Norway's state oil company Equinor reported nearly doubled profits of $11.5bn in Q2, exceeding predictions, driven by increased oil and gas production and soaring prices due to the war against Iran and a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Energy experts predict it will take months for companies to resume operations and meet global demand due to slow shipping, refining, and uncertainty over safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices slipped following the deal announcement, but remain elevated.
Oil and gas prices plummet as financial markets anticipate a US-Iran peace deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. European stock markets surged, with Milan's FTSE MIB breaking a 26-year record.
Green infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia face uncertainty due to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted aluminium supplies following Iranian attacks on Middle Eastern smelters. Aluminium prices have surged, with significant production losses expected.
India’s military is exploring alternative energy sources amid surging oil and gas prices caused by supply disruption from the Iran war, a trend that analysts say is set to accelerate among other Asian countries heavily dependent on energy imports. According to local media reports, the Indian army plans to get biogas stoves to replace natural gas-fired appliances for cooking. It is also exploring the use of green fuels for army vehicles and administrative work, as well as solar and wind power for...
Firm benefits from conflict to rake in $6.9bn as higher energy prices turbo-charge profitsShell has reported better than expected profits of $6.9bn after its oil traders reaped the benefits of soaring energy prices during the war in Iran, angering climate campaigners.Higher oil and gas prices during the Middle East conflict helped Europe’s biggest oil and gas company post a 115% jump in first-quarter profits from the $3.2bn reported in the last three months of 2025, easily surpassing the $6.4bn forecast by City analysts. Continue reading...
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy has announced the strait of Hormuz could reopen following the end of ‘threats from aggressors’Job vacancies in the UK bounced back in March but remained near a five-year low, and openings for graduates slumped more than a third.UK job vacancies showed signs of recovery in March, rising 3.74% month-on-month to 752,711 – the second monthly increase after an extended period of decline, according to the job matching platform Adzuna. Yet despite this tentative rebound, the overall picture remains tough for job seekers. Vacancies are still 13.60% lower than in March 2025, and the market remains near its weakest level since 2021.Like BP last week, these are unearned windfall profits driven by Trump’s war with Iran.Equinor now wants to cash in even more by developing the Rosebank oil field, which would be a terrible deal for the UK. This government must put the needs of the British public – for affordable energy and a safe climate – ahead of this Norwegian oil giant’s relentless pursuit of profit. Continue reading...
Singapore’s Grab reported first-quarter profit that exceeded analysts’ estimates, helped by resilient demand for ride hailing and delivery in a market rattled by economic and political challenges. Southeast Asia’s biggest ride-hailing and delivery firm has been trying to boost spending on its platform by incorporating artificial-intelligence features into its superapp and bundling its core ride-hailing, delivery and financial services. With oil and gas prices soaring due to the war in the Middle...
NPR's Steve Inskeep asks business news analyst Jill Schlesinger how high oil and gas prices from the Iran war affect consumer budgets.
Oil and gas prices surge as reports indicate the US may extend its blockade of Iranian ports for months. Brent crude rose 5% to almost $117 a barrel, approaching the highest level since the Iran war began. UK gas prices also increased 5%, while the FTSE 100 fell 1.2% to its lowest level since April 1. President Trump met with energy company executives to discuss measures to calm oil markets amid the prolonged blockade.
The UAE has announced it will quit Opec and Opec+ from 1 May, marking a pivotal moment for global energy markets. While analysts say the near-term implications are limited due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade preventing oil shipments, the move could allow the UAE to increase production once the conflict ends and push down prices long-term. The UAE has been dissatisfied with Opec quotas it considers unfair constraints on its infrastructure investments.
BP has reported nearly $3.2bn profit in Q1 2026, more than double year-earlier levels, driven by exceptional oil trading and surging energy prices since the Iran war began at the end of February. The oil major's new CEO Meg O'Neill acknowledged the "environment of conflict and complexity". Meanwhile, the UAE announced it is quitting Opec from 1 May, and UK government borrowing costs approached levels last seen during the 2008 financial crisis, with 10-year gilt yields at 5.02%. Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged to maintain the 38% windfall tax on oil and gas companies.
BP's first-quarter profits nearly doubled to $3.2bn, driven by soaring energy prices due to the Iran war and strong oil trading performance. The company acknowledges the complex geopolitical environment while facing potential disruptions.
BP reported underlying profits of $3.2bn for Q1 2026, more than double the $1.38bn from the same period last year, beating City forecasts of $2.67bn. The energy giant said profits were driven by an exceptional oil trading contribution as oil prices surged following the US-Israel war on Iran that began in late February, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked.
Brent crude hits highest level since the US and Iran first agreed a ceasefire in early AprilRetail sales rise in Britain after Iran war prompted ‘panic at the pumps’Trump says he will ‘probably put a big tariff on the UK’ if it doesn’t drop digital services taxSarah Breeden’s warning that share prices do not reflect the many risks facing the global economy may have pushed the market down this morning, suggests Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.He explains:The stock market reflects what investors think will happen in the future. While markets have been wobbly since the Middle East conflict unfolded, they didn’t pull back sharply in the early stages of the crisis, and more recently they’ve shown resilience. That suggests investors are confident the war will end quickly, and elevated oil and gas prices will retreat as supply is restored.Oil prices currently trade at $105 per barrel which is higher than the sub-$70 price seen at the start of 2026, but below the $120+ level when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. One could argue current oil prices are high enough to cause pain for businesses and consumers as everything becomes more expensive. There are already signs it is causing problems for companies as they report cautious outlook statements.Companies are considerably more pessimistic about the coming months.The German economy is being hit hard by the Iran crisis. Continue reading...
Bank of England deputy governor Sarah Breeden has warned that global stock markets are overvalued and vulnerable to a correction. Meanwhile, the ongoing Iran conflict continues to disrupt energy supplies, fueling inflation and dampening business confidence across Europe.
Sarah Breeden explains ‘I’m not saying it will happen today, tomorrow, in 12 months’ time’, but system needs to be resilientSarah Breeden’s warning that share prices do not reflect the many risks facing the global economy may have pushed the market down this morning, suggests Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.He explains:“The stock market reflects what investors think will happen in the future. While markets have been wobbly since the Middle East conflict unfolded, they didn’t pull back sharply in the early stages of the crisis, and more recently they’ve shown resilience. That suggests investors are confident the war will end quickly, and elevated oil and gas prices will retreat as supply is restored.“Oil prices currently trade at $105 per barrel which is higher than the sub-$70 price seen at the start of 2026, but below the $120+ level when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. One could argue current oil prices are high enough to cause pain for businesses and consumers as everything becomes more expensive. There are already signs it is causing problems for companies as they report cautious outlook statements.“Companies are considerably more pessimistic about the coming months“The German economy is being hit hard by the Iran crisis.” Continue reading...
The surge in oil and gas prices caused by the Iran conflict has significantly narrowed the cost disparity between green and grey hydrogen, potentially accelerating the adoption of clean fuel across Asia.
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsTehran has ‘no plans to participate’ in new talks, state media reports, as it accuses US of violating ceasefireEnergy producers are benefitting from the jump in the oil and gas price.BP (+2.7%) and Shell (+2.4%) are leading the FTSE 100 risers. Continue reading...
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsTehran has ‘no plans to participate’ in new talks, state media reports, as it accuses US of violating ceasefireEnergy producers are benefitting from the jump in the oil and gas price.BP (++2.7%) and Shell (_+2.4%) are leading the FTSE 100 risers. Continue reading...
