Real-time News

Singapore's non-oil exports rose 24.5% year-on-year in April, compared with market expectations of a 9.95% increase.

Futures News, May 18th: Crude oil prices remained high, and positive news pushed fuel oil prices up. Refineries adjusted their shipments accordingly, but downstream traders' deep processing profits were low, and they remained cautious in their purchases, focusing only on immediate needs. Market trading was moderate, and it is expected that fuel oil negotiations will continue to focus on a steady, slight increase today.

Futures News, May 18th: Crude oil prices rose, providing strong cost support. PX prices are expected to rise today, but weak demand will limit market gains.

European stock index futures fell, with Stoxx 50 futures down 0.6% and German DAX futures down 0.7%.

Futures News, May 18th: Geopolitical tensions have escalated again, causing crude oil prices to rise. After a period of adjustment, ethylene glycol is likely to rebound this week. The mainstream market is expected to trade between 4900 and 5200.

The China Earthquake Networks Center automatically determined that an earthquake of approximately magnitude 3.5 occurred near Liunan District, Liuzhou City, Guangxi Province at 07:41 on May 18. The final result is subject to the official rapid report.

On May 18th, according to foreign media reports, soybean oil futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) continued to decline in the week ending May 15, 2026, with the benchmark contract closing down 0.6%, mainly reflecting lower prices for Chicago soybeans and other vegetable oils, as well as weak soybean oil export sales. However, international crude oil futures rebounded, and soybean oil inventories were lower than expected, providing a bottom support for the market. This week, Malaysian palm oil fell 1.8%, and Canadian canola fell 2%; Brent crude rose 7.87%. The soybean oil/fuel oil spread was 152.37 cents, compared to 157.83 cents a week earlier, reflecting continued improvement in biofuel margins. Calculations based on the USDA's weekly crush report showed that for the week ending May 8, 2026, the US soybean crush margin was $4.89 per bushel, down 7.39% from a week earlier. According to the monthly crush report from the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA), soybean oil stocks stood at 1.947 billion pounds at the end of April, down 4.5% from March, slightly below market expectations, but up 27.5% from the same period last year.

The UK's Rightmove average house asking price index rose 1.2% month-on-month in May, compared with 0.80% in the previous month.

Australian Treasurer Charles Chalmers has issued orders to six shareholders to divest their stakes in Northern Minerals. This decision is entirely in line with the recommendations of the Treasurer and the Foreign Investment Review Board, aimed at protecting national interests and ensuring compliance with Australia's foreign investment framework.

On May 18, US President Trump stated in an interview that he still believes Iran is willing to reach an agreement and expects Iran to submit an updated proposal in the coming days. Trump reportedly declined to reveal a deadline for the negotiations but indicated that the US would take stronger military action if Iran did not meet US demands regarding its nuclear program.

On May 18, Kyrgyz President Sadil Japarov called on world leaders to vote for Kyrgyzstan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on June 3. Japarov emphasized, "Choosing Kyrgyzstan will reflect the world community's political will to restore historical justice and ensure that all countries are elected equally to the highest organs of the United Nations."

The UAE's nuclear regulator stated that no radioactive leaks occurred following the Barakah nuclear power plant incident, and there is no risk to the public.

On May 18, shipping giants CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd announced on Sunday that they had suspended all bookings to and from Cuba until further notice. Both companies cited a May 1 U.S. executive order, the latest blow to Cuba's crisis-ridden economy. Two sources said the temporary suspension of new orders by the world's two largest shipping companies could jeopardize up to 60% of Cuba's freight volume. This comes after the U.S. oil blockade severely restricted Cuba's fuel supply. The executive order signed by Trump on May 1 expanded existing U.S. sanctions on Cuban trade to include "any foreign person doing business in the energy, defense and related materials, metals and mining, financial services or security sectors of the Cuban economy, or any other sector of the Cuban economy."

The Saudi Ministry of Defense stated that it has intercepted three drones launched from Iraq, which were shot down after entering Saudi airspace. It reserves the right to respond at the appropriate time and place.

May 18 - A new poll released by Kyodo News shows that the approval rating for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet has dropped 2.5 percentage points from the previous survey to 61.3%. Among the respondents, 70.6% expressed concern about potential disruptions to the supply of naphtha, a petroleum derivative.

On May 18, the Liuzhou Earthquake Relief Headquarters in Guangxi issued a notice activating a Level III earthquake emergency response. The notice stated that a 5.2-magnitude earthquake occurred at 00:21 Beijing time on May 18, 2026, in Liunan District, Liuzhou City, Guangxi (24.38°N, 109.26°E), with a focal depth of 8 kilometers. The epicenter was located in Taiyangcun Town, Liunan District, 2 kilometers from the town center, 13 kilometers from the urban area of Liunan District, and 16 kilometers from the urban area of Liuzhou City. Significant tremors were felt in all areas. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the "Liuzhou Earthquake Emergency Plan," a Level III earthquake emergency response was activated from 01:00 on May 18. All relevant departments were required to enter emergency status and carry out earthquake relief work, including rescue and relief, emergency duty, information gathering, disaster investigation, and social stability maintenance.

According to Sputnik News, Gazprom announced that gas injection records from May 12 to 14 at underground gas storage facilities in Europe have hit a record low.