Oil prices stabilize amid easing US inflation, with WTI crude trading just under $68 per barrel. Production adjustments are key in maintaining market balance.

The 2025 annual OPEC basket price stood at ***** U.S. dollars per barrel as of June. This would be lower than the 2024 average, which amounted to ***** U.S. dollars. The abbreviation OPEC stands for Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and includes Algeria, Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and the United Arab Emirates. The aim of the OPEC is to coordinate the oil policies of its member states. It was founded in 1960 in Baghdad, Iraq. The OPEC Reference Basket The OPEC crude oil price is defined by the price of the so-called OPEC (Reference) basket. This basket is an average of prices of the various petroleum blends that are produced by the OPEC members. Some of these oil blends are, for example: Saharan Blend from Algeria, Basra Light from Iraq, Arab Light from Saudi Arabia, BCF 17 from Venezuela, et cetera. By increasing and decreasing its oil production, OPEC tries to keep the price between a given maxima and minima. Benchmark crude oil The OPEC basket is one of the most important benchmarks for crude oil prices worldwide. Other significant benchmarks are UK Brent, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), and Dubai Crude (Fateh). Because there are many types and grades of oil, such benchmarks are indispensable for referencing them on the global oil market. The 2025 fall in prices was the result of weakened demand outlooks exacerbated by extensive U.S. trade tariffs.

Palm Oil fell to 4,252 MYR/T on July 23, 2025, down 0.26% from the previous day. Over the past month, Palm Oil's price has risen 6.67%, and is up 8.30% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Palm Oil - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Commodity: Inputs to Industries: Net Inputs to Mining and Oil and Gas Field Machinery Manufacturing Industry, Services Less Trade, Transportation, and Warehousing (WPUIP33313023) from Apr 2014 to Jun 2025 about warehousing, machinery, oil, mining, gas, trade, transportation, services, commodities, manufacturing, PPI, industry, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Oil prices surged due to Trump's skepticism about Iran negotiations and optimism for a China trade deal, supported by lower US inflation and positive market sentiment.

In 2019, the inflation rate of the United Arab Emirates was at 1.93 percent compared to the previous year. For 2018, estimates show a sharp increase of over 3.07 percent, before inflation slumps back to around 2 percent in 2029.

Oil is keeping everything afloat

The economy of the United Arab Emirates heavily relies on oil and its respective revenues. The UAE possess vast stable oil reserves, and crude oil production is steadily increasing. Naturally, oil exports – mostly to the Asia-Pacific region – are the main economic driver, and the industrial and services sectors have divided generation of GDP almost evenly among themselves. Oil has caused the UAE economy to thrive and caused an impressive trade surplus just a few years ago, before a dramatic (but still not overly concerning) slump.

Oil is dragging everything down

When oil prices decreased, so did the trade surplus, and inflation mirrored this by skyrocketing from around one percent to over four percent in three years. Another three years later, in 2018, it spiked again at over 3.5 percent – another response to dropping oil prices. Diversifying the economy is one way for the UAE to diminish oil’s monopoly; tourism has been a growing industry over the last few years and might just stabilize inflation if another oil price slump hits.

The crude oil price monthly chart provides valuable insights into the global market, helping investors, policymakers, and consumers understand trends, patterns, and factors influencing oil prices. It allows for the identification of long-term trends, analysis of major events' impacts, and informed trading decisions. Policymakers can also assess the impact on inflation, economic growth, and energy security, making it an important tool for the oil market.

In 2024, the trade surplus of goods in Russia amounted to about ****** billion U.S. dollars, having sharply decreased from the previous year. The indicator is calculated as exports minus imports of goods. A positive value means a trade surplus; a negative trade balance means a trade deficit. Russia's politics and the effect on the economy Russia has maintained a positive trade balance over the last 10 years, but in 2009, Russian exports slumped significantly due to the economic crisis. Since then, Russia has recovered and the country reports a greater surplus now than it did prior to the crisis. However, Russia’s economy has been weakened recently because of reductions in global oil and gas prices, upon which the Russian economy is largely dependent, and because of international tensions as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In the past couple of years, Russia has often reacted with hostility to any developments seen as threatening, and as Russia continues to provoke international conflict, this will affect its economy and likely hurt existing trade relations with both import and export partners. As a result, GDP growth was negative in 2015. This has also contributed to significant reductions in GDP per capita, which will directly affect Russian citizens, and more so as Russia’s inflation is peaking, and the unemployment rate continues to rise. In 2015, the inflation rate was close to ** percent. Economic diversification beyond oil and gas in addition to maintaining trade relations would help Russia’s economy.

Relative to exchange rates in January 1999 when the euro was introduced, the Norwegian krone (NOK) trades at rates not seen for a generation. The currencies of Norway’s main trading partners have lost between 10 and 30 percent of their relative value to NOK since then.

Commodity Index Funds Market Outlook

The global commodity index funds market size was valued at approximately $200 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach nearly $400 billion by 2032, growing at a robust CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period. The significant growth in this market can be attributed to the increasing demand for diversification in investment portfolios and the inherent benefits of hedging against inflation that commodity investments provide. Furthermore, the volatility in global stock markets and geopolitical uncertainties have led investors to seek safer, more stable investment avenues, thus driving the growth of commodity index funds.

One of the primary growth factors propelling the commodity index funds market is the rising awareness among investors about the advantages of commodity investments as a hedge against inflation. Commodities, unlike stocks and bonds, often move inversely to the stock market, providing a cushion during market downturns. This characteristic makes commodity index funds an attractive option for risk-averse investors and those looking to balance their portfolios. Additionally, the globalization of trade and the increasing demand for raw materials in emerging markets have further spurred the demand for commodity investments.

Technological advancements in trading platforms have also significantly contributed to the growth of this market. The advent of sophisticated online platforms has made it easier for retail investors to access and invest in commodity index funds. These platforms offer a range of tools and resources that help investors make informed decisions, thereby democratizing access to commodity investments. Moreover, the rise of robo-advisors and algorithm-based trading strategies has further simplified the investment process, attracting a new generation of tech-savvy investors.

The regulatory landscape has also played a crucial role in shaping the commodity index funds market. Governments and financial regulatory bodies across the globe have been working to create a transparent and secure trading environment. Regulatory reforms aimed at reducing market manipulation and increasing transparency have instilled confidence among investors, thereby boosting the market. Additionally, tax incentives and favorable policies for commodity investments in various countries have also contributed to market growth.

In terms of regional outlook, North America holds a significant share of the global commodity index funds market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The presence of well-established financial markets and a high level of investor awareness in North America are key factors driving the market in this region. Europe, with its strong regulatory framework and increasing adoption of alternative investment strategies, is also witnessing substantial growth. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is emerging as a lucrative market, driven by the rapid economic growth in countries like China and India, and the increasing interest in commodity investments among institutional and retail investors.

Fund Type Analysis

When analyzing the market by fund type, Broad Commodity Index Funds dominate the landscape. These funds invest in a diversified portfolio of commodities, making them a popular choice for investors seeking broad exposure to the commodity markets. The broad commodity index funds are designed to track the performance of a basket of commodities, ranging from energy products to metals and agricultural goods. This diversification helps mitigate risks associated with the volatility of individual commodities, thereby providing a more stable investment option for risk-averse investors.

Single Commodity Index Funds, on the other hand, focus on specific commodities such as gold, oil, or agricultural products. These funds appeal to investors who have a strong conviction about the performance of a particular commodity. For instance, during periods of economic uncertainty, gold-focused funds often see a surge in demand as investors flock to the safe-haven asset. Similarly, energy-focused funds attract investors when there are disruptions in oil supply or significant geopolitical events affecting oil prices. While these funds offer the potential for high returns, they also come with higher risks due to their lack of diversification.

Sector Commodity Index Funds are another important segment within the commodity index funds market. These funds concentrate on commodities within a specific sector, such as energy, agriculture, or metals, allowing investors to target particular segments of the commo

The statistic shows the inflation rate in Russia from 1997 to 2024, with projections until 2030. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase in a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services, on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities and raw materials (e.g., gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. In 2022, the average inflation rate in Russia was at about 13.75 percent compared to the previous year. Russia's economic uplift Based on economic power and economic standards, Russia is recognized as one of the biggest economic powers in the world. With a population of around 143 million people and a re-awakened population growth since 2010, Russia has tried to establish itself as one of the world’s largest economies and wealthiest nations and succeeded, being the sixth-largest economy in the world today. The gross domestic product (GDP) increase in Russia from 2009 to 2014 is also a good indicator of Russia’s economic growth and strength. After the 1998 Russian financial crisis, several reforms were introduced to the Russian economy which allowed it to recover. Not only did the Russian economy experience a great boost, but the quality of life in Russia as well as the people’s satisfaction with the direction of the country has also improved. In comparison to the previous year - with the exception of 2009 -, the Russian real gross domestic product growth rate has increased over the past decade. The trade balance of goods has been experiencing a rapid increase since the beginning of the millennium, with the exceptions of 2007 and 2009 due to the global economic crisis. This allowed Russia to export more goods than it imported. This high trade balance of goods resulted in a low inflation rate in 2012, the lowest recorded inflation rate since 2004.

The statistic shows the inflation rate in France from 1987 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities, and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. In 2024, the inflation rate in France was at about 2.32 percent compared to the previous year. The economy of France France is among the top six countries with the largest gross domestic product worldwide, behind the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, and the United States. It is thus one of the leading economies worldwide. Its economy mostly relies on the services sector with almost 80 percent, agriculture making up only 1 percent of the economy and the industry sector the rest. These three sectors are typically seen as the main pillars of a country’s economy. France is also among the leading exporting countries worldwide and the leading importing countries worldwide. Both France’s exports and imports have increased over the last few years. Its trade balance (a country’s exports minus its imports) has been decreasing significantly over the last decade, which means the value of France’s exports was considerably lower than the value of its imports. France’s main exports include wine, meat, and other food products. Its main imports are manufactured goods, among other products. As for the national finances, the national debt of France has been rising steadily and it is thus counted among the countries with the highest public debt, albeit lower in the ranking. Nevertheless, the standard of living in France is quite high, its life expectancy is among the highest in the world, and the employment rate has been steady, or even rising slightly, since 2009.

In 2019, the average inflation rate in Nepal was at 4.62 percent, a slight drop compared to the previous year. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities, and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. Political and economic turmoilThe Nepalese economy is heavily influenced by the country’s political situation. It has made only slow progress in connecting with the global economy and improving the standard of living for its inhabitants but is now finally picking up speed. Nepal’s economy is not stable yet: Inflation is decreasing but all over the place – usually a sure sign of a struggling economy – and GDP growth is also not steady and forecast to decrease again in the future. Additionally, Nepal’s trade deficit seems to be in free fall. Move to the cityA quarter of Nepal’s, mostly rural, population is living below the poverty line, but Nepal is working on improving their outlook in the future. Today, agriculture contributes about a third to the country’s GDP, and a sizeable share of commodity exports consists of agricultural products – but already the lion’s share of Nepal’s GDP is generated by the services sector, like tourism and textiles. By shifting GDP generation to services, and consequently creating jobs in the cities and attracting more people to urban areas, Nepal might finally be able to stabilize its economy and provide better living standards for its inhabitants.

The statistic shows the inflation rate in Spain from 1987 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services, on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. In 2023, the average inflation rate in Spain increased by about 3.4 percent compared to the previous year. Inflation in Spain As explained briefly above, inflation is commonly defined as the level of prices for goods and services in a country’s economy over a certain time span. It increases when the total money supply of a country increases, causing the money’s value to decrease, and prices to increase again in turn. Nowadays the term “inflation” is used more or less synonymously with “price level increase”. Its opposite is deflation, which, in short, means a decrease of the price level. Spain and its economy have been severely affected by the financial crisis of 2008 (as can be seen above), when the real estate bubble imploded and caused the demand for goods and services to decrease and the unemployment rate in Spain to increase dramatically. Even though deflation only occurred for one year in 2009 and the price level has been increasing since, Spain’s economy still has a long way to go until full recovery. Apart from the inflation rate and the unemployment rate, gross domestic product / GDP growth in Spain and the trade balance of goods in Spain, i.e. the exports of goods minus the imports, are additional indicators of Spain’s desolate condition during the economic crisis and its slow and difficult recovery ever since. Still, there is a silver lining for Spain’s economy. All in all, things seems to be improving economically, albeit slowly; many key indicators are starting to stabilize or even pick up again, while others still have some recovering to do.

In 2018, the average inflation rate in Kenya amounted to about 4.69 percent compared to the previous year, a significant decrease from 7.99 percent the year prior. Forecasts see Kenya’s inflation levelling off at around five percent in the near future.

Kenya sees economic growth

Kenya’s economic growth has been quite steady these past few years and is still on the rise – except for a little dip in 2017, which is no real reason for concern. Gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to almost double by 2024, and unemployment, although still above 10 percent, is on the decline. Although Kenya may not be among the leading countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) yet, but these economic trends plus demographic key factors like a declining infant mortality rate and a life expectancy at birth that has increased by a decade over the same time span show that Kenya is definitely on the way.

A brief look at Kenya’s economy

Kenya’s market-based economy is considered East Africa’s finance and transportation hub. Most of Kenya’s GDP is generated by services, especially travel and tourism, but agriculture is also quite successful, as it contributes about a third to GDP. The country exports less than it imports, and its leading exports are mostly commodities like tea and coffee. Imports include petroleum, machinery, and metals. Subsequently, Kenya’s trade balance is in the red, however, national debt is decreasing.

Iran’s gross domestic product (GDP) inclined by 3.33 percent in 2020 after adjusting for inflation. This figure fell from 13.4 percent growth four years ago, which had been a reaction to sanctions lifting after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPCOA) regarding Iran’s nuclear program. United States president Donald Trump ended that country’s participation in the deal, imposing new sanctions.

Political influence on the economy

Political tensions have hampered the economy of Iran, keeping growth low in spite of the country’s considerable oil reserves. The effect of these sanctions becomes obvious when looking at Iran’s oil exports to Europe over the past decade. Some analysts have blamed the new sanctions for the increase in Iran’s inflation rate, as well as the currency depreciation that has accompanied it.

Iran’s options

Although Iran’s main export partners are largely in Asia, many of the transactions are carried out using U.S. dollars. Even though other means of payment are possible, some countries worry about political ramifications of continuing trade relations with Iran. Iran’s greatest strength at the moment may be its low national debt, meaning that it can borrow a substantial amount of money if it can find a willing lender. However, given the instability of the political situation worldwide and regionally, it is difficult to assume that such a borrower exists at the moment.

CRB Index fell to 375.35 Index Points on July 21, 2025, down 0.40% from the previous day. Over the past month, CRB Index's price has risen 0.25%, and is up 12.61% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. CRB Commodity Index - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Due to the recent hyperinflation crisis in Venezuela, the average inflation rate in Venezuela is estimated to be around 225 percent in 2026. However, this is well below the peak of 63,000 percent observed in 2018.What is hyperinflation?In short, hyperinflation is a very high inflation rate that accelerates quickly. It can be caused by a government printing huge amounts of new money to pay for its expenses. The subsequent rapid increase of prices causes the country’s currency to lose value and shortages in goods to occur. People then typically start hoarding goods, which become even more scarce and expensive, money becomes worthless, financial institutions go bankrupt, and eventually, the country’s economy collapses. The Venezuelan descent into hyperinflationIn Venezuela, the economic catastrophe began with government price controls and plummeting oil prices, which caused state-run oil companies to go bankrupt. The government then starting printing new money to cope, thus prices rose rapidly, unemployment increased, and GDP collapsed, all of which was exacerbated by international sanctions. Today, many Venezuelans are emigrating to find work and supplies elsewhere, and population growth is at a decade-low. Current president Nicolás Maduro does not seem inclined to steer away from his course of price controls and economic mismanagement, so the standard of living in the country is not expected to improve significantly anytime soon.

Iran’s inflation rate rose sharply to 34.79 percent in 2019 and was projected to rise another 14 percentage points before slowly starting to decline. Given the recent sanctions by the United States regarding the nuclear deal, this number has both political and economic implications. Political implications President Hassan Rouhani won the 2017 election based on economic promises, many stemming from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. Lifting these sanctions opened the Iranian economy to many opportunities, including the chance to benefit from increased oil exports. The JCPOA was an integral part of the Rouhani campaign, so any economic hardship that is linked to the deal will likely be blamed on the president. Economic implications High inflation leads to high interest rates, which leads to less borrowing. Less borrowing means less investment, which slows economic growth. This slower growth often leads to higher inflation, which is what economists call an inflationary spiral. As such, Iran will have difficulty achieving substantial GDP growth until inflation returns to manageable rates.

This dataset facilitates an analysis of the impact of the recent Israel-Hamas conflict on the stock market performance of U.S. defense companies, as measured by the returns of defense-sector Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). The conflict is quantified using variables such as a binary "attack" indicator, casualty counts, and the intensity of Google search activity related to the war. Additionally, the dataset incorporates a comprehensive set of control variables, including interest rates, exchange rates, oil prices, inflation rates, and factors related to the Ukraine conflict, ensuring a robust framework for evaluating the effects of this geopolitical event.