Flux News

What really built modern oil markets- genius traders, clever tech, or a tight-knit community willing to reinvent the rules? In this wide-ranging conversation, Colin Bryce, co-author of The Rivers of Money: Social and Economic History of Modern Oil Trading, pulls back the curtain on the people, places, and decisions that shaped Brent, birthed ICE, and turned a niche business into a global engine of liquidity. 

From Morgan Stanley’s early experiments and Enron Online’s single-dealer shock, to the Platts–ICE symbiosis and today’s entrenched market infrastructure, Bryce traces how innovation happens, and why it’s harder now. He argues trading has evolved from a solo craft to a team sport, and warns that “speed” adds little social value, and makes the case for client-centric liquidity and real-world relationships in an age obsessed with algorithms. Greg and Colin also look east—China, India, Dubai—and ask whether the next reinvention will come from new centres of gravity or from rebuilding community in the West.

Guest: Colin Bryce
Book: The Rivers of Money: Social and Economic History of Modern Oil Trading

This week on Macro Mondays, the team breaks down a packed week in global markets - from Trump’s new trade deal with China and growing military tension in Venezuela, to the Fed’s pivot away from quantitative tightening amid record US debt. James Todd, Will Cunliffe,and Spyridon Kokas explore whether the AI boom led by OpenAI and NVIDIA is turning into a bubble, why Buffett’s $380B cash pile signals caution, and how Europe’s stagnation and rising oil volatility could shape markets ahead. Plus, they dive into gold’s $4,000 floor, the S&P’s shaky rally, and what traders should watch as recession risks resurface.

Key highlights include:

✅ US-China agree on new trade deal

✅ Trump to attack Venezuela?

✅ Fed to restart QE while US debt rises at record pace

✅ Euro Area struggles 

✅ S&P trends higher thanks to AI, but elsewhere stocks struggle

📊 Key data releases this week:

📅 Monday - US, EA, UK, India and Canada Manufacturing PMI

📅 Tuesday –  Japan Manufacturing PMI, France Budget Balance

📅 Wednesday – US, EA, UK and Canada Services PMI, France Industrial Production

📅 Thursday –  BoE Rate Decision, EA retail sales, Japan and India Services PMI, EA Construction PMI

📅 Friday –   China, Germany and France Trade data, US Michigan data, Japan household spending PMI

🕒 This episode was recorded on Monday, the 3rd of November, 2025 at 12:30PM BST.

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UK diesel prices just jumped after fresh US/UK sanctions targeting Russian oil producers — and the knock-on could be big. In this week’s UK Energy Show, we break down the two-tier oil market (sanctioned barrels stuck “on the water” vs freely traded supply), why diesel is the pressure point, and how Lukoil’s asset sale and Petrofac’s collapse play into UK energy, jobs, and prices. We also dig into North Sea politics (Rosebank & Jackdaw), the Tony Blair Institute’s call to slow the 2030 clean-energy push, and why electricity stays high when gas is ~6p/kWh but power caps at ~26p/kWh.
 
What you’ll learn
How tougher secondary sanctions can squeeze legal supply and lift UK diesel
Why India’s pivot to non-Russian barrels tightens the “free” market
The real-world impact: pump prices, logistics costs, and your weekly shop
Lukoil (refinery sales) & Petrofac (administration): signals vs realities
Brent vs dated Brent: the price that actually matters for North Sea flows
Rosebank/Jackdaw economics, Equinor’s role, and UK competitiveness
 
#UKEnergy #DieselPrices #OilMarket #Sanctions #Lukoil #Petrofac #Brent #NorthSea #CostOfLiving #FuelHedging

In this week’s Macro Mondays James Todd is joined by Ed Hayden-Briffett and Will Cunliffe to unpack another turbulent week across global markets.

US equities hit fresh all-time highs as lower-than-expected CPI data fuels optimism - yet the rally is increasingly narrow, driven by speculative tech names with little to no earnings. Meanwhile, recession risks are flashing red, with UBS warning of a 93% probability and nearly a third of US states already contracting.

In Asia, China’s deflation deepens to its worst levels since 2004, while GDP growth slips below target and fixed-asset investment turns negative, underscoring the fragility of its recovery.

Commodities told a very different story: gold suffered its biggest single-day fall since 2013, silver followed suit, and the dollar rebounded as traders priced out rate cuts. Oil surged on renewed Russian sanctions, and volatility returned to precious metals markets.

Key highlights include:

✅ U.S. equites make new all-time highs S&P500 and Nasdaq

✅ While Gold & Silver come crashing down to earth

✅ Brent spikes on fresh Russian sanctions

✅ US CPI come in lower than expected

📊 Key data releases this week:

📅 Tuesday –  Gfk consumer confidence, India Industrial Prod

📅 Wednesday – Spain GDP flash, US pending home sales, FOMC

📅 Thursday –  Euro GDP, ECB interest rate decision

📅 Friday – China NBS PMI, Euro inflation, Germany retail sales

🕒 This episode aired live on Monday, the 27th of October, 2025 at 12:30pm GMT

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In this special extended edition of the UK Energy Show , Greg Newman and Julian Keites break down Ed Miliband’s recent BBC interview and what it really means for household bills, grid investment, and the future of UK energy.
 
From the rising non-commodity costs buried in your electricity bill to the hidden “tax” of net zero infrastructure, we unpack the mechanics behind energy pricing and how government policy is shaping what you pay. We also dive into the promises of 400,000 new green jobs, the role of CFDs and renewables in stabilising costs, and the controversy surrounding Rosebank - the North Sea oil field that could reshape the UK’s energy balance.
 
If you’ve ever wondered why your energy bill isn’t falling, or what’s really driving government energy decisions, this episode gives you the clearest breakdown yet.

CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. The vast majority of retail client accounts lose money when trading in CFDs and spread bets. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs and spread bets work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

In this week’s Macro Mondays, James Brodie is joined by James Todd and Spyridon Kokas as they dive into the most recent market shifts. US regional banks are under pressure, while the broader banking sector now holds over $395 billion in unrealised losses tied to bond and securities markdowns.
 
At the same time, US equities are roaring into year-end, with record inflows into tech stocks and margin debt surging to the highest numbers on record.
 
Meanwhile, China’s macro picture continues to deteriorate. GDP growth slowed, household consumption weakened, and fixed asset investment contracted for the first time since 2020, highlighting a fragile domestic backdrop.
 
In the commodities space, precious metals were rocked by volatility, with both silver and palladium falling sharply despite record inflows into gold and silver ETFs the week prior. With global flash PMIs due this week, investors are increasingly forced to weigh risk-taking against a growing set of macro stress signals.
 
Key highlights include:
✅ US regional banks under pressure: $395B in unrealised losses
✅ China’s fixed investment falls for the first time since 2020
✅ France’s sovereign credit rating downgraded to A+
✅ Tech mania builds as hedge funds keep selling
✅ Precious metals rocked by volatility; Silver down 4.2%
✅ Brent crude trends lower; Bitcoin volatility picks up
✅ Netflix & Tesla earnings on watch
 
📊 Key data releases this week:
📅 Monday – Euro Area Current Account, Canadian PPI
📅 Tuesday – India Infrastructure Output, Canadian Inflation, Fed Waller speech
📅 Wednesday – UK Inflation, Japan Trade Data
📅 Thursday – French Business Confidence, Euro Area Consumer Confidence
📅 Friday – US CPI, UK Retail Sales, Global Flash PMIs, Japan Inflation
 
🕒 This episode was recorded on Monday, the 20th of October, 2025 at 1.30PM BST.
 
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Welcome to the first episode of The UK Energy Show — your weekly deep dive into what’s really driving UK energy prices - and what you can do about it.

This week:

• The aftermath of Storm Amy, and how wind and solar affect power prices
• Why the UK still pays more for electricity than other European countries
• Energy debates from UK politicians at the Energy UK conference
• How Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries shake global oil markets

Host Martin Stanford interviews energy experts Greg Newman (CEO, Onyx Capital Group) and Julian Keats (Energy Market Specialist, Flux), to break down the latest energy headlines - and what they mean for your home and business bills.

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Chapters for this episode are:

0:00 Introduction

1:41 Headlines

25:43 The Buzz: Reacting to the online energy discourse 

33:58 Herd Mentality: Where's are energy prices heading?

CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. The vast majority of retail client accounts lose money when trading in CFDs and spread bets. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs and spread bets work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

In this week’s Macro Mondays, Will Cunliffe is joined by Spyridon Kokas and Harinder Sandhu to break down a high-volatility week in global markets. Silver surged to historic levels, driven by mounting physical supply constraints and intensifying demand from ETF flows. Meanwhile, Donald Trump reignited the US-China trade war, threatening sweeping new tariffs on Chinese exports just as China unveiled a retaliatory shipping surcharge that escalates over the next three years. This discourse has reopened the concerns over global supply chains, inflation, and US economic credibility.

Across markets, the S&P 500 tumbled 2.7% on Friday but futures rebounded early Monday. Bitcoin dropped $20,000, platinum tested decade highs, and Brent crude continues to whipsaw on shifting geopolitical and trade dynamics.

It's a packed week of data ahead from inflation prints to central bank speeches, stay tuned for next weeks episode for more updates.

Key highlights include:

✅ Silver hits record highs on physical squeeze

✅ Trump threatens sweeping new China tariffs

✅ US–China trade tensions escalate

✅ S&P 500 volatility returns

✅ Platinum joins precious metals rally

✅ Brent crude rangebound on geopolitical noise

✅ Bitcoin drops $20k

📊 Key Data releases this week:

📅 Monday – India September Inflation Rate

📅 Tuesday – Powell, Waller, Collins speeches; UK Unemployment; EA Economic Sentiment

📅 Wednesday – China Inflation, Japan & EA Industrial Production, France/Spain CPI

📅 Thursday – UK GDP, Japan Machinery Orders, Philly Fed

📅 Friday – EA Inflation, US Industrial/Manufacturing Production

🕒 This episode was recorded on Monday, the 13th of October, 2025 at 11AM BST.

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In this week’s Macro Mondays, James Brodie, James Todd, and Spyridon Kokas, break down a week of record highs and rising uncertainty. Japan’s new Prime Minister, Senae Takaichi, pledged sweeping stimulus, sending the Nikkei up nearly 5% and the Yen down 2%, as debt fears grew. In Europe, French Prime Minister Lecornu resigned after less than a month, driving Euro weakness and a sell-off in French bonds, now yielding above Italy’s. U.S. data remains scarce amid the government shutdown, with consumer confidence plunging and UBS pegging recession odds at 90%. Gold surged to new all-time high alongside the S&P500, Nasdaq, NVIDIA, and Bitcoin, while silver, platinum and palladium also surged higher; however, Brent struggled near $65/bbl. Bitcoin hit fresh records as liquidity flooded risk assets. With Powell set to speak and four Fed cuts priced in, the team debates whether gold’s relentless rally or the market’s euphoria is telling the real macro story.

👉 Contact us about learning & development: [email protected]

👉 Daily updates on Onyx Institute LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyxinstitute/

Key highlights include:

✅ New Japanese PM supports more stimulus 

✅ Gold, S&P500, Nasdaq & Bitcoin makes new all-time highs

✅ Platinum & Palladium look set to join the uptrend

✅ French PM Lecornu resigns today

✅ EURUSD & French bonds both weaken

📊 Key data releases this week:

📅 Tuesday –  NY Fed inflation expectations

📅 Wednesday –  Fed minutes

📅 Thursday -   Fed Chair Powell speaks

📅 Friday –   UMich consumer sentiment data 

🕒 This episode was recorded on Monday, the 6th October, 2025 at 11AM BST.

🔔 Subscribe & turn on notifications so you don’t miss out on key market insights

Follow us: https://linktr.ee/onyxcapitalgroup

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X: https://x.com/FluxEnergyNews

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onyxcgroup/

CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. The vast majority of retail client accounts lose money when trading in CFDs and spread bets. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs and spread bets work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

In this week’s Macro Mondays, James Todd is joined by Spyridon Kokas and Mita Chaturvedi to dissect a turbulent week in markets. President Trump has unveiled plans for sweeping new tariffs, including a 100% tariff on pharmaceutical imports, just as Washington stares down another potential government shutdown at the October 1st deadline. The Dollar continues to weaken, with Treasury yields sliding as faith in U.S. data erodes and the Fed faces pressure to accelerate rate cuts. Gold and silver both powered to record highs on surging ETF demand, while the Dollar-Yen teeters as the Bank of Japan signals a hawkish tilt. Brent struggles to hold above $70/bbl amid Russian supply hits and a surprise surge in Indonesian exports to China. In equities, Boeing rebounds on a huge Turkish Airlines order, even as the S&P 500 consolidates after recent losses. With non-farm payrolls and critical inflation prints due this week, markets are bracing for another bout of volatility.

👉 Contact us about learning & development: [email protected]

👉 Daily updates on Onyx Institute LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyxinstitute/

Key highlights include:

✅  President Trump imposes new tariff

✅ Looming threat of a US government shutdown

✅ US labour market data on watch this week

✅ USD weakens

✅ Gold makes new all-time highs

✅ S&P 500 recovers from a 3-day decline

📊 Key data releases this week:

📅 Monday – Euro Area Economic Sentiment, Spain Harmonised Inflation

📅 Tuesday – Japan Retail Sales, China NBS and RatingDog Manufacturing PMI, German Harmonised Inflation, France, Italy and Germany Harmonised Inflation, German Unemployment Rate, US JOLTs

📅 Wednesday – US ISM Manufacturing PMI

📅 Thursday – Challenger Job Cuts, US Jobless Claims

📅 Friday – Euro Area PPI, US Non-Farm Payrolls, US ISM Services PMI

🕒 This episode was recorded on Monday, the 29th September, 2025 at 11AM BST.

🔔 Subscribe & turn on notifications so you don’t miss out on key market insights

Follow us: https://linktr.ee/onyxcapitalgroup

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X: https://x.com/OnyxEnergyNews

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onyxcgroup/

CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. The vast majority of retail client accounts lose money when trading in CFDs and spread bets. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs and spread bets work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.