The latest Market Talks covering Energy and Utilities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.
0736 GMT - European energy stocks open lower as oil prices continue to slide ahead of the signing of an interim peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, which is expected to get oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. Under the agreement, the U.S. will allow Iran to start selling oil and fuel once the deal to end the conflict is signed on Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported. This pushes Brent down 1.1% to $78.08 a barrel, while WTI falls 0.4% to $75.47 a barrel. In London, BP falls 1.1% and Shell drops 0.9%. France's TotalEnergies is 1.3% lower while Italy's Eni slides 1.6%. Norway's Equinor is down just over 2%. (adam.whittaker@wsj.com)
0732 GMT - Sariguna Primatirta is likely to post strong net profit after tax growth of 19% in 2026, Nomura's Heng Siong Kong says in a research report. Drivers include the pure-water products producer's sales volume expansion. Nomura sees a shift in Indonesia's consumption habits from boiled water to packaged water among demographics that seek standardized hygiene and relatively affordable pricing. Another driver is the company's year-to-date increase in average selling prices by 6%. However, Nomura cuts its 2026 and 2027 earnings forecasts for the company by 8% and 2%, respectively, to reflect higher packaging cost pressures. It lowers the stock's target price to 620.00 rupiah from 680.00 rupiah with an unchanged buy rating. Shares are 1.0% lower at 388.00 rupiah. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0527 GMT - Japan is rapidly diversifying away from its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern crude amid supply disruptions. The share of Japan's total oil imports from the Middle East on a volume basis fell from around 94% in 2025 to around 80% in April and May, says NLI Research Institute economist Taro Saito. "The diversification of crude sourcing is likely to make further progress," he says.. However, this supply security comes at a premium. Japan's crude import prices from the U.S. during April and May were roughly $10 per barrel higher than price of Middle Eastern crude, Saito says. (megumi.fujikawa@wsj.com)
1921 GMT - Oil futures fall for a fourth straight session as the U.S.-Iran agreement raises expectations of a quick recovery in oil flows out of the Middle East. Reports that Qatar could restore much of its lost LNG production in a couple of months "may be a signal that damage to infrastructure in the war might not be as bad as some feared," Phil Flynn of the Price Futures Group says in a note. Across the region, "much disruption stemmed from logistics/shipping fears rather than irreparable physical destruction." Downward price pressure from returning barrels would be offset by expectations of demand recovery "and the reality that any supply flood won't be unlimited," Flynn adds. WTI settles down 5.8% at $76.05 a barrel and Brent falls 5.1% to $78.96. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)
1914 GMT - Oil futures fall for a fourth straight session as the U.S.-Iran agreement raises expectations of a quick recovery in oil flows out of the Middle East. Reports that Qatar could restore much of its lost LNG production in a couple of months "may be a signal that damage to infrastructure in the war might not be as bad as some feared," Phil Flynn of the Price Futures Group says in a note. Across the region, "much disruption stemmed from logistics/shipping fears rather than irreparable physical destruction." Downward price pressure from returning barrels would be offset by expectations of demand recovery "and the reality that any supply flood won't be unlimited," Flynn adds. WTI settles down 5.8% at $76.05 a barrel and Brent falls 5.1% to $78.96. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)
1622 GMT - Crude futures extend losses on optimism that Middle East oil supply will recover quickly with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The market's rapid response to the U.S.-Iran agreement suggests there was a lot of fear and uncertainty priced in, says John Deal, managing director of capital markets at Post Oak Group. "It's really encouraging that oil has dropped so quickly," he says. "But I don't think it's going to drop much further. We're going right into the summer season so we've got summer travel, airline demand, and also the requirement to refill the storage that's been drawn down." WTI is down 6% at $75.89 a barrel and Brent falls 5.1% to $78.93. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)
1238 GMT - Crude futures continue their retreat on expectations the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding will lead to more oil flowing soon through the Strait of Hormuz. The market appears to be pricing a "quick and sustainable opening" of the strait, Ritterbusch & Associates says in a note. "For now, a major vote of confidence is being applied to the success of this plan with limited regard to thorny issues such as financial compensation, sanctions and especially a satisfactory nuclear deal that was largely the reason behind the war." WTI is down 4% at $77.49 a barrel and Brent is off 3.8% at $80.01. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)
1146 GMT - Norwegian energy company Equinor is the first major in recent times to formally increase its oil and gas capital expenditure budget, RBC Capital Markets analysts Biraj Borkhataria and Adnan Dhanani write. Near-term spending is up by around $1 billion while its medium-term spending is slightly above market expectations, they write. Importantly, Equinor signals more international options, with Canada and Angola added to its list of growth projects, they say. Previously it had focused on the U.K., U.S. and Brazil, they add. Shares rise 0.6% to 327.80 kroner. (adam.whittaker@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 17, 2026 04:20 ET (08:20 GMT)
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