Market Overview
Brent crude opened Week 22 at $97.78/bbl, plunging 5.56% on Monday before rebounding to $95.90 mid-week and settling near $94.56 by week's end. The persistent US–Iran negotiation deadlock kept risk sentiment elevated, but failed to prevent a net weekly decline of 3.3%. Physical commodity buyers faced heightened volatility, underscoring the importance of agile procurement strategies in a shifting geopolitical environment.
Key Market Themes — Week 22
- US–Iran Deadlock: Iran's insistence on gaining control over the Strait of Hormuz and full sanctions relief remained non-starters for Washington, stalling any progress on a nuclear deal. The White House's public dismissal of a reported draft agreement reinforced market perceptions of entrenched geopolitical risk, which continued to support a premium in Brent despite the weekly price slide.
- Crude Selloff & Mid-Week Recovery: Monday's sharp 5.56% drop reflected a wave of profit-taking and technical liquidation as speculative longs unwound positions amid growing doubts over a US–Iran breakthrough. Prices partially recovered toward $95.90 by mid-week on renewed geopolitical jitters but faded again as physical demand signals remained subdued.
- Refined Product Spreads: The turbulent flat-price action saw EN590 diesel crack spreads in ARA initially widen as prompt supply concerns flared, before compressing into the weekend alongside crude's continued decline. Jet A-1 differentials in Singapore and the Middle East mirrored this volatility, with cracks briefly strengthening on mid-week risk-off flows, then narrowing as end-users retreated to the sidelines.
- Forward Curve Signal: The consensus Brent forecast rising from $105.57 to $120.25/bbl over the next four quarters signals that physical cargo buyers should anticipate higher replacement costs in Q3 and Q4. Despite current softness, forward prices reinforce the need for proactive hedging and flexible sourcing strategies to manage potential upside risk.
Active Verified RFQs — Week 22
The following deals were active on the Skyra CIP marketplace during 25–31 May 2026. All participants have completed KYC verification.
See also: EN590 price · Jet A-1 price · Bunker fuel price · Brent crude price
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