As it happened: Stocks jitter on stalling US-Iran talks; OECD unemployment warning Markets Welcome back to the CityAM liveblog. Markets are being pulled in countless directions from the conflicting information emerging around the conflict in the Middle East. The FTSE 100 managed to shrug off some of these jitters yesterday and secure a finish 0.3 per cent higher as the price of oil slipped. But this morning [...]
Shell shares slump after earnings rocket on oil surge Energy Shell kicked off a mega share buyback following a bumper first quarter that breezed past expectations on the back of booming oil trading. The FTSE 100 oil major recorded earnings of $6.9bn (£5bn), cruising past the consensus pencilled in by analysts of $6.4bn. It also marked a significant uplift on the $3.3bn pocketed in the [...]
BP reports highest profits since 2023 off the back of Iran war Energy Oil and gas giant BP has reported its highest quarterly profit since 2023 in its latest trading update, as the group capitalised on rising oil prices sparked by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In its first results since the war in Iran broke out in February, BP reported a surge in profits to [...]
Energy price cap: Household bill spike could be lower than originally feared April 17, 2026 The household energy price cap is expected to rise by a lower amount than originally feared despite price volatility caused by the Iran war, according to the latest forecasts. The cap is expected to be £196 lower according to Cornwall Insight, who confirmed its prediction for Ofgem’s cap now stands at £1,837 for a typical [...]
BP toasts to ‘exceptional’ oil trading after Iran volatility April 14, 2026 Energy giant BP has forecast “exceptional” results in its oil trading division after a period of volatility in prices triggered by the war in the Middle East. The FTSE 100 oil major said upgraded its outlook on Tuesday, which marks a sharp recovery from the “weak” performance reported in the final quarter of 2025. The [...]
Trump tells Starmer to ‘go get your own oil’ March 31, 2026 President Donald Trump has told Sir Keir Starmer that the UK will have to “fight for yourself” as the US would not provide any support in fuel supplies. In another threat targeted at Starmer posted on his own social media platform, the US president mocked the UK’s struggles in obtaining jet fuel because of a [...]
Trump’s call to pause strikes in Iran boosts markets March 23, 2026 Global markets leaped on news that President Trump paused strikes on Iranian infrastructure as he hinted that negotiations had been “very good and productive”. Brent crude – the international benchmark for oil prices – plunged back to below $100 per barrle after having jumped to $112 earlier in the day. The FTSE 100 also rose [...]
Oil and gas prices surge after Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ Iran energy site March 19, 2026 The surging price of oil and gas rocked markets this morning as tensions across the Middle East continued to spike fears of an energy crisis. Brent crude – the international benchmark for oil – hit $113 this morning, one of the highest levels since the conflict broke out three weeks ago. Meanwhile the price of [...]
FTSE 100 Live: US stocks sink on open; Iran warns oil price could hit $200 March 9, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the CityAM liveblog. The chaos in global markets of last following the breakout of conflict in the Middle East is poised to continue as tensions in the Gulf showed no sign of slowing down over the weekend. The price of oil notched its highest gains in a single [...]
Iran war: Oil prices could reach $150 a barrel March 8, 2026 Oil prices could reach $150 (£112) by the end of the month if the severe disruption to the Strait of Hormuz is not eased, Goldman Sachs has warned. The bank said it will revise its oil price forecast soon unless it sees evidence that transit through the crucial shipping route is beginning to return to [...]