Brent crude oil’s financial benchmark is ending the first week of December on a surprisingly firm footing. The front‑month Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financial futures contract (ticker BZ=F) settled around $63.75 per barrel on Friday, 5 December, its highest close in two weeks and roughly the second straight weekly gain for the benchmark. ^[1]

The move comes even as forecasters warn of a looming supply surplus in 2026 and see Brent drifting back toward $55–$60 per barrel next year. Yet for now, rate‑cut expectations from the U.S. Federal Reserve and a new wave of geopolitical tension are putting a floor under prices.

This article breaks down the latest price action in Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financial futures, the macro and geopolitical drivers between 5–7 December 2025, and what major banks and agencies are projecting for oil prices in 2026 and beyond.

What Exactly Is “Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financial”?

On the New York Mercantile Exchange (CME/NYMEX), traders can access Brent through Brent Last Day Financial Futures, ticker BZ (shown on many platforms as BZ=F).

These contracts:

• Are cash‑settled, not physically delivered.
• Settle against the ICE Brent Crude Oil Index published after the final trading day of the month. ^[2]
• Track the same underlying benchmark that drives ICE Brent futures, used to price about 80% of seaborne crude worldwide. ^[3]

Because BZ=F mirrors the global Brent benchmark without physical delivery, it has become a popular tool for refiners, airlines, producers and macro traders who want clean financial exposure to Brent without logistics risk.

Price Snapshot: Brent Futures Back Above $63

Front‑month futures and the BZ=F contract

Several data providers show a tight cluster of prices for Friday, 5 December:

• ICE Brent futures settled at $63.75/bbl, up about 0.8% on the day and marking the highest close since 18 November. ^[4]
• The Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financial (BZ=F) front‑month contract recorded an open near $62.80, intraday high around $64.08, low around $63.07, and settlement at $63.75, on volume of just over 23,000 contracts. ^[5]
• A separate exchange report from New York confirmed Brent for February delivery rising $0.49 (0.77%) to settle at $63.75, while WTI for January delivery closed at $60.08, up 0.69%. ^[6]

A Saudi‑based daily market report summarised the week by listing Brent at $63.75/bbl, up 0.8% on the day and about 2.2% on the week, but still roughly 10.6% lower year‑to‑date. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is down about 11.5% YTD at $60.08/bbl. ^[7]

Technical tone: cautiously bullish

Short‑term technical indicators for Brent futures skew positive. A popular dashboard at Investing.com shows a “Strong Buy” composite signal for Brent as of late 5 December, with the 14‑day RSI around 60 and a majority of oscillators and moving‑average signals pointing to further upside in the near term. ^[8]

In simple terms: futures traders see momentum improving, but not yet overheating.

Fed Cut Bets: The Macro Engine Behind the Rally

The single biggest driver of this week’s bounce has been the sudden jump in expectations for a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut at the upcoming 9–10 December FOMC meeting.

On Friday, Reuters reported that oil prices “edged up nearly 1% to a two‑week high” as traders priced in an 87% probability of a 25‑basis‑point cut, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool. ^[9]

Key macro points from 5–7 December:

• U.S. inflation and spending: A widely watched inflation report showed core PCE running slightly below economists’ forecasts, while consumer spending slowed after several strong months. ^[10]
• Mixed U.S. data: The manufacturing PMI slipped to 48.2 (contraction), while the services PMI held above 50, underscoring a “K‑shaped” economy but reinforcing bets on easier policy. ^[11]
• Oil market reaction: Kuwait‑based commentary highlighted Brent futures holding around $63.3/bbl as a two‑week high, explicitly linking the resilience in oil to Fed cut expectations and geopolitical risk premia. ^[12]

For BZ=F traders, the macro story is straightforward: a dovish Fed tends to weaken the dollar and support global growth expectations, both of which are historically positive for dollar‑priced commodities like Brent.

Geopolitics Keeps a Risk Premium in Brent

While macro data drives the broader risk appetite, geopolitics is quietly rebuilding a risk premium in Brent—and therefore in Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financial futures.

Ukraine and Russia

• On 4 December, oil rallied after renewed Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, including attacks on the Druzhba pipeline and refinery assets, with analysts at Kpler estimating a roughly 335,000 bpd year‑on‑year drop in Russian refining throughput from September to November. ^[13]
• Reuters notes that these attacks, combined with stalled Russia‑Ukraine peace talks, are keeping expectations of a quick return of Russian barrels firmly in check and helping to pin Brent in a $60–$70/bbl range for now. ^[14]

Sanctions, ESPO discounts and Russian export flows

On 5 December, another Reuters piece detailed how Russian ESPO blend cargoes to China for December loading are trading at a record discount of $5–$6/bbl to ICE Brent, compared with just $0.50–$1/bbl in late October. ^[15]

The deeper discounts are driven by:

• New U.S. sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft,
• State‑owned Chinese refiners temporarily suspending ESPO purchases, and
• Some December ESPO cargoes still looking for buyers—unusual for this sought‑after grade. ^[16]

For Brent itself, that’s a mixed story: Russian barrels must price below Brent to clear, capping how high the benchmark can run. But the very need for such discounts underscores how sanctions and war are reframing flows around the Brent benchmark.

EU & G7 consider tougher maritime sanctions

Looking forward, Brussels and G7 capitals are debating an even more aggressive step: replacing the current Russian oil price cap with a full ban on maritime services for Russian exports.

A 6 December Reuters exclusive says the EU and G7 are discussing a near‑total prohibition on Western shipping, insurance and other services for Russian crude, potentially in the bloc’s next sanctions package due in early 2026. ^[17]

Because about one‑third of Russian exports still sail on Western‑linked tankers, such a move would force Moscow to expand its “shadow fleet” of older and opaque vessels, raise shipping costs and inject further uncertainty into Atlantic‑Basin supply. ^[18]

Venezuela tensions

Analysts also remain focused on U.S.–Venezuela tensions, with U.S. officials hinting at potential operations targeting drug traffickers that could disrupt Venezuela’s roughly 1.1 million bpd of output. ^[19]

Put together, these threads justify why Brent—and BZ=F—are holding above $63 even as forecasts for 2026 look notably softer.

Short‑Term Oil Price Outlook: Range‑Bound With a Bullish Skew

Several fresh notes between 5–7 December offer a consistent short‑term theme: Brent likely stays range‑bound around $60–$65, but the next big move depends on the Fed and geopolitics.

Trading desks: watching $59–$63 as a key band

A weekend forecast from TradingNEWS describes crude as “steady near $60–$64,” with WTI around $60.08 and Brent (BZ=F) near $63.75. The piece highlights a tug‑of‑war between: ^[20]

• Supportive factors:
  • Black Sea disruptions—including an incident where a sanctioned Chinese‑owned tanker was reportedly struck by Ukrainian naval drones.
  • OPEC+ supply discipline and limited spare capacity.
  • Expectations for two Fed rate cuts in early 2026, which would underpin demand.
• Bearish forces:
  • A swing in U.S. crude inventories from a 3.4 million barrel draw to a 2.8 million barrel build, leaving stocks around 426.9 million barrels.
  • U.S. production hovering near 13.8 million bpd, close to record highs. ^[21]

The conclusion: the market is “pinned” near a breakout zone but needs a clear catalyst—such as the FOMC decision or a major supply disruption—to convincingly move toward $70 or back into the mid‑$50s.

Forex.com: FOMC and geopolitics as twin catalysts

A same‑day Forex.com note titled “Crude Oil Outlook: FOMC and Geopolitical Uncertainty” similarly argues that crude markets are holding near key breakout levels, with rate‑cut sentiment offsetting worries about a 2026 supply surplus. The analysis stresses that any surprise from the Fed—or escalation in Ukraine or Venezuela—could quickly jolt prices out of their current range. ^[22]

Bank and Agency Forecasts: 2026 Could Look Very Different

The more sobering news for Brent bulls is that most medium‑term forecasts released this week see lower prices in 2026, even if near‑term volatility pushes futures higher.

Rabobank: Brent back to $60 early next year

On 7 December, Rabobank reiterated its view that Brent will average about $62/bbl in Q4 2025, before sliding to $60/bbl in Q1 2026 and then oscillating in a $58–$60 range for the rest of the year. ^[23]

The bank:

• Cites the International Energy Agency’s estimate of a 3.5–4 million bpd surplus in 2026,
• Warns of occasional sub‑$55 sell‑offs when oversupply narratives resurface, and
• Argues that if Brent were to “settle convincingly in the low‑$50s,” OPEC+ would likely respond with fresh cuts. ^[24]

U.S. EIA: Brent averaging mid‑$50s in 2026

The U.S. Energy Information Administration is slightly more bearish. In its latest Short‑Term Energy Outlook, the agency projects that: ^[25]

• Brent will average around $54/bbl in Q1 2026,
• And about $55/bbl for full‑year 2026,

as global oil inventories continue to build. The EIA did nudge its 2026 forecast up by $3/bbl compared with last month, citing stronger than expected stock draws in China and the impact of sanctions on Russia, but the direction still points lower from current BZ=F levels.

Fitch and other houses: oversupply theme

Fitch Ratings this week cut its 2025–2027 oil price assumptions, explicitly referencing market oversupply and production growth that is expected to outstrip demand. ^[26]

Similarly, several bank research desks have recently trimmed their 2026 forecasts, often projecting Brent in the high‑50s to low‑60s as new barrels from the U.S., Brazil and Guyana come online.

Longer‑Term Perspective: Demand Peak, but Not Collapse

Beyond the 2026 horizon, a widely discussed Morningstar report released on 5 December offers a nuanced take on oil’s future. ^[27]

Key points:

• Demand peak delayed: Global oil demand is now expected to rise from about 104 million bpd in 2024 to a peak of around 108 million bpd in 2032, then gradually decline.
• Gentle decline: By 2050, demand is projected to be only about 8% lower than in 2024, far less bearish than Morningstar’s 2021 forecast.
• Higher “mid‑cycle” price: Reflecting that resilience, Morningstar has raised its mid‑cycle Brent price assumption to $65/bbl from $60/bbl, lifting its valuation of many oil producers.
• Who keeps using oil? Aviation, marine shipping and petrochemicals are expected to be sticky demand centers, while road transport becomes increasingly electrified. Emerging economies outside China are projected to grow their share of global consumption from 40% in 2024 to 54% in 2050. ^[28]

For long‑dated BZ contracts and related options, this outlook helps explain why far‑out Brent strips still trade well above the mid‑$50s, even as near‑term contracts grapple with potential oversupply.

What It All Means for Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financial (BZ) Traders

With Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financial futures (BZ=F) hovering near $63–$64/bbl, traders and hedgers face a classic late‑cycle dilemma: strong short‑term support, weaker medium‑term fundamentals.

For hedgers (producers, refiners, consumers)

• Producers may see current BZ levels as an opportunity to lock in prices above many 2026 forecasts, particularly if their breakeven levels sit in the high‑40s or low‑50s.
• Refiners and airlines that are structurally long physical crude might prefer shorter‑dated hedges, betting that oversupply and slower growth will gradually push Brent back toward the mid‑50s.
• Corporate treasuries need to factor in the possibility of sharp, temporary spikes if sanctions tighten or a major supply route—such as the Black Sea or Persian Gulf—faces disruption.

For macro and speculative traders

Three themes stand out for the weeks ahead:

1. FOMC decision (9–10 December)
   • A more dovish Fed than markets expect could push BZ=F toward the upper end of this year’s range, especially if the dollar weakens further.
   • A hawkish surprise—or a delay to rate cuts—could trigger profit‑taking and send Brent back toward the high‑50s.
2. Sanctions and shipping policy
   • Concrete steps by the EU and G7 to implement a maritime services ban on Russian oil would likely tighten Atlantic‑Basin supplies and add a structural risk premium to Brent. ^[29]
3. War‑related disruptions
   • Continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure and any escalation in U.S.–Venezuela tensions remain upside risks, especially if shipments through key pipelines or ports are materially curtailed. ^[30]

In this context, it isn’t surprising to see technical indicators flashing “buy” even as fundamental analysts warn of 2026 softness.

Key Dates and Risks to Watch in December

Market participants in Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financial futures will be watching:

• 9–10 December – U.S. FOMC meeting and updated rate projections.
• Late December – Any formal announcement from the EU and G7 on a maritime services ban for Russian crude. ^[31]
• Upcoming OPEC+ monitoring meetings – Signals about whether the group will defend a floor near $60/bbl should prices slide.
• Ongoing headlines from Ukraine and Venezuela – Any disruption that removes even a few hundred thousand barrels per day can move Brent sharply in a market priced for surplus.

Bottom Line

Between 5–7 December 2025, Brent Crude Oil Last Day Financial futures (BZ=F) have:

• Rallied back to roughly $63.75/bbl, a two‑week high and roughly a 1% weekly gain. ^[32]
• Been buoyed by strong expectations of a Fed rate cut, which support both risk appetite and future oil demand. ^[33]
• Found additional support from geopolitical risks, including sanctions, Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure, and potential disruptions in Venezuelan output. ^[34]

At the same time, Rabobank, the EIA and others still project Brent drifting back toward the mid‑50s to around $60/bbl in 2026, highlighting a likely tug‑of‑war between oversupply and geopolitics in the year ahead. ^[35]

For traders and hedgers using the BZ contract, the message is clear: the coming Fed meeting and evolving sanctions landscape could decide whether this winter’s rally has room to run—or whether current levels are an attractive chance to lock in prices before fundamentals reassert themselves.

References

1. www.reuters.com, 2. en.wikipedia.org, 3. en.wikipedia.org, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. finance.yahoo.com, 6. www.nampa.org, 7. www.alrajhi-capital.com, 8. www.investing.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. kuwaittimes.com, 12. kuwaittimes.com, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. www.reuters.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.reuters.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.reuters.com, 19. www.reuters.com, 20. www.tradingnews.com, 21. www.tradingnews.com, 22. www.forex.com, 23. www.exchangerates.org.uk, 24. www.exchangerates.org.uk, 25. www.eia.gov, 26. www.reuters.com, 27. www.mrt.com, 28. www.mrt.com, 29. www.reuters.com, 30. www.reuters.com, 31. www.reuters.com, 32. www.reuters.com, 33. www.reuters.com, 34. www.reuters.com, 35. www.exchangerates.org.uk

Gold (XAU/USD) Price Forecast — Fed Rate Cut Momentum, Central Bank Demand, and Key Resistance Levels Ahead of 2026

Macro Overview: Fed Policy, Dollar Weakness, and Safe-Haven Flows

Gold (XAU/USD) continues to consolidate at elevated levels near $4,200, as traders prepare for the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decision on December 9–10. Markets have priced in an 87% probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut, which would lower the federal funds range to 3.5%–3.75%. This expectation has underpinned safe-haven assets, driving steady inflows into gold despite moderate risk appetite across equity markets.
Over the past week, spot gold traded within a $4,163.80–$4,264.70 range, closing at $4,198.68, down just 0.41%. The U.S. dollar index (DXY) slipped below 102.00, reflecting soft labor market data — including a 32,000 job loss reported by ADP and 71,321 layoffs from Challenger — confirming that the economy continues to cool. Weaker yields and dovish rhetoric from policymakers have reinforced demand for non-yielding assets like gold.

Global Dynamics: Currency Depreciation and Asian Demand

The rally in gold prices has been further supported by the Indian rupee’s depreciation to 90 per dollar, driving MCX gold futures up by ₹958 (0.74%) this week to ₹85,260 per 10 grams, outperforming global benchmarks. In parallel, Comex gold futures slipped $11.9 (-0.28%), consolidating gains after touching six-week highs near $4,260. The weaker U.S. dollar has also boosted physical gold demand across Asia, especially in China and India, where retail purchases have risen over 15% month-on-month.
Geopolitical uncertainty in Eastern Europe and the Middle East continues to sustain safe-haven demand, while inflation in major economies remains above central bank targets. These macro headwinds make gold’s role as a portfolio hedge increasingly strategic for institutional and retail investors alike.

Technical Outlook: Key Levels and Pattern Analysis

From a structural standpoint, XAU/USD remains technically bullish while trading above the $4,133.95 pivot, which represents the 50% retracement between $3,886.46 and $4,264.70. As long as prices hold above this zone, buyers remain in control. A confirmed breakout above $4,264.70 would expose the next resistance at $4,381.44, marking a potential retest of the all-time high.
If sellers push below $4,133.95, initial support emerges at $4,075.58, followed by $3,886.46, which served as the October low and coincides with the upper boundary of the intermediate retracement zone at $3,720.25–$3,846.50. The RSI remains above 60, confirming momentum strength, while the MACD histogram sustains a positive bias. The overall technical configuration still favors continuation rather than reversal.

Investor Positioning and Market Sentiment

Investor sentiment in gold remains decisively positive. Institutional data show continued accumulation by central banks, with net global reserves rising by 19 tonnes in November, led by China, Turkey, and India. ETF inflows resumed modestly after two months of outflows, reflecting improving conviction ahead of the Fed meeting.
In retail markets, online gold ETFs and derivatives have seen increased trading volume — up 11% week-on-week on Comex — as traders hedge against policy uncertainty. Social sentiment data also confirm a surge in bullish positioning, with gold-related discussions rising 26% on financial platforms over the last five days.

Comparative Analysis: Gold Versus Silver and Other Metals

While gold remains the anchor of the precious metals complex, silver (XAG/USD) has outperformed in recent sessions. Comex silver surged by $2.40 (4.19%) to $59.90 per ounce, while domestic Indian silver futures skyrocketed ₹8,427 (4.81%) to ₹185,234 per kilogram. The industrial demand surge, coupled with tight global supply, has pushed analysts to forecast a move toward ₹200,000–₹225,000 per kilogram in early 2026.
Platinum and palladium posted mild gains of 0.7% and 0.4% respectively, reflecting broader sector stability. Gold’s relative performance remains steady, supported by its defensive utility, while silver’s parabolic momentum may invite near-term profit-taking.

Macro Drivers: Labor Data, Inflation, and Fed Policy Outlook

Recent U.S. macro data reinforce the Fed’s easing trajectory. The PCE inflation report showed headline inflation rising 0.3% month-over-month and 2.8% year-over-year, with core inflation also easing to 2.8%. Combined with soft labor data and declining consumer inflation expectations, this suggests the Fed has room to maintain a dovish stance.
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index climbed to 53.3, reflecting moderate optimism among consumers, yet overall inflation expectations remain anchored. If the Fed confirms a rate cut and signals a dovish roadmap into 2026, gold could easily test the $4,300–$4,380 range within weeks. Conversely, a hawkish tone could trigger a temporary pullback toward $4,100 before new buying reemerges.

Central Bank Accumulation and Institutional Strategy

The World Gold Council estimates that central banks collectively purchased over 1,000 tonnes of gold in 2025, marking the second-highest annual total in history. Persistent accumulation reflects a strategic pivot toward asset diversification and a hedge against sovereign debt and dollar volatility. Institutional investors have also increased allocations to gold-backed ETFs and mining equities.
Gold producers like Alamos Gold (AGI), Barrick Gold (GOLD), and Royal Gold (RGLD) have all raised production guidance for 2026, anticipating higher realized prices and improved free cash flow margins. AGI recently saw its price target upgraded to $49 from $44, reinforcing a bullish view across the gold equity space.

Technical Momentum: Volatility and Market Structure

Gold’s volatility profile remains stable. The CBOE Gold Volatility Index (GVZ) stands near 13.4, well below its October peak of 17.2, suggesting calm accumulation rather than panic buying. Trading volume remains elevated — averaging $65 billion daily across global futures markets — with short-term positioning favoring upside breakouts over downside corrections.
The 200-day moving average now sits at $3,960, with the 50-day EMA near $4,120, both below current prices, confirming bullish structure. Traders continue to “buy weakness,” using dips toward $4,130–$4,150 as reentry zones.

Key Events to Watch

All attention now shifts to next week’s FOMC decision, followed by the Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference. Markets will also monitor U.S. Jobless Claims, Employment Cost Index, and JOLTS Job Openings data for additional policy cues. Abroad, China’s trade and inflation reports could influence gold’s medium-term trajectory through currency and import demand effects.

Outlook and Verdict

Gold (XAU/USD) trades near $4,198, holding firm above the key support of $4,133.95 as buyers defend momentum. A break above $4,264.70 could accelerate gains toward $4,381.44–$4,420, while downside support rests near $4,075.58. The 10-year U.S. yield at 4.14% and a softer dollar (DXY 101.5) continue to boost demand. ETF inflows exceeded $685 million this week, with central banks purchasing over 1,000 tonnes year-to-date. Technical strength remains intact as gold trades above its 50-day EMA at $4,120, signaling sustained accumulation. Traders eye the FOMC rate cut decision, which could trigger a new rally above $4,300. Verdict: BUY on dips between $4,100–$4,150, targeting $4,350–$4,380 short term.

That’s TradingNEWS

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