side disruptions, prompting markets to price in a higher short-term risk premium. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell financial instruments. This podcast does not constitute a personal recommendation and is not investment advice. Investec