Oil Updates — prices ease as traders assess US tariffs and OPEC+ output boost

An oil refinery and storage facility is pictured along Buffalo Bayou, also known as the Houston ship channel, south of downtown Houston, US. File/Reuters
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Updated 08 July 2025
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Oil Updates — prices ease as traders assess US tariffs and OPEC+ output boost

  • OPEC+ to raise production by 548,000 barrels per day for August
  • Markets unsettled by uncertainty over Trump tariffs
  • Brent could fall to $65 in autumn months, says Commerzbank

LONDON: Oil prices retreated on Tuesday, having climbed almost 2 percent in the previous session, as investors assessed the latest developments on US tariffs and a higher than expected increase to OPEC+ output for August.

Brent crude futures were down 10 cents, or about 0.1 percent, to $69.48 a barrel at 3:20 p.m. Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude were down 21 cents, or about 0.3 percent, to $67.72.

US President Donald Trump began telling trade partners on Monday that sharply higher US tariffs will start on Aug. 1, though he later said that deadline was not 100 percent firm.

Trump’s tariffs have raised uncertainty across the market and concerns that they could have a negative effect on the global economy and oil demand. Powerhouse Asian economies Japan and South Korea said on Tuesday they would try to negotiate with the US to soften the tariffs’ impact.

While prices seem to be pressured by OPEC+ unwinding its voluntary output cuts, tightness in middle distillates and Houthi attacks on cargo ships are supporting the market, said Rystad analyst Janiv Shah.

On Saturday, the OPEC+ group comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies agreed to raise production by 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) in August, exceeding the 411,000 bpd increases in the previous three months.

Investors were bullish heading into the peak summer demand period in the US, however, with data from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Monday showing money managers raised their net-long futures and options positions in crude oil contracts in the week to July 1.

Once oil demand declines seasonally, the increase in OPEC+ exports will hit the market, raising downside risks to prices, HSBC analysts said in a note.

Analysts at Commerzbank expect the price of Brent to fall to $65 a barrel on the emerging oversupply in the autumn months.

The decision by OPEC+ removes nearly all of the 2.2 million bpd of voluntary cuts made by the group since 2023.

The producer group is set to approve an increase of about 550,000 bpd for September when it meets on Aug. 3, sources told Reuters, which would unwind all of the cuts. 


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.