Oil Markets Prepare for Volatile Movements Influenced by Headlines

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

Source: WSJ

Updated: Aug 26 2025

0mins

Source: WSJ

Political Influence on Oil Markets: Trump's recent actions, including the removal of Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook, highlight political risks in oil markets, potentially causing short-term volatility despite not affecting long-term supply-demand dynamics.
Market Reactions and Price Trends: Current oil prices show a slight decline, with WTI at $64.49/bbl and Brent at $68.53/bbl, as geopolitical factors increasingly influence trading over fundamental market conditions.
Demand Concerns in Asia: Early morning trading reflects concerns over demand, particularly following Sinopec's report of a significant profit drop due to weak fuel consumption in China.
Factors Affecting Petroleum Demand: Decreased consumer confidence, rising electric vehicle usage, and improved fuel efficiency are contributing to a sustained reduction in petroleum demand in China, impacting global oil prices.

About the author

Emily J. Thompson

Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.