{
  "id": 9749179,
  "title": "BofA lifts second-half Brent oil forecast amid ongoing geopolitical tensions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/bofa-lifts-second-half-brent-oil-forecast-amid-ongoing-geopolitical",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-25T10:00:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/bofa-lifts-second-half-brent-oil-forecast-amid-ongoing-geopolitical-tensions/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bank of America analysts have increased their projections for Brent crude prices in the second half of 2026, citing continued geopolitical tensions. In a recent report, the bank raised its forecast for the global oil benchmark to $95 a barrel, up from $83 a barrel. Analysts estimate that disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could reach up to 14 million barrels per day, compared to pre-war averages of 4 million to 8 million barrels per day. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flows, was effectively closed by Iran following a joint U.S.-Israel attack in late February. Recent tensions between the U.S. and Iran have stalled, yet hopes are growing that diplomatic efforts at the United Nations General Assembly could yield progress. Brent crude futures fell on Tuesday, falling below $100 a barrel, having topped that level for several days amid fears that the Iran conflict was escalating into a broader regional war. Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi-aligned forces in Yemen have clashed over control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another vital chokepoint for Gulf oil exports. With Iran having largely shut the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer, has had to rely on the Bab el-Mandeb to connect its crude exports with global markets. However, recent attacks have hampered critical east-west pipelines transporting energy products across Saudi Arabia. Despite some evidence of resilience in regional oil flows, analysts caution that infrastructure damage and heightened tensions could limit supplies. Should such disruptions persist into next year, front-month Brent contracts may experience further price spikes, the analysts predict.",
  "summary": "Analysts at Bank of America have raised their estimates for Brent crude prices in the second half of 2026, pointing to ongoing geopolitical tensions. In a note dated Monday, the bank lifted its forecast for the global oil benchmark for the last six months of the year to $95 a barrel from $83 a barrel. ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}