The latest Market Talks covering Energy markets. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.

1004 ET - Airstrikes hitting Houthi targets in Yemen over the weekend are providing crude oil with a boost early, with the most-active contract up 1.1% to $67.91 a barrel. "U.S. operations against Yemen's Houthis could leave traders on edge," says Milad Azar of XTB MENA in a note. "The geopolitical risks could support oil prices in the short term, but the market could remain cautious in the face of the uncertainty regarding the long-term impact," says Azar. Brent Crude is up 1% to $71.31 a barrel in early trading. (kirk.maltais@wsj.com)

0923 ET - Warmer temperatures seen across the U.S. are putting pressure on natural gas futures early in trading--with the most-active contract down 1.7%. Expected warmth throughout the U.S. appears to be offsetting tariff war uncertainty, says NatGasWeather.com in a note--particularly in the middle of the country. But continuing uncertainty about approaching tariff deadlines and the ever-changing world trade situation is expected to continue this week, says the firm. "This week is expected to remain volatile and where daily breaking tariff war news is likely to again be a major influence," says NatGasWeather.com. (kirk.maltais@wsj.com)

0806 ET - Crude futures extend gains in midday trade as China's economic data and plans to boost consumption fuel hopes for higher demand. Brent and WTI are both up 1.4% at $71.53 and $68.10 a barrel, respectively. Positive signals from China are set to lift Brent crude out of the depressed range it has been trading in over the past eight to nine days, according to SEB's chief commodities analyst Bjarne Schieldrop. Prices are also supported by rising geopolitical risks after the U.S. said strikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels will continue until the group ceases targeting commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea. However, the overall sentiment remains bearish. Further price gains are expected to be limited by fears over the impact of trade tariffs on the global economy and oil consumption at a time when the market already faces a supply surplus. (giulia.petroni@wsj.com)

0615 ET - Palm oil futures fall, erasing earlier gains. Sentiment was likely pressured by the Cargo surveyor AmSpec Agri Malaysia's estimates that showed palm oil exports during the March 1-15 period fell about 10.1% on month. The Concerns about overtightening supply due to seasonal reduced harvesting will likely support prices, but uncertainty around trade policies and weaker export demand could cap upside potential, analysts at Kenanga Futures write in a note. The Bursa Malaysia Derivatives contract for June delivery fell 103 ringgit to 4,371 ringgit a ton. (kimberley.kao@wsj.com)

0524 ET - Goldman Sachs cut its oil-price forecasts for this year and next on expectations of slower demand growth and higher OPEC+ supply. "Brent oil prices have fallen from above $80/bbl in mid-January to $70/bbl despite relatively stable and low inventories," analysts at the U.S. bank say. "The selloff mostly reflects a shift in market focus." Goldman says it now projects oil demand to grow by 900,000 barrels a day in 2025 from 1.1 million barrels a day previously, citing slower U.S. economic growth due to tariffs. It also expects OPEC+ to increase output for four months starting in April. Brent crude is seen at an average of $73 a barrel in 2025, down from $78 a barrel previously, and WTI at $69 from $74. Goldman also cut its 2026 average Brent forecast to $68 from $73, and WTI to $64 from $68. (giulia.petroni@wsj.com)

0509 ET - Eni could return more cash to shareholders than expected, Jefferies analysts Giacomo Romeo and Kai Ye Loh write after hosting a U.S. roadshow with the Italian oil major's management team. Eni plans to keep the 1.5 billion-euro share buyback pledge even if Brent oil is priced in the $60's but are planning for oil at $75 a barrel, the analysts write. On this assumption, there is upside potential to its current guidance on shareholder returns due to better-than-expected operating cash flow delivery and higher-than-expected divestment proceeds, the analysts write. Its financial progress might allow a raise in the payout to shareholders within its range of 35% to 40% cash flow from operations, they write. Shares rise 1.3% to 13.89 euros.(adam.whittaker@wsj.com)

0511 ET - Oil prices rise in early trade after China unveiled plans to boost domestic consumptions and the U.S. vowed to keep attacking Yemen's Houthi rebels. Brent crude is up 0.7% at $71.06 a barrel, while WTI gains 0.8% to $67.69 a barrel. The world's second largest economy and top crude importer released a policy plan aimed at reviving consumption by raising wages, increasing pensions and creating incentives for childbirth, while also reporting surprisingly robust economic activity at the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, the U.S. launched a wave of air strikes on Houthi targets after the group vowed to resume attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea, further boosting prices. Still, gains are capped by concerns that escalating trade tensions could hurt the global economy and fears of an oversupplied market as OPEC+ prepares to increase output next month. (giulia.petroni@wsj.com)

0218 ET - International Container Terminal Services' diversified portfolio of ports in emerging markets should help protect its container volumes and twenty-foot equivalent unit yields, Maybank Securities' Michel Alonso says in a research report. With most of its ports in emerging markets, the port manager's container volumes are primarily aimed at each country's consumption, the analyst says. Only 15% of the Philippine company's volumes are exports, with just 2.5% of total volumes bound for the U.S., the analyst notes. The brokerage raises the stock's target price to PHP460.00 from PHP432.00 to reflect its reduced forecasts for the company's manpower, equipment and facilities-related expenses, while maintaining a buy rating. Shares are 3.0% higher at PHP392.40. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0100 ET - Adani Power may benefit from expected thermal-power generation capacity increase of 12.5 gigawatts over the next five years, Cantor Fitzgerald analysts say in a research report. India's Central Electricity Authority estimates the country's total installed power capacity to reach 777 GW by FY 2029-2030, with thermal power accounting for 32.4% of the mix, the analysts note. With effective capacity of around 17.5 GW, the company is the largest privately owned thermal power generator in India, and is the first player to use more advanced supercritical technology, the analysts add. Cantor Fitzgerald initiates coverage of the stock with an overweight rating and a target price of INR595.00. Shares are 0.3% higher at INR513.55. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 17, 2025 10:05 ET (14:05 GMT)

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