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The Wiregazette

Author

Thomas Whitaker

Commodities & Energy Correspondent. Reports on oil, natural gas, metals, and the supply-chain dynamics that move commodity prices. He connects production, inventory, and geopolitical risk to what traders and businesses pay at the margin. Energy transition and traditional fuels both sit on his beat.

Articles by Thomas Whitaker

Detailed close-up of gold bars and coins symbolizing wealth and investment opportunities.

Commodities8 August 20264 min read

Gold Hits Seven-Week High as Soft Dollar, Falling Oil Prices Spur Rally

Gold prices surged to their highest level in seven weeks on Thursday, driven by a weaker US dollar, lower crude oil prices, and growing optimism over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Spot gold rose above $4,285 an ounce, while domestic prices in Delhi topped Rs 1.53 lakh per 10 grams.

Thomas Whitaker

Close-up of colorful oil and water interaction creating a vibrant abstract pattern.

Commodities8 August 20264 min read

Gold Rises, Oil Slumps as Trump Pauses Iran Strikes, Triggering Commodity Reversal

Gold headed for its biggest weekly gain since January and crude oil prices fell after U.S. President Donald Trump paused military strikes on Iran and signaled a rapid diplomatic resolution, reshaping inflation expectations and lifting risk assets across markets.

Thomas Whitaker

Close-up of a grinding machine in action with sparks flying in an industrial setting.

Asia1 August 20265 min read

Oil Plunge Sparks Broad Relief Rally as U.S. Pauses Iran Strikes

Brent crude tumbled 9% to near $88 a barrel after President Trump halted strikes on Iran for a third night, fueling a rebound in stocks and bonds and a drop in the dollar ahead of a crucial week for central bank decisions and megacap earnings.

Thomas Whitaker

A young adult practicing basketball outdoors on an urban court, focusing on dribbling skills.

US30 July 20265 min read

Futures Rebound as Brent Crude Slips Below $100 on Iran De-escalation Hopes

US equity futures rebounded Friday as Brent crude fell more than 3% toward $97 a barrel, reversing the week’s oil-driven surge after President Trump paused strikes on Iran, easing bond yields and rate-hike expectations.

Thomas Whitaker

A young adult practicing basketball outdoors on an urban court, focusing on dribbling skills.

US30 July 20264 min read

Futures rebound as Brent crude dips below $100, easing oil fears

US equity futures rose Monday as Brent crude fell more than 3% to near $97 a barrel after President Trump declined to continue strikes on Iran over the weekend, marking the first pause in the conflict in nearly two weeks.

Thomas Whitaker

Close-up of Scrabble tiles spelling 'data breach' on a blurred background

Cybersecurity25 July 20264 min read

Origin Energy Breach Exposes Customer Data; Hacker Points to Offshore Weaknesses

Origin Energy confirmed a cybersecurity breach exposing names, addresses, and partial financial details of its customers. An alleged hacker claimed responsibility, citing weak security and the company’s offshoring of jobs as motivation, while the utility faces potential fines and a widening probe.

Thomas Whitaker

A detailed close-up of Indian currency notes and coins, highlighting financial themes.

Forex23 July 20264 min read

RBI Sold $6.1 Billion in May to Defend Rupee as Iran War Sent Oil Soaring

The Reserve Bank of India sold a net $6.1 billion in the foreign exchange market in May, data showed Wednesday, as a sharp rise in oil prices linked to the Iran war drove the rupee to a record low of 96.96 per dollar. The central bank also ramped up forward dollar sales to a record $106.6 billion.

Thomas Whitaker

A detailed look at a wallet with money and a watch on a wooden surface.

Commodities22 July 20264 min read

Gold steadies near $4,000 as dip-buying offsets Iran-fueled Fed hike fears

Bullion trimmed its weekly loss after investors bought on dips below a key psychological level, even as escalating US-Iran hostilities pushed oil above $90 a barrel and reinforced expectations the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by year-end.

Thomas Whitaker

Aerial view of large industrial oil tanks in a desert setting with mountains in the distance.

Commodities22 July 20264 min read

Oil Jumps 3% on Houthi Blockade Threat to Saudi Crude via Red Sea

Brent crude settled at $91.01 a barrel, up 2%, after briefly touching nearly $92, as the Houthi naval blockade on Saudi Arabia forced two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude to Asia to reverse course in the Red Sea. The rally reflects mounting market fears of prolonged supply disruptions across key trade chokepoints.

Thomas Whitaker

A deserted amusement park slide surrounded by autumn foliage, showcasing rustic charm.

Commodities20 July 20264 min read

Futures Slide, Oil Surges as US-Iran Conflict Escalates; Chip Stocks Routed on Korea Selloff

US equity futures fell Monday as escalating US-Iran hostilities drove oil prices higher and a record plunge in South Korean semiconductor stocks reignited concerns over the sustainability of the AI trade. S&P 500 futures slipped 0.4% while Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 1%.

Thomas Whitaker

A deserted amusement park slide surrounded by autumn foliage, showcasing rustic charm.

Commodities19 July 20264 min read

Futures Slide, Oil Surges as US-Iran Conflict Escalates and Korean Chip Rout Deepens

US equity futures fell Monday, dragged by a record drop in South Korean chip stocks and a spike in oil prices after the US and Iran exchanged strikes, rekindling supply fears through the Strait of Hormuz.

Thomas Whitaker

Protest in Stockholm with Iranian flags and social issue slogans.

Commodities19 July 20265 min read

US, Iran Expand Conflict to Infrastructure as Oil Markets Brace for Broader War

The United States struck bridges and an airport in southern Iran while Tehran retaliated by hitting a Kuwaiti power and desalination plant, widening a conflict that has closed the Strait of Hormuz and sent crude prices surging.

Thomas Whitaker

Close up view of a golden Buddha head sculpture adorned with intricate details.

Policy19 July 20264 min read

Gold Heads for Steepest Weekly Drop in Six Weeks as Iran War Fans Inflation, Rate Hike Fears

Gold is on track for its biggest weekly loss in six weeks, sliding more than 3% as escalating U.S.-Iran tensions drive oil prices higher, stoking inflation fears and reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates.

Thomas Whitaker

A dramatic view of Tehran's skyline featuring Milad Tower and a helipad under cloudy skies.

Commodities18 July 20264 min read

US, Iran Strike Infrastructure as Oil Surges, Ceasefire Collapses

Washington and Tehran traded strikes on bridges, airports, and a Kuwaiti power and desalination plant Friday, sending oil prices up 3% and deepening fears of a wider Middle East war after last week's ceasefire unraveled.

Thomas Whitaker

Captivating view of the historic Khaju Bridge reflecting in water during twilight in Isfahan, Iran.

Commodities18 July 20264 min read

US Strikes Bridges in Iran as Tehran Hits Kuwait Desalination Plant, Escalating Conflict That Threatens Gulf Energy Supply Lines

The United States and Iran expanded their target sets to include infrastructure on Friday, with Washington striking bridges in southern Iran and Tehran responding by hitting a power and desalination plant in Kuwait, as the collapse of last week’s ceasefire re-ignites fears over energy flows from the Gulf.

Thomas Whitaker

A claw crane inside a recycling facility lifting scrap metal, highlighting industrial processes.

Policy15 July 20265 min read

Gold Reclaims $4,000 as Cooler U.S. Inflation Data Eases Rate-Hike Fears; Stocks, Bonds Rally

Gold prices rebounded above the key $4,000-an-ounce mark on Tuesday after a softer-than-expected U.S. inflation report slashed the odds of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike at its July meeting, triggering a broad rally across equities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.

Thomas Whitaker