Rich Asplund on 07/17/2026

Escalation of US-Iran Hostilities Pushes Crude Oil Sharply Higher

August WTI crude oil (CLQ26 ) on Friday closed up +3.54 (+4.48%), and August RBOB gasoline (RBQ26 ) closed up +0.1080 (+3.29%). Crude oil and gasoline prices rallied sharply on Friday, with crude posting a 5-week high and gasoline posting a 2-month high. Crude prices surged on Friday amid heightene

R Rich Asplund
Rich Asplund on 07/17/2026

Nat-Gas Prices Supported by a Surge in European Gas Prices

August Nymex natural gas (NGQ26 ) on Friday closed up +0.053 (+1.85%). Nat-gas prices settled higher on Friday, garnering carry-over support from a sharp rally in European nat-gas prices to a 3.75-month high. Prices rallied on concern that escalation of the US-Iran conflict will keep the Strait of

R Rich Asplund
Rich Asplund on 07/17/2026

Crude Oil Prices Soar as the US and Iran Escalate Attacks

August WTI crude oil (CLQ26 ) today is up +2.16 (+2.74%), and August RBOB gasoline (RBQ26 ) is up +0.1049 (+3.19%). Crude oil and gasoline prices are moving sharply higher today, with crude posting a 1-month high and gasoline posting a 7-week high. Crude is rallying today on heightened concerns...S

R Rich Asplund
Daniel White on 07/17/2026

Energy Update - Morning Express - Blue Line Futures

The war with Iran is escalating this morning as the IRGC instructed the Houthi's in Yemen to close the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea if the US strikes Iran's power network.Crude Oil pumpjack at sunset by Zbynek Burival via Unsplash

D Daniel White
Neha Panjwani on 07/17/2026

Pinnacle West Capital Earnings Preview: What to Expect

Pinnacle West Capital will release its second-quarter earnings next month, and analysts anticipate a single-digit profit dip.Pinnacle West Capital Logo on Phone Screen, Company Icon By Postmodern Studio

N Neha Panjwani
Rich Asplund on 07/16/2026

Dollar Strength Sparks Long Liquidation in Crude Oil Futures

August WTI crude oil (CLQ26 ) on Thursday closed down -0.65 (-0.82%), and August RBOB gasoline (RBQ26 ) closed down -0.0162 (-0.49%). Crude oil and gasoline prices gave up early gains on Thursday and settled lower, as a stronger dollar sparked profit-taking and long liquidation. Crude prices are su

R Rich Asplund
Rich Asplund on 07/16/2026

Nat-Gas Prices Fall on a Larger-Than-Expected Inventory Build

August Nymex natural gas (NGQ26 ) on Thursday closed down -0.066 (-2.26%). Nat-gas prices fell to a 2-month low on Tuesday and settled sharply lower after weekly nat-gas inventories rose more than expected. The EIA reported that nat-gas inventories increased by +41 bcf in the week ended July 10, ab

R Rich Asplund
Rich Asplund on 07/16/2026

Crude Oil Prices Weaken on Dollar Strength

August WTI crude oil (CLQ26 ) today is down -0.24 (-0.30%), and August RBOB gasoline (RBQ26 ) is down -0.0088 (-0.27%). Crude oil and gasoline prices are slightly lower today, weighed down by a stronger dollar. Crude prices are supported by heightened US-Iran tensions, which have reduced crude oil

R Rich Asplund
Daniel White on 07/16/2026

Energy Update - Morning Express - Blue Line Futures

The war with Iran is escalating this morning as the IRGC instructed the Houthi's in Yemen to close the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea if the US strikes Iran's power network. The Bab el-Mandeb gateway is another crucial chokepoint to global trade, linking the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea and onto

D Daniel White
Rich Asplund on 07/15/2026

Crude Oil Prices Move Higher on the Prospects of Tighter Global Supplies

August WTI crude oil (CLQ26 ) on Wednesday closed up +0.26 (+0.33%), and August RBOB gasoline (RBQ26 ) closed up +0.0736 (+2.28%). Crude oil and gasoline prices settled higher on Wednesday, with gasoline up sharply at a 7-week high. Crude prices found support after the US launched airstrikes against

R Rich Asplund
Rich Asplund on 07/15/2026

Forecasts for Hot US Temps Boost Nat-Gas Prices

August Nymex natural gas (NGQ26 ) on Wednesday closed up +0.020 (+0.69%). Nat-gas prices settled higher on Wednesday as forecasts for above-average US temperatures are expected to boost nat-gas demand from electricity suppliers to power air-conditioning. The Commodity Weather Group on Wednesday sai

R Rich Asplund
Rich Asplund on 07/15/2026

Crude Oil Prices Erase Early Gains on a Bearish EIA Inventory Report

August WTI crude oil (CLQ26 ) today is down -0.54 (-0.68%), and August RBOB gasoline (RBQ26 ) is up +0.0206 (+0.64%). Crude oil and gasoline prices are mixed today. Crude prices gave up an early advance and turned lower today on a bearish weekly EIA inventory report. Crude prices initially...Stack

R Rich Asplund
Daniel White on 07/15/2026

Energy Update - Morning Express - Blue Line Futures

The war with Iran is continuing with a new wave of strikes being initiated by the US this morning. Through this week, the two sides have traded strikes with Iran again striking Gulf neighbors in retaliation. The Strait of Hormuz is reclosed again, but the US and Oman seem to have momentum in gaining

D Daniel White
Rich Asplund on 07/14/2026

Crude Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Hostilities Continue

August WTI crude oil (CLQ26 ) on Tuesday closed up +1.20 (+1.54%), and August RBOB gasoline (RBQ26 ) closed up +0.0610 (+1.93%). Crude oil and gasoline prices added to Monday’s gains on Tuesday, with crude posting a 1-month high and gasoline posting a 1.5-month high. Crude prices are climbing as...

R Rich Asplund
Rich Asplund on 07/14/2026

Nat-Gas Prices Consolidate Above Monday’s 2-Month Low

August Nymex natural gas (NGQ26 ) on Tuesday closed up +0.007 (+0.24%). Nat-gas prices settled slightly higher on Tuesday as they consolidated above Monday’s 2-month low. The outlook for cooler US temperatures is weighing on prices, as the cooler weather could reduce nat-gas demand from electricity

R Rich Asplund
Rich Asplund on 07/14/2026

Crude Oil Prices Climb as US-Iran Truce Collapses

August WTI crude oil (CLQ26 ) today is up +0.81 (+1.04%), and August RBOB gasoline (RBQ26 ) is up +0.0466 (+1.47%). Crude oil and gasoline prices added to Monday’s gains today, with crude posting a 1-month high and gasoline posting a 1.5-month high. Crude prices are climbing as the truce...Oil prod

R Rich Asplund
Daniel White on 07/14/2026

Energy Update - Morning Express - Blue Line Futures

WTI Crude Oil futures rose towards the $80 level as tanker attacks accelerated as the hot war with Iran continued. Iran struck two UAE flagged tankers taking the southern route (closer to Oman).Shipping containers by SHansche via iStock

D Daniel White