WTI bias flipped 6 times to neutral on August 21, 2026
WTI crude is being lifted by heightened Middle East tensions, as the collapse of the Iran nuclear deal and restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz keep supply concerns in focus. Prices have risen toward $94, with reports of the U.S. preparing new economic measures against Iran adding to the risk premium. A weekly increase in U.S. crude stockpiles has so far done little to offset these geopolitical drivers.
Updated
The reading that day
NeutralAt the close of the UTC day.
BearishNeutralBullish
It changed 6 times during the day.
The day on the wire
00:0006:0012:0018:0024:00
The band shows the reading through the day; a mark shows where it changed. Each tick is a headline first seen that day.
The reading through the day
- 00:00Bullish
- 01:27Neutral
- 04:20Weak bullish
- 19:49Weak bearish
- 20:04Bearish
- 20:22Bullish
- 21:12Neutral
Headlines (14)
First seen on August 21
- Oil set for second weekly rise as unsettled US-Iran war crimps supplyInvesting.com
- Middle East live: Hormuz shipping traffic falls as Iran-US talks stallfrance24.com
- Transit through Strait of Hormuz falls to low amid risks to vessels — ReutersTASS
- Oil prices on track for second straight weekly rise amid Mideast tensionsHellenic Shipping News
- Oil prices rise toward $94 as U.S. prepares new Iran economic measuresworldoil.com
- Oil Bulls Take Control as Iran Deal Collapses and Hormuz Stays RestrictedOilPrice.com
Carried over from earlier days
- South Africa to Australia: Why coal profits are surging during Iran warAl Jazeera
- WTI holds ground around $84.50 as supply risks increase due to US-Iran peace uncertaintyFXStreet
- U.S. Crude Oil Stockpiles Post Weekly IncreaseThe Wall Street Journal
- Hope Fades, Traders Brace for Extended Oil, LNG SqueezeOilPrice.com
- investingLive European markets wrap: Dollar, yields recover some poise; Walmart shares slide after earningsInvestingLive
- Brent Breaks $94, Global Yields Push Higher — but Dollar Refuses to FollowActionForex
- US Will Impose ‘Toughest Sanctions in History’ on Iran, Bessent Saysgcaptain.com
- TSX edges lower as oil prices creep higher, U.S. stocks also negativeboereport.com
Scheduled events
As of
| Event | Forecast | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, August 21 | ||
| Foreign Direct Investment ytd/y | CNY | |
| Core Retail Sales m/m | 0.2% | CAD |
| Retail Sales m/m | 0.4% | CAD |
| Monday, August 24 | ||
| Corporate Profits q/q | CAD | |
| Wednesday, August 26 | ||
| Crude Oil Inventories | USD | |
| Thursday, August 27 | ||
| Current Account | 5.6B | CAD |
| CB Leading Index m/m | CNY | |
| Friday, August 28 | ||
| GDP m/m | 0.2% | CAD |