Gold continued its sharp decline during its latest intraday trading, reaching a key support level at $4,400, amid the dominance of a short-term bearish corrective trend. This comes alongside negative pressure due to trading below EMA50, reinforcing the dominance of the bearish trend.

 

On the other hand, we notice the beginning of a positive crossover of the relative strength indicators after reaching deeply oversold levels, which may support some corrective rebounds in the coming period, especially if the current support level holds, aiming to recover part of the previous losses.

 

 

 

Copper price confirmed its surrender to the bearish corrective bias, by providing several closes below the broken support that is represented by $5.5100 level, recording negative targets by reaching $5.1900.

 

The continuation of providing negative momentum by the main indicators might push the price to resume the corrective moves, to reach $5.0500 that might form an extra support, breaking this support will open a new way for targeting extra negative stations that might begin at $4.9500, while the stability above it might provide a chance for forming some bullish waves, to target $5.4200 level.

 

The expected trading range for today is between $5.0500 and $5.4000

 

Trend forecast: Bearish

 

Price movements in platinum are often sharper than gold or silver due to its limited availability and reliance on a few global mining regions. Automotive regulations, global production levels, and technology usage influence the platinum price today. As platinum becomes more relevant in clean energy applications, its daily rate has gained importance for both buyers and investors.

Why are Brent futures up and oil prices looking to surge on Monday, and what to expect next? Oil prices are moving higher after closing near a four-year high. The rise is linked to growing tension between the United States and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key route for global oil supply, and any disruption affects markets worldwide. Recent threats targeting energy infrastructure and supply routes have raised concerns among traders and analysts. Supply losses during the ongoing conflict have already impacted availability. Markets are now watching closely for further developments, as any escalation or delay in reopening supply routes could push oil prices higher in the coming days.

Why are Brent futures up and oil prices looking to surge on Monday, and what to expect next?

The rise in oil prices is linked to tension between the United States and Iran, threats to energy infrastructure, and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Markets are reacting to supply risks and uncertainty. Brent futures closed at a high level before the weekend, showing strong demand concerns. Analysts say the situation has created pressure on supply chains and raised fears of further escalation. These developments are pushing traders to expect higher prices when markets reopen on Monday.

Why are Brent futures up?

Brent futures are rising due to supply disruption and rising geopolitical risk. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has reduced global oil supply. Iran’s attacks on ports and refineries across Gulf countries have also affected output. The market is pricing in risk linked to further damage to infrastructure. Brent gained about 8.8% last week and settled at $112.19 per barrel, which is the highest level since July 2022. Traders are reacting to uncertainty and limited supply availability.

Why are oil prices looking to surge on Monday?

Oil prices are expected to rise due to the 48-hour ultimatum issued by U.S. President Donald Trump to Iran. The warning includes possible action against Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. Iran has responded with threats to attack U.S.-linked infrastructure in the Gulf. Analysts say this exchange increases the chance of escalation. This situation is likely to trigger a strong market reaction when trading begins on Monday.

Oil market reaction to war escalation

Oil markets are reacting to statements from U.S. President Donald Trump and responses from Iran. Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He also warned of action against Iranian power plants. Iran responded by stating it would target U.S.-linked infrastructure in the Gulf. This includes energy and desalination facilities. Analysts say this exchange has increased the risk of further escalation. Brent futures for May settled at $112.19 per barrel on Friday. This marked the highest level since July 2022. The weekly gain for Brent stood at about 8.8%.

Supply disruption and Strait of Hormuz impact

The Strait of Hormuz plays a central role in global oil supply. The closure during the conflict has already removed around 440 million barrels from the market over 22 days. Iran has carried out attacks on ports and refineries in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar. These actions have reduced supply flow and increased concern among traders. So far, Iran has not targeted major desalination plants. These plants provide water to millions in the region. Experts say damage to such facilities could disrupt daily life and force evacuations.

What to expect next in oil prices?

Experts say oil prices may rise further if tensions continue. Restoring supply from the Middle East Gulf may take up to six months, according to the International Energy Agency. Reports suggest the U.S. is considering steps involving Iran’s Kharg Island. Such moves could further impact supply and market stability. Markets will track developments around the Strait of Hormuz and any military action. Oil prices are expected to remain sensitive to updates.

Analysts insights and market outlook

Analysts say uncertainty is driving prices higher. Market analyst Tony Sycamore said the 48-hour deadline creates a situation that could push prices up if not resolved. Energy analyst Amrita Sen said the situation shows continued escalation. She added that expectations of Iran backing down may not hold. The price gap between WTI and Brent has also widened. WTI settled slightly lower last week, while Brent gained. The discount reached its widest level in 11 years.

What should investors do now?

Investors are closely watching why are Brent futures up and oil prices looking to surge on Monday, and what to expect next as volatility increases. Market participants are tracking updates on the Strait of Hormuz, supply restoration, and any military developments. Experts suggest monitoring global supply data and policy decisions before making moves. Oil prices may remain unstable in the short term due to ongoing tension. Investors are expected to focus on risk management and avoid decisions based only on short-term price movements.

FAQs

Q1. Why are oil prices going to surge on Monday?
Oil prices are expected to surge on Monday due to rising U.S.-Iran tension, threats to energy infrastructure, and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which has reduced global supply and increased market uncertainty.

Q2. What factors will decide oil prices next?
Oil prices will depend on Strait of Hormuz reopening, Middle East developments, supply restoration timelines, U.S.-Iran actions, global demand levels, and the stability of energy infrastructure across Gulf countries in coming weeks.

NEW YORK, March 22, 2026, 2:24 PM EDT

U.S. natural gas opens the week trading close to $3.10 per mmBtu, following Friday’s settlement for the front-month April Henry Hub contract at $3.095. The main issue up ahead: will renewed U.S.-Iran tensions targeting Gulf energy sites send gas prices higher along with the broader energy sector as trading kicks back in? MarketWatch

Timing’s in play here. Henry Hub heads into the spring shoulder season—right between peak winter heating and the ramp-up for summer cooling—just as the global LNG crunch gets sharper. After Thursday’s price jump, Reuters said Saturday that the EU pushed members to scale back gas-storage refill goals to 80% from 90%. Officials, it seems, want to avoid fueling more upside. Reuters

Right now, U.S. weather looks mild. NOAA’s new 6-10 day and 8-14 day forecasts show most of the lower 48 heading for warmer-than-average temperatures, except the Northeast, which still stands apart. That mix suggests heating demand should ease off heading through late March into early April. Climate Prediction Center

Storage numbers are pointing in that direction. The Energy Information Administration logged a 35 billion cubic feet injection for the week ending March 13, taking total inventories up to 1.883 trillion cubic feet—2.6% higher than the five-year average. The next update lands March 26. EIA Information Releases

The bullish factor is coming from abroad. On Thursday, Reuters reported that Iranian strikes have taken out 17% of Qatar’s LNG export capacity — that’s 12.8 million tonnes per year — and repairs could stretch from three up to five years. QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi said force majeure might have to be declared on some long-term supply deals to Europe and Asia, a move that would let the company suspend deliveries after such disruptions. Reuters

Analysts aren’t ignoring the risks. Saul Kavonic at MST Financial described the situation as a “doomsday gas-crisis scenario.” Tom Marzec-Manser of Wood Mackenzie added that gas prices in Europe and Asia are set to “remain elevated for longer,” as power generators and industrial players look to alternative fuels when possible. Reuters

Politics over the weekend just added to the confusion. On Sunday, Reuters said President Donald Trump warned he’d destroy Iran’s power infrastructure unless the Strait of Hormuz was cleared for shipping in 48 hours. Iran, for its part, fired back, threatening energy and desalination facilities across the Gulf. IG analyst Tony Sycamore labeled the standoff a “48-hour ticking time bomb” for markets. Reuters

Domestic supply isn’t looking tight enough yet to spark a breakout. U.S. gas rigs fell by two to 131 this week, according to Baker Hughes—the lowest count since early February. Even so, the EIA projects U.S. gas output will climb, reaching 109.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2026 from 107.7 bcfd in 2025. Reuters

That’s part of the reason gas-linked stocks can move out of sync with prompt futures. Cheniere and Venture Global both jumped after Qatar revealed the extent of the damage, while Reuters noted buyers are putting more focus on supply outside the Middle East. Companies like NextDecade and Sempra are increasingly seen as players in the longer-term replacement mix. Reuters

The week sets up for a clear divide. No new Gulf gas or LNG disruptions? Traders may pivot back to the mild U.S. forecast and the early pace of storage injections. But if weekend threats materialize and outages crop up, Henry Hub might begin tracking global moves more closely than it has recently. Climate Prediction Center

Summer’s still in focus on the strip. CME quotes put May at about $3.07 per mmBtu, with June bumped up to $3.20, July holding $3.47, and August at $3.56. Each contract remains above April’s $3.10. Traders are watching three things to break the standoff: Thursday’s storage print, the latest weather models, and any sudden headlines from the Gulf. CME Group

Price movements in platinum are often sharper than gold or silver due to its limited availability and reliance on a few global mining regions. Automotive regulations, global production levels, and technology usage influence the platinum price today. As platinum becomes more relevant in clean energy applications, its daily rate has gained importance for both buyers and investors.

Price movements in platinum are often sharper than gold or silver due to its limited availability and reliance on a few global mining regions. Automotive regulations, global production levels, and technology usage influence the platinum price today. As platinum becomes more relevant in clean energy applications, its daily rate has gained importance for both buyers and investors.

Domestic coffee prices

The domestic coffee market entered Sunday (March 22) with a calm state after a strong increase at the end of the week. According to records, purchase prices in key Central Highlands regions simultaneously surged by another 500 – 700 VND/kg in the previous session, pushing the average price level of the whole region to 94,000 VND/kg. This is the highest price range recorded since the beginning of March, showing the extremely strong recovery momentum of Vietnamese coffee.

Detailed purchase prices in regions:

Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Dak Nong (old): Simultaneously maintaining the highest level in the region at 94,000 VND/kg.

Lam Dong: Nestling stable at 93,000 VND/kg after a 700 VND increase at the end of the week.

Looking back over the past week, coffee prices have had a spectacular “comeback”. From the bottom of 90,400 VND at the beginning of the week (March 16), prices have continuously broken through to regain more than 3,500 VND per kg, dispelling concerns after forecasts about record crops in Brazil.

World coffee prices

At the end of the trading week, international futures exchanges recorded a clear polarization between the two coffee flows:

New York Stock Exchange (Arabica): Closing the trading week at the highest level in 1.5 months. May 2026 futures closed at 309.75 cents/lb. Concerns about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupting global transportation completely overwhelmed the pressure from StoneX’s record production report of 75.3 million sacks.

London Stock Exchange (Robusta): May 2026 delivery limit stopped at 3,664 USD/ton. Despite receiving slight profit-taking pressure at the end of the week due to the strengthening USD, Robusta still received solid support as inventories on the ICE exchange continued to be at a record low in the past 2 months.

Market opinion

Last week, the market witnessed the strength of geopolitical factors confronting long-term supply forecasts. The sharp increase in logistics, insurance and fuel costs due to the conflict in the Middle East has created a temporary “bottleneck”, pushing coffee prices to recover strongly. However, abundant rainfall in Brazil (reaching 139% of the historical average) and Vietnam’s January-February exports increasing by 14% are still factors that need to be noted when entering the new week.

Forecast for next week, coffee prices will continue to fluctuate positively around the 93,500 – 95,500 VND/kg range. If the sea transport situation shows no signs of cooling down, prices may soon re-establish the 96,000 VND mark as at the end of February.

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