Commodities · Kalshi ·June 19, 2026 ·Edited by Samuel Jo

WTI crude oil closes strong in June 2026

WTI crude oil settled above $73.99 per barrel on June 18, 2026. The rally was driven by an interim U.S. agreement easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which analysts said removed a key supply risk. Earlier in the week, the price had briefly slipped below $75, but the easing of supply concerns and expectations of Fed rate hikes kept buying pressure alive. The crowd had backed an above‑$69.99 outcome with 99%, and odds remained essentially flat with +1 pts as the settlement approached.

Background

Throughout June, analysts highlighted the impact of a U.S.‑Iran interim deal that reduced the threat of a supply disruption in the Gulf. Goldman Sachs trimmed its Brent and WTI forecasts after the agreement, while other forecasters noted that lingering geopolitical uncertainty still supported elevated price levels. At the same time, expectations of Federal Reserve rate hikes added a macro‑economic tailwind to oil demand forecasts.

What to watch

Higher oil prices will likely sustain pressure on global inflation, influence energy‑sector earnings, and shape policy discussions around monetary tightening and strategic petroleum reserves.

AI-written briefing grounded in 8 sources and the live market, edited by Samuel Jo. Odds are crowd probabilities, not advice — how this works.