Mint Finance

🌍 [US Crude Oil Options Weekly 2024/42] WTI Slips as Demand Worries Grow and Middle East Tensions Cool 📉 WTI crude oil futures fell 9.1% for the week ending 18/Oct, driven by reduced demand forecasts and concerns over a slowing Chinese economy, writes Suhas Reddy. 🔑 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Demand Dilemmas: OPEC and IEA have both downgraded their oil demand forecasts, citing weaker consumption in China, impacting prices significantly. 2️⃣ Geopolitical Fluctuations: While prices rebounded mid-week due to US crude inventory drawdowns, concerns over the Middle East and China's economic stimulus continue to create market uncertainty. 3️⃣ Options Market Insights: The Put/Call volume ratio remained steady at 0.52, with significant call activity in upcoming months indicating a potential bullish outlook despite recent price declines. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/dDKz5DgJ #CrudeOil #WTI #OilMarket #Energy #OPEC #ChinaEconomy #MarketAnalysis #TradingInsights #Investing

🔎 [US Nat Gas Options Weekly 2024/42] Henry Hub Continues Tumbling Due to Bleak Demand Outlook 📉 As mild weather forecasts and rising production weigh heavily on US natural gas futures, the market saw a significant 14.2% decline for the week ending 18/Oct, writes Suhas Reddy. Our latest paper breaks down the key market dynamics, from pricing action to options activity, and how evolving geopolitical tensions could shift the outlook. 🔑 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Price Pressure: US natural gas futures dropped 14.2% for the week, marking the largest weekly decline since February. Despite occasional spikes, mild weather predictions kept demand low. 2️⃣ Options Activity: Henry Hub’s Put/Call ratio surged to 1.54, driven by an 81.3% rise in put volume, indicating increased bearish sentiment. 3️⃣ Volatility Insights: Implied volatility rebounded mid-week, with a 1 standard deviation price move projected between $3.07 and $1.51 for December futures, signalling possible significant swings. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gdKAju5F #NaturalGas #EnergyMarkets #HenryHub #Commodities #Trading #WeatherImpact #OptionsTrading #EnergyNews #MarketAnalysis 🌡️

📉 US Oil & Gas Rig Count Update 🛢️ In the latest Baker Hughes report, US energy producers trimmed another rig this week, marking the fourth decrease in five weeks, writes Suhas Reddy. 🔑 Key takeaways: 1️⃣ The US rig count fell by 1 to 585, continuing a downward trend. Overall, the rig count is 6% lower YoY, with 39 fewer rigs compared to this time last year. 2️⃣ While oil rigs edged up by 1 to 482, gas rigs dipped below 100, dropping by 2 to 99, reflecting ongoing challenges for natural gas production. 3️⃣ The Permian Basin remains stable, with 304 rigs operating for two consecutive weeks. US energy producers cut two rigs in Texas and added one each in Oklahoma and Colorado. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gqbYHzjT #OilAndGas #EnergyUpdate #USProduction #RigCount #EnergyTransition #PermianBasin #BakerHughes

Iron ore futures continue to face downward pressure as positive impact of China stimulus fades, write Pranay Yadav. 1️⃣ China’s Stimulus Losing Steam: Despite expanded housing stimulus measures and interest rate cuts, iron ore prices failed to rally. The announcement on October 17th didn’t meet market expectations, leading to further price declines. 2️⃣ Bearish MA Crossover: The 9-day moving average crossed below the 100-day average on October 21st, signaling a reversal of the previous bullish trend, which suggests potentially more downward movement ahead. 3️⃣ Fibonacci Levels Hold, But Watch for Further Declines: While prices maintained support at the 50% Fibonacci retracement level, the 61.8% level at USD 97.55/ton is now the critical support to watch as selling pressure continues. 💡 Stay informed on key technical indicators to navigate this volatile market! You can find our full analysis on SGX Commodities: https://lnkd.in/g2AYdYap TradingView: https://lnkd.in/gi_-2kkk #IronOre #CommoditiesMarket #MarketTrends #TechnicalAnalysis #FuturesTrading #ChinaEconomy #InvestingInsights

🚨 Missed the Gold Rally? Here’s How You Can Still Position Yourself 🚨 Gold has surged to new all-time highs, supported by strong bullish momentum. Despite the bullish outlook, higher prices are tempering demand and reducing the potential for future returns, writes Pranay Yadav ✨ Key Takeaways: 🔄 Shift in Buyer Dynamics: The previous rally was driven by central banks, but now institutional investors and retail buyers are leading the charge. This shift provides unique opportunities for investors looking to enter the market with strategic positions. 📉 Fed Rate Cuts Signal More Gains: Historically, gold prices rise following Federal Reserve rate cuts. With gold already up 5% since the first cut in September, there’s potential for further growth as the Fed continues to ease rates. 💡 Gold Rally Driving Profits For Miners: While gold is at an all-time high, gold mining stocks still holds potential for investors. Rising prices, coupled with improving economic conditions, suggest further momentum, especially for those looking at tactical positions in the market. Read the full paper 📃: https://lnkd.in/g5PEnAB2 #GoldRally #InvestmentOpportunities #FedRateCuts #GoldInvesting #MarketInsights #GoldMomentum

📉 Oil & Gas Markets: Demand Concerns Weigh on Prices Amid Geopolitical Tensions 🌍 As global economic worries mount, WTI crude oil and US natural gas futures saw significant declines, driven by concerns over China’s slowing demand and softening energy consumption growth across the US and Europe, writes Suhas Reddy 🔑 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ China’s Slowdown Hits Oil Prices: WTI futures dropped amid fears of weaker demand, with China’s lacklustre fiscal measures and worsening producer price deflation leading the slide. 2️⃣ Natural Gas Demand Dips: US natural gas futures fell this week as mild weather forecasts and post-hurricane outages reduced power generation demand. 3️⃣ Analyst Ratings on Oil & Gas Giants: Halliburton, SLB, and Oxy saw target price downgrades, while Chevron received an upgrade. Analysts maintain positive ratings on Reliance Industries Limited despite its net profit falling YoY. Read here for the full report: https://lnkd.in/ggsXk5XM #OilMarkets #NaturalGas #WTI #EnergyDemand #ChinaEconomy #EnergyTrading #Commodities

🌬️ US Natural Gas Futures: Decline Continues Amid Hurricane Milton 🌧️ Natural gas futures tumbled for a second consecutive week, weighed down by weak demand caused by widespread power outages following Hurricane Milton. Despite temporary recoveries, the overall market outlook remains bearish, writes Suhas Reddy. 🔑 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Hurricane Impact: Gas demand for electricity generation dropped significantly as millions in Florida were left without power. 2️⃣ Inventory Build: EIA reported a larger-than-expected 82 Bcf build in natural gas inventories, further pressuring prices. 3️⃣ Options Shift: Call-put skew continues to rise as bullish sentiment grows, with increased call OI for winter expirations. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gTz7ncmX #NaturalGas #EnergyMarkets #HurricaneImpact #GasDemand #OptionsTrading #HenryHub

📈 China's Weakness Poses Risk to WTI's Recent Two-Week Gains 📉 WTI crude oil futures closed 1.6% higher for the week ending 11/Oct, driven by rising geopolitical tensions. Market volatility remained elevated, reflecting mixed signals on supply, demand, and macroeconomic factors, writes Suhas Reddy 🔑 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Geopolitical Impact: Rising tensions in the Middle East and Hurricane Milton supported prices, even as bearish EIA demand outlook and profit-taking created pressure. 2️⃣ Options Activity: Call volume surged for near-dated contracts, with strong OI at strike levels of 80, 90, and 100, signaling bullish sentiment. 3️⃣ Volatility Insights: Implied volatility increased, with a positive skew reflecting rising demand for upside protection. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gqJKbfES #CrudeOil #WTIFutures #EnergyMarkets #OilPrices #OptionsTrading #Volatility #Geopolitics

🔍 US Rig Count on the Rises 🔍 After three weeks of declines, US energy producers added a rig last week, bringing the total count to 586, according to Baker Hughes. This slight uptick comes despite the remaining 6% lower overall rig count than last year, writes Suhas Reddy 🔑 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Oil Rig Recovery: The oil rig count increased by two to 481, though it still lags behind last year by 20 rigs. 2️⃣ Gas Rig Decline: Gas rigs dropped by one to 101, reflecting the sector’s volatility, with 16 fewer rigs compared to 2023. 3️⃣ Regional Rig Movements: While Texas added six rigs, Pennsylvania’s count dropped to 13, its lowest since July 2016. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gvJX23Bf #OilAndGas #EnergyProduction #RigCount #BakerHughes #OilandGasIndustry #EnergyUpdate #USProduction

Silver has surged by 30% YTD, fueled by a supply deficit, booming photovoltaic (PV) demand, and momentum from gold’s rally, writes Pranay Yadav. With China's massive stimulus and central bank interest piling on, is silver ready to hit new heights? 🪙 Here are 3 key takeaways from the latest research: 1️⃣ China's Stimulus Drives Demand: Liquidity boosts from China are stimulating PV manufacturing and consumer sentiment, giving silver industrial and investment momentum. 2️⃣ Russia’s Silver Strategy: Russia’s finance ministry may start stockpiling silver, opening new doors for demand and influencing global markets. 3️⃣ ETF Inflows Signal Investor Interest: ETFs saw $942M in inflows since July, with lower interest rates driving silver’s appeal as a non-yielding asset. 📊 Read more about the trends shaping silver’s rise here: https://lnkd.in/gCXBSffJ #Silver #Investment #PreciousMetals #China #EconomicOutlook #ETFs #PVIndustry #Commodities #Gold