Friday's settlements; except live weekend prices for WTI, Brent and US nat gas from 24/7 on chain trading as of Sat, Nov 7, 5:36 AM ET. Click here for updated live weekend prices on the Commodity News web page. Click price for news.
Crude down slightly this morning (live Saturday on chain trading) with no weekend escalation in Iran yet. Brent settled Friday at $98.32 and WTI at $90.83, with the Brent-WTI spread at $7.49. Dutch TTF European nat gas settled down $5.09 (-6%) Friday on hopes of faster de-escalation in the Iran conflict after US midterm results and potential increased LNG flows through Hormuz. Newcastle coal (Aussie benchmark for Asia) down $3.85 (-3%) Friday on broader energy complex weakness. Palladium down $27 (-3%) on profit-taking after recent rebound and weaker tech/AI demand sentiment. Tin down $1152 (-2%) on AI stock rout and concerns over data center capital expenditure outlook. API2 Rotterdam coal down $3.25 (-2%) tracking the slide in European energy benchmarks and Newcastle coal prices.
Kicker: Saxo Bank sees current copper price setback as temporary amid physical tightness in China (Saxo Bank, Nov 6).
Drivers and the Kicker house view are sourced from third-party news and bank or desk commentary. Informational only, not trade advice. Past Kickers by commodity and house →
The week
Biggest moves of the week: Dutch TTF -17.7%, Brent -16.4%, WTI Crude -12.8%, Silver +5.8%, Gold +4.5%.
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Commodity Research Reports →6 reports picked for the weekend
🎧
Commodity Podcasts →5 episodes for the weekend
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Commodity Forward Curves →WTI, Brent, 3-2-1 crack and Henry Hub
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Week Ahead Commodity Diary →4 dated events in the week ahead
Trafigura Group has been buying large volumes of copper to boost sales into Asia as local supplies run low, adding to a scramble that pushed regional spot premiums to record highs. The Singapore-based trader approached producers and traders over the past two weeks for November-December volumes. Read →
The UN FAO food price index averaged 133.9 points in October, down 1.2% from September but up 5.9% year-over-year. Cheaper grains, dairy and meat offset a sharp sugar rally from weather disruptions in producing regions. Read →
BloombergNEF’s 2026 outlook shows nine of 10 transition metals on track for sufficient capacity through 2050, with graphite, platinum and steel shifting to surpluses. Earlier panic over shortages proved overblown despite subsidies and tariffs. Read →
Brazil approved its first list of 27 critical and strategic minerals under a new policy to attract investment and expand domestic processing. The move aims to reduce reliance on China and build local manufacturing capacity. Read →
The FAO Food Price Index averaged 133.9 points in October, down from a revised 135.6 in September and 5.9% above a year earlier. Cereal, dairy and meat prices declined on weaker demand while sugar rose 6.6%. Read →
Giulia Petroni and Farhan Rafid · Dow Jones / WSJ · Fri, Nov 6, 2026
Front-month Brent fell 0.7% to $97.59 and WTI 0.5% to $89.98 on Friday, both tracking for nearly 14% weekly losses. Traders await Washington's next Iran move after Democratic midterm gains raised de-escalation hopes; Saudi Aramco cut December Arab Light OSP to Asia by $2 to a $7 discount versus Oman/Dubai. Read →
OPEC crude production rose 930,000 bpd in October to 22.8 million bpd, or 88% of February levels, led by Saudi Arabia's rebound. Persian Gulf supplies recovered further with tanker flows resuming, pushing output toward pre-war norms amid ongoing regional disruptions. Read →
Charts of the day
1
Global distillates balances chart Nov 2026via @LSREnergy on X · 54 likesChart of global distillates balances in deficit with ME flows at 55% pre-war and Russia runs declining
Exceptionally mild early-November weather is expected to drive another week or two of above-average storage injections, potentially pushing Lower 48 inventories near 3.9 Tcf before the first net withdrawal. Analysts note that record LNG export growth raises the stakes for winter inventory levels, as a larger cushion may be needed to buffer against demand swings. The Oct. 30 EIA report showed a 77 Bcf injection to 3,801 Bcf, 54 Bcf above the five-year average. Read →
The EIA reported a 77 Bcf Lower 48 storage injection for the week ended Oct. 30, missing the 80 to 81 Bcf consensus and lifting inventories to 3,801 Bcf. The build widened the surplus versus the five-year average to 54 Bcf while remaining 109 Bcf below year-ago levels. Another above-average injection is expected next week given persistently mild weather. Read →
December NYMEX natural gas futures rose about 2% to near $3.00/MMBtu on Friday, supported by LNG feedgas flows on track for a daily record near 21 Bcf/d and minor upward revisions to late-November weather forecasts. Lower 48 output has eased from August peaks while LNG demand remains structurally strong. The contract posted a weekly gain despite the mild near-term demand backdrop. Read →
Cash prices advanced for weekend and Monday delivery as new supply stayed near seasonal lows and LNG feedgas demand remained robust. Total demand readings showed improvement while production readings were mixed. The moves occurred against a backdrop of mild weather limiting heating demand but with LNG providing a firm floor. Read →
With Hormuz and the Red Sea redrawing trade routes minute by minute, you need the quickest, most reliable source of truth. Kpler tracks commodity cargoes and the vessels carrying them. You can see exports, imports, floating storage and more as they develop in real time.
Kpler covers oil, products, gas, and dry bulk. Pair flows with refinery runs, inventories and freight analytics, and the story behind a price move becomes visible before the market has priced it in.
Targa announced a new 150 Mb/d NGL fractionator Train 14 at Mont Belvieu due online Q1 2029, lifting its hub capacity to 1.8 MMb/d, plus long-lead orders for additional Permian processing plants needed 2028 to 29. The moves respond to record Permian gas volumes (7.5 Bcf/d) and rising NGL supply feeding fractionation and exports. Read →
Energy Transfer reached FID on the 215-mile, 1.2 Bcf/d South Mississippi Pipeline (51% owned) for 2030 service and raised 2026 EBITDA guidance to $19.7 to 19.9B. NGL transportation, exports and fractionation volumes rose 6 to 9% YoY in Q3, with Frac X (200 Mb/d Mont Belvieu) and expanded Nederland ethane exports also advancing. Read →
Targa reported record Permian processing (7.5 Bcf/d) and NGL fractionation volumes (1.26 MMb/d), with Train 12 ramping full and Train 13 fully subscribed from startup. The company also detailed a 20-year ExxonMobil integrated midstream deal and Galena Park LPG export expansion to 625 Mb/d by Q3 2027. Read →
What's moving · TTF falls 5 to 6% to €85 to 87/MWh on mild weather and diplomacy hopes; JKM eases to $31.49/MMBtu with $3.77 arb premium.
Market
Last
1D
YTD
1Y
5Y
Dutch TTF €/MWh
85.59
-5.6% -5.09
+204%
+175%
+8.2%
Dutch TTF $/MMBtu
27.95
-5.6% -1.66
+204%
+175%
+8.2%
JKM $/MMBtu
31.49
-0.2% -0.08
+228%
+182%
-2.0%
EU gas storage · gas day Thu, Nov 5
EU gas storage is 73.4% full, 831 TWh in store, 16.3 points below the five-year average for this date and 9.6 points below a year ago. Germany, the bloc's largest store, is 60.0%, 28.9 points below its five-year average and 15.3 points below a year ago. LNG terminals are 52.9% full and sent out 4,293 GWh, 8% more than the day before.
JKM eased to $31.40/MMBtu for December delivery in the week to Nov 6, down from a prior-week high near $32.50, the strongest level since late 2022. Europe’s TTF hovered near €86/MWh while storage sat at 74% full, well below seasonal norms, sustaining competition for flexible Atlantic cargoes. US and Nigerian arbitrages continue favoring Europe over Asia. Read →
ERCOT day-ahead 7x24 prices rose 80% to $35.66/MWh for Nov 7 from $19.86/MWh prior day as wind forecasts fell. Real-time prices in the South load zone hit $166/MWh overnight on Nov 5 while other zones traded near $20/MWh due to a binding constraint. On-peak day-ahead cleared $33.97/MWh, up 91%. Read →
FERC issued show-cause orders to PJM, MISO, SPP, CAISO, ISO-NE and NYISO directing them to justify or revise tariffs governing data-center and large-load interconnections within 60 days. The move targets faster grid connections for AI-driven demand while protecting ratepayers and ensuring reliability. It builds on prior PJM co-location guidance and SPP’s High Impact Large Load process. Read →
Metallurgical coke prices held steady November 6 but face downside pressure from weak steel demand, mill losses, environmental curbs and spreading expectations of price cuts as buyers seek better margins. This softens demand for seaborne metallurgical coal as Chinese steelmakers prioritize lower-cost domestic or spot options. Read →
Northern Chinese port thermal coal prices showed modest recovery November 6 on tighter high-calorific spot cargoes and firmer mine-mouth offers from winter restocking, though divided buyer sentiment and caution cap further gains. High-CV grades firmed while overall market remains range-bound amid improving domestic supply signals. Read →
USDA reported soybean net sales of 1.46 million metric tons for the week ended Oct. 29, down 44% from the prior week, with China buying 873,900 tons. Corn sales totaled 1.29 million metric tons, little changed, while exports hit 1.03 million tons, up 86%. Wheat sales fell 37% to 538,000 metric tons. Read →
What's moving · US ammonia hits $875/short ton as Trinidad supply cuts tighten nitrogen markets.
Market
Last
1D
YTD
1Y
5Y
Urea
China (ZCE) CNY/t
1,736
+0.1% +1
-0.7%
+5.6%
-27.3%
Brazil CFR $/t
469.00
+0.3% +1.50
+15.1%
+15.4%
-43.8%
US Gulf FOB $/st
425.25
+0.0% +0.00
+10.0%
+9.4%
-43.4%
DAP
NOLA FOB $/st
795.00
+0.0% +0.00
+27.2%
+8.5%
+9.3%
The 5Y column starts from the October 2021 peak, when the European gas crisis shut ammonia plants and China halted urea exports. Daily settles; these contracts barely trade, so flat days are common.
Midwest ammonia prices have climbed to around $875 per short ton after rising more than 30% since late June. Ammonia imports from Trinidad fell about 34% this year amid gas shortages, with Nutrien shutting its Trinidad nitrogen operations indefinitely in October. The loss ripples through US supply chains as barge deliveries to farmers tighten ahead of peak autumn application. Read →
LME three-month nickel rose 3.8% to $16,375 per ton after Indonesia’s forestry task force targeted companies linked to major ore trader Arif Kurniawan over alleged illegal forest operations. Copper fell 1.3% to $13,828.50 per ton, its lowest since July 31, as AI-related equity selling pressured demand expectations. Read →
DCE most-traded I2701 contract closed at 687.5 yuan/mt, up 0.07% on the day after an initial rise then retreat; Qingdao port spot prices for mainstream products fell 3 yuan/mt on average with moderate trader activity and few mill enquiries. SGX near-month contract stood at $93.05/dmt. Port stocks continued building while arrivals dropped sharply, capping any sustained rebound. Read →
SteelRadar / BHP · Fri, Nov 6, 2026 (refreshed from Sep 23 announce
BHP and China Baowu renewed their five-year MoU on steel decarbonisation, focusing on modified blast furnace technologies using Pilbara ores to target at least 30% lower CO2 intensity (potentially >80% with carbon storage/renewables) and advancing DRI trials processed in Baowu's planned demonstration ESF. Builds on 2020 collaboration including hydrogen DRI trials achieving 50% lower CO2 intensity. Partnership covers trials, knowledge sharing and demonstration-scale applications across blast furnace and emerging pathways. Read →
China's Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs will require export licences for certain steel products (hundreds of tariff codes covering pig iron, semi-finished, flats, longs, pipes etc.) from January 1 2026, based on export contracts and manufacturer quality certificates. No quantity caps or qualification restrictions; licences issued by MOFCOM and designated provincial/sub-provincial authorities to monitor flows, ensure quality and support industrial stability amid record exports and trade frictions. Read →
Physically-backed gold ETFs attracted $2.7 billion in net inflows during October, extending four straight months of buying and lifting global holdings by 19 tonnes to a record 4,275 tonnes. European funds led with $1.8bn, Asia added $1.3bn, while North America saw modest outflows of $512mn; year-to-date inflows total $41bn, the third-strongest on record. AUM fell 6% to $542bn due to lower gold prices, but the inflows highlight strategic demand despite the pullback. Read →
Comex gold settled the week up 4.6% at $4,064.50/oz and silver rose 5.5% to $51.803/oz after Democrats' midterm sweep weakened the dollar and yields while oil prices fell on hopes for Middle East de-escalation. A stronger-than-expected October US jobs report (165k added) tempered some gains Friday but did not erase the rebound from prior lows near $3,880. The moves reflect reduced inflation pressures and safer-haven flows into the complex. Read →
Henry Lazenby · MINING.COM · Fri, Nov 6, 5:09 PM ET
MP Materials reported an adjusted Q3 profit of $8.8 million after sales of neodymium-praseodymium rose 94% to 1,020 tonnes and production hit a quarterly record of 1,018 tonnes. The company completed magnet qualification with General Motors, enabling first commercial deliveries this quarter from its Texas Independence plant. It also expects Q4 NdPr sales of about 1,000 tonnes at roughly $100/kg plus $8/kg price-protection income under its DoD deal. Read →
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and USTR Jamieson Greer told Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng that Beijing must immediately deliver on Busan pact commitments for rare earths and critical minerals. US officials noted China has supplied only about two-thirds of pledged volumes, heightening pressure days before the Nov 10 legal expiry of suspended export controls. Read →
Solvay signed a binding offtake deal with Viridis for mixed rare earth carbonate from Brazil’s Colossus project covering neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium through 2034. Minimum volumes represent about 70% of expected capacity, with shipments starting 2028 and price floors on the four magnetic elements; Solvay will also license technology for on-site carbonate upgrading. Read →
What's moving · Baltic Dry Index climbs to 2,805 on Capesize strength, while crude tanker spot rates correct sharply post-US midterms.
Route
$/day
Wk
1Y
$/t
$/bbl
VLCC TD3C
MEG to China
$1.41M
+4.5%
+992%
234.9
32.05
Suezmax TD20
WAF to UKC
$418k
-2.7%
+495%
118.3
16.14
Aframax TD25
USG to UKC
$230k
+9.8%
+262%
133.8
18.25
LR2 TC1
MEG to Japan
$304k
-7.7%
+781%
199.9
26.83
LR1 TC5
MEG to Japan
$223k
-8.9%
+758%
211.1
23.72
MR TC18
USG to Brazil
$85k
+36.7%
+178%
114.8
13.51
MR TC7
Singapore to Aus
$76k
-3.5%
+278%
104.8
14.07
Report of Oct 29, 2026. Weekly round-voyage TCE and freight cost per tonne and per barrel; TD routes carry crude, TC routes refined products. 1Y is the $/day change; Prism's history starts in October 2023, so there is no 5Y. Source: Prism.
The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk freight index rose 65 points or 2.4% to 2,805 on Nov 6, its highest since mid-October. Capesize rates led with a 3.7% jump to 4,344, while Panamax added 2.4% to 2,003; Supramax slipped. The weekly gain reached 3.4% amid firmer larger-vessel demand for iron ore and coal cargoes. Read →
VLCC, Suezmax and Aframax spot earnings continued declining this week after the US midterms, with West Africa-China VLCC TCE at $493k/day (down 35% from October peaks) and Atlantic midsize routes off even more. Rates remain multiples of breakeven and could rebound on any fresh Iran-related attacks, but the near-term correction is deepening as chartering slows. Read →
Atlantic two-stroke LNG carrier rates hit $61,500/day Tuesday (highest since late August 2024), up over 50% in a week, while Pacific rates reached $42,250/day. Tighter prompt tonnage from Egypt discharge delays and pre-winter demand is lifting earnings despite earlier seasonal softness. Read →
European carbon allowance prices posted their largest weekly decline in five months, falling 5.5% over four days amid a broad equity sell-off and sharp drops in energy markets. The reversal ended a cautiously bullish phase that had drawn investors back into EUAs. The move pressures near-term sentiment in the EU ETS despite structural tightening from shrinking supply. Read →
RGGI Allowances rose more than 6% on Friday with traders citing aggressive short covering as the driver. The move lifted prices to a four-month high and contributed to an 11% weekly gain. Stronger state-level compliance sentiment after US midterms supported the rally in the regional market. Read →
Argentina submitted its third Nationally Determined Contribution, opening participation in Paris Agreement Article 6 mechanisms. The update provides a pathway for projects including jurisdictional REDD+ to seek international buyers. It expands potential supply into voluntary and compliance carbon markets. Read →
Nasdaq-listed Hyperliquid Strategies (PURR) disclosed a subsidiary applied to register as a CFTC futures commission merchant to carry U.S. client accounts for HIP-3 permissioned perpetual futures markets. The filing aligns with ICE's October deal to operate regulated perps on Hyperliquid infrastructure including commodities. PURR holds 38.9 million HYPE tokens. Read →
SFC executive director Elisa Ng said 17 tokenized retail products hold $1.3 billion AUM, with tokenized money market funds now trading on licensed platforms. She indicated a tokenized gold ETF may form the next pilot under the new Innovation Pathway. The framework aims to merge tokenized funds with digital currencies for better liquidity. Read →
ConocoPhillips posted Q3 adjusted earnings of $3.27 per share, beating estimates, with net income of $4 billion on 32% higher realized prices. Production fell to 2.3 million boepd but the company raised its quarterly dividend 11% to 93 cents and returned $3.4 billion to shareholders via buybacks and payouts. Read →
US upstream oil and gas M&A deal value rose to $12.6 billion in Q3 from $11.5 billion prior quarter per Enverus. Private-equity exits led activity, with October seeing public E&P consolidation including EQT's $13.8 billion Range Resources acquisition. Total 2026 deal value reached $80.5 billion, exceeding last year. Read →
Parex Resources reported Q3 production of 83,264 boe/d, up sharply from prior quarter due to full Frontera E&P integration. Net income reached $75 million with funds flow of $196 million; the company declared a Q4 dividend of C$0.385 per share. H2 guidance was updated amid higher capex. Read →
What's moving · US sanctions Canadian firms for Iran evasion; Brazil extends 12% oil export tax; US presses China on rare earths, ag buys in Busan deal.
US Treasury sanctioned eight Canadian money services firms in Ontario and British Columbia for facilitating transactions with sanctioned Iranian entities, including converting rials to digital assets and links to an alleged narcotrafficker. The firms are cut off from the US dollar system. Treasury Secretary Bessent said Canada cannot be a safe haven for such facilitators as Washington pressures Tehran. Read →
Brazil's foreign trade committee extended the 12% tax on crude oil exports until Dec 31 to maintain domestic diesel and fuel supplies amid Middle East conflict. The Finance Ministry requested the extension. The committee also created a working group on reciprocity with the US over prior US tariffs on Brazilian goods. Read →
US officials pressed China in a Friday call to fully and immediately deliver on Busan trade truce pledges for rare earth exports and other critical products. Bessent stressed concrete results and warned recent Chinese actions raise concerns. The truce, extended to Jan 10, faces pressure as Trump and Xi prepare to meet. Read →
#OOTT traders are circulating Iranian media reports of an oil tanker igniting in the eastern Strait of Hormuz. The incident follows recent attacks and adds fresh geopolitical risk premium to crude after this week's sharp selloff on midterm results and de-escalation hopes. Discussions focus on whether it sustains elevated Brent/WTI levels or fades with diplomatic moves. Read →
Zelenskiy statements on ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian refining are drawing trader attention in #OOTT. Posts link it to sustained supply disruptions and higher European product margins. Market participants cite it as a multi-quarter bullish factor for oil and refining stocks amid already tight balances. Read →
Commodity analyst Giovanni Staunovo flagged Belarus raising export duties on LPG. #OOTT accounts are noting potential supply tightness for European buyers and knock-on effects for propane/butane pricing. The move comes as energy traders monitor Eastern European flows post-midterms. Read →
Pembina's comments positioning its Pacific Link oil pipeline stake as a key growth driver are circulating among Canadian energy traders. Discussions tie it to increased West Coast export capacity and longer-term crude flow optimism despite near-term price volatility. Read →
Uranium equities continued their slide to fresh lows earlier in the week but saw a decent Friday rebound. Retail and trader chatter on X and r/uranium links it to persistent long-term contract tightness and data-center demand, with spot near $92 to 93/lb and LT indicators at records. Read →
Podcasts: Watch & Listen
Recent video and podcast calls from respected oil and commodity analysts
A ceasefire agreement would open the way to sanctions relief on Russian crude, diesel and pipeline gas, bearish for Brent, European diesel cracks and TTF. Polymarket odds, last 7 days.
Weekly changes based on settlements Friday, November 6, 2026
Charts: grey is the prior week, color is this week.
Dots under the energy markets and copper: the shape of the curve at Friday’s close. WTI, Brent and Nat Gas run cash to 1st to 2nd month, cash from Prism; Dutch TTF and copper run their first three contracts.
Report of Oct 29, 2026. Weekly round-voyage TCE and freight cost per tonne and per barrel; TD routes carry crude, TC routes refined products. 1Y is the $/day change; Prism's history starts in October 2023, so there is no 5Y. Source: Prism.
Forward curves
The heavy line: months 1 to 24 at Friday’s settlement Fri Nov 6. Amber: the same contracts a week earlier. Dotted: a month earlier. Dashed: months 1 to 24 as they stood a year earlier. Refinery cracks in $/bbl from the NYMEX curves.
WTI $/bbl
Backwardation. Front Dec 26 $90.83, down $13.29 on the week; Nov 28 $70.49. A year ago the front (Dec 25) was $59.75.
Brent $/bbl
Backwardation. Front Jan 27 $98.32, down $15.11 on the week; Dec 28 $74.51. A year ago the front (Jan 26) was $63.38.
3-2-1 crack $/bbl
Backwardation. Front Dec 26 $47.56, down $2.17 on the week; Nov 28 $29.14. A year ago the front (Dec 25) was $29.33.
Henry Hub $/MMBtu
Contango. Front Dec 26 $2.998, up $0.100 on the week; Nov 28 $3.631. A year ago the front (Dec 25) was $4.315.
The diesel and gasoline cracks, copper and propane: all eight curves.
The Week Ahead
Scheduled events next week that could move commodities.
The cash price of physical crude globally, real‑time live even on weekends.
Prism is Morgan’s service providing free real‑time cash prices for physical crude oil, refined products, freight, natural gas and more. See today’s prices.
Morgan Downey's Commodity News is published by Wooden Table Press LLC. Informational only, not financial or legal advice. Do your own research. No representation is made as to accuracy or completeness.