Oil prices remain volatile as ceasefire headlines collide with a still-closed Strait of Hormuz. In this episode of Focus on Fuels, StoneX energy experts Alex Hodes and Trevor McClanahan analyze the latest oil market developments and what they mean for crude and diesel pricing.

They discuss how conflicting signals around U.S.–Iran negotiations are impacting market sentiment, why physical oil flows remain constrained, and how a prolonged disruption is influencing global supply and demand. The episode also highlights early demand destruction in Asia, ongoing production outages across key Gulf producers, and tightening diesel fundamentals.

Hodes and McClanahan explain how backwardation is shaping the forward curve and what that means for fuel buyers evaluating hedging strategies. They also outline practical approaches to managing price risk, including forward contracting and options structures in a high-volatility environment.

For businesses exposed to fuel costs, this episode provides timely insight into oil price trends, diesel market outlook, and risk management strategies.

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In this episode of Focus on Fuels, StoneX energy experts Alex Hodes and Trevor McClanahan examine the impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions on global oil markets. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed and supply disruptions mounting, they break down what a multi-million barrel per day deficit means for crude and diesel pricing.

The discussion explores competing market scenarios, including the potential for a toll system to restore flows versus the risk of further escalation and direct military involvement. They analyze how these outcomes could affect global supply chains, refinery operations, and price volatility.

Hodes and McClanahan also highlight tightening diesel fundamentals, regional supply imbalances, and the role of backwardation in shaping hedging decisions. For fuel buyers and risk managers, the episode outlines key considerations for navigating near-term uncertainty and managing exposure in a rapidly shifting market environment .

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In this episode of Focus on Fuels, StoneX energy experts Alex Hodes and Trevor McClanahan examine the latest moves in crude and refined product markets. They discuss current price trends, shifting supply dynamics, and what’s driving volatility across the complex.

The conversation highlights ongoing constraints in global refining capacity, regional supply disruptions, and how these factors are shaping diesel markets. Hodes and McClanahan also break down key demand signals, including seasonal shifts and global trade flows, and what they may mean for prices in the near term.

They close with a look at forward market opportunities and considerations for fuel buyers as uncertainty persists across crude and refined products.

For market participants, the episode provides a clear view of the forces influencing diesel pricing and risk management decisions heading into the next phase of the energy cycle.

In this breaking news episode of Focus on Fuels, Alex Hodes and Trevor McClanahan of the StoneX Energy Desk spotlight the sharp rise in oil and diesel prices following renewed geopolitical tensions involving Iran.

They break down what triggered the sudden rally, including political developments, market positioning, and the role of headline-driven and algorithmic trading. The episode examines whether recent price moves are supported by fundamentals, with a close look at Iranian crude exports, supply disruption risks, and the importance of the Strait of Hormuz.

The team also explains why diesel prices tend to react more aggressively during geopolitical events and why, despite the rally, the broader supply outlook still points to downside risk once markets move past the headlines.

In this episode of Focus on Fuels, Alex Hodes and Trevor McClanahan of the StoneX Energy Desk analyze why crude oil prices rallied at the start of 2026, even as the broader fundamental outlook remains bearish.

They examine recent political changes in Venezuela, shifts in global crude exports, and how technical factors and economic data contributed to a sudden move higher in prices. The discussion also explores ongoing risks tied to Russia, Iran, and OPEC policy, and why those uncertainties continue to influence market psychology.

The episode concludes with practical insight for fuel buyers and risk managers, including what diesel margins, inventory trends, and the $55 per barrel WTI level may signal for pricing decisions and risk management strategies in the year ahead.

In this episode of Focus on Fuels, Alex Hodes and Trevor McClanahan from the StoneX Energy Desk break down the recent decline in diesel prices and what it signals for fuel markets heading into 2026.

They discuss how refinery restarts and seasonal demand shifts are rebuilding supply, what the flattening forward curve reveals about market expectations, and why inventories remain a key factor despite recent price weakness. The conversation also covers geopolitical developments involving Russia, Venezuela, and OPEC, and how those risks could reenter pricing.

The episode concludes with practical insights for fuel buyers and risk managers evaluating whether current diesel prices offer an opportunity to reduce exposure ahead of the new year.

With diesel experiencing a 15 cent spike in price at recording time, hosts Alex Hodes and Trevor McClanahan discuss if this latest round of volatility is caused by a short supply squeeze or if fundamental factors might be at play. In this episode of Focus on Fuels, they dig into diesel: supply woes, volatility vs. crude market stability, and what’s coming in the foreseeable future.

Topics discussed include:

• Expect continued volatility and an inverted market

• Crude continues to hover around $60 a barrel

• Potential supply constraints see long-term projections for higher crude prices by 2027

• OPEC+ predictions for supply in 2026

• Return to inflationary environment is a concern

Hosts Alex Hodes and Trevor McClanahan break down a volatile week in energy markets as crude oil falls to the upper $50s. They discuss the impact of refinery maintenance in Europe, Russia’s diesel export cuts, and China’s shifting buying patterns. The conversation also covers U.S. diesel inventories, heating oil demand heading into winter, and OPEC’s next supply moves. Gain timely insights into what energy buyers should watch as supply pressures and seasonal demand collide.

With the Fed delivering a 25-point rate cut and signaling more ahead, hosts Alex Hodes and Trevor McClanahan unpack how monetary policy is shaping the energy market’s near-term direction. In this episode of Focus on Fuels, they break down rising diesel inventories, sluggish U.S. crude production, and why refined products – not crude – are leading price action right now.

The conversation spans:

Market response to Fed cuts and soft labor data

Oil supply surplus expectations for late 2025

Impact of unwinding OPEC+ cuts and China’s stockpiling

Ukraine’s refinery strikes and shifting Russian diesel exports

IEA’s updated decline-rate analysis and long-term shale challenges

Trevor and Alex also share their short and long-term outlooks along with a preview of the upcoming StoneX Q4 Energy Market Outlook webinar.

Crude oil markets are under pressure as OPEC adds supply and headlines drive volatility. In this episode of Focus on Fuels, Alex Hodes and Trevor McClanahan discuss how Indian sanctions, seasonal diesel demand, and fall refinery activity are shaping price action. Plus: StoneX Chief Commodities Economist Arlan Suderman joins to assess the ag outlook and what it means for propane and diesel demand.