James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report - 10 March 2026

Energy markets sold off sharply on Tuesday morning after President Trump signalled overnight that the Iran conflict could end "very soon," triggering a broad repricing of geopolitical risk across gas, power and oil. Despite the scale of losses, significant physical constraints remain in place - the Strait of Hormuz is still closed and Norwegian maintenance has intensified - leaving markets caught between softening rhetoric and hard supply realities.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report - 09 March 2026

Energy markets opened sharply higher on Monday as the Middle East conflict escalated over the weekend, with strikes on energy infrastructure across Saudi Arabia and Bahrain sending shockwaves through gas, power, and oil markets. The geopolitical risk premium now dominates the complex, with gains extending well along the forward curve.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report - 06 March 2026

Gas and power markets pulled back from multi-year highs as diplomatic signals around the Middle East and proposed naval escort plans for the Strait of Hormuz eased some of the geopolitical premium. The broader energy complex remains elevated, however, with crude oil up roughly 20% on the week and supply risks far from resolved.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report - 05 March 2026

Energy prices pulled back sharply on 4 March after unconfirmed reports of preliminary Iran-US peace contact briefly lifted sentiment, only for Iranian officials to rebut those claims and morning trading on 5 March to recover much of the lost ground. The QatarEnergy force majeure at Ras Laffan remains in force and the conflict enters its sixth day with no diplomatic resolution in sight.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report - 04 March 2026

Energy markets remained sharply elevated as the Middle East conflict entered its fifth day, though the extreme volatility seen earlier in the week showed signs of moderating as mild weather and comfortable UK fundamentals provided a partial counterweight to geopolitical risk.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report - 03 March 2026

European energy markets surged as the Middle East conflict escalated sharply over the weekend, with strikes across the Persian Gulf disrupting both LNG and oil supply routes. Gas and power prices posted their largest gains in months, while carbon remained notably disconnected from the wider rally.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report - 02 March 2026

Gas and power markets swung between weather-driven softness and geopolitical firmness this week, as US–Iran nuclear talks broke down without a deal and mild temperatures kept physical balances loose. Prompt prices rebounded sharply into Thursday; forward curves firmed modestly as traders weighed soft near-term fundamentals against rising medium-term risk.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 27 February 2026

Gas and power markets swung between weather-driven softness and geopolitical firmness this week, as US–Iran nuclear talks broke down without a deal and mild temperatures kept physical balances loose. Prompt prices rebounded sharply into Thursday; forward curves firmed modestly as traders weighed soft near-term fundamentals against rising medium-term risk.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 26 February 2026

European gas and power markets traded in a narrow range on Wednesday, with above-normal temperatures continuing to suppress heating demand across north-west Europe. Spot prices softened while forward contracts firmed modestly, reflecting a growing tension between relaxed near-term fundamentals and building geopolitical risk premia.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 25 February 2026

UK wholesale energy markets softened on Tuesday as mild weather and healthy LNG supply continued to erode winter risk premiums. Prompt gas settled around 75p/therm, with power and commodities drifting lower in sympathy.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 24 February 2026

Energy prices softened at the start of the week as mild weather, comfortable supply and a sharp sell-off in carbon dragged the prompt complex lower. Geopolitical risks from US–Iran tensions and fresh tariff announcements provided a latent bid but failed to shift fundamentals.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 23 February 2026

Gas and power prices eased at the start of the week as milder weather forecasts and a surge in wind generation offset lingering geopolitical risk from the US–Iran stand-off. Carbon rebounded after weeks of heavy selling, while oil held near recent levels amid a shifting trade policy backdrop following the US Supreme Court's intervention on tariffs.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 20 February 2026

Energy prices pulled back on Friday after Thursday's sharp geopolitical rally, with improving wind output and below-seasonal gas demand reasserting bearish fundamentals despite lingering US–Iran tensions in the Gulf.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 19 February 2026

Gas and power prices reversed sharply higher on Wednesday as US–Iran tensions escalated and Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for naval exercises. The geopolitical risk premium now dominates an otherwise comfortable physical backdrop of mild weather and healthy wind generation.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 18 February 2026

Gas and power markets extended their decline on Tuesday, driven by a significant shift in weather models pointing to milder and windier conditions across Europe for the remainder of the month. Carbon bucked the trend with a modest recovery, while crude oil softened on easing geopolitical risk.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 17 February 2026

Gas and power markets fell sharply on Monday as a rapid US production recovery from Winter Storm Fern pulled global benchmarks lower, compounded by a decisive shift toward milder weather forecasts across Europe. Carbon markets added to the bearish tone, with EU and UK allowances extending recent losses.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 16 February 2026

European gas and power markets opened sharply lower on Monday as milder weather revisions for the second half of February eased heating demand expectations. Carbon prices extended last week's rout, dragging power contracts lower across the curve.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 13 February 2026

European energy markets came under broad pressure on Thursday, led by a sharp sell-off in carbon allowances that rippled across the power curve. Gas held relatively firm on Norwegian supply disruptions, but bearish oil and collapsing ETS prices weighed on wider sentiment.

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 12 February 2026

European energy markets were rocked by a sharp sell-off in carbon on Thursday after Germany's Chancellor Merz signalled openness to revising the EU's emissions trading system. Gas held relatively steady, while power was dragged lower by the carbon rout

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James Smith James Smith

Energy Market Report – 11 February 2026

Energy markets saw broad-based losses on Tuesday as gas, power and carbon all moved lower in tandem, before a partial recovery this morning on expectations of cooler weather into the weekend. UK carbon was the standout mover, with UKA futures collapsing roughly 20 per cent over two days to their lowest level since April.

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