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Crude oil futures fell 5% on Monday and natural gas plunged 26% as investors de-risked on reports that Iran and the U.S. were in talks to avoid war over Iran's nuclear program. Heating oil closed down 14% and gasoline 4%, while the U.S. dollar index rose to a two-week high of 97.72.
Removal of the Strait of Hormuz risk premium lowers energy prices, and a firmer dollar makes dollar-priced commodities more expensive for foreign buyers. Analysts expect a 2026 crude oversupply, which points to softer energy costs for feed producers.
dtnpf.comBarani KrishnanFeb 2, 2026After 255 past bearish geopolitics events, Crude Oil (WTI) moved a median -2.4% over 5 sessions (31% higher; middle half -7.0% to +1.7%), and -5.0% over 20.
After 250 past bearish geopolitics events, Crude Oil (Brent) moved a median -3.1% over 5 sessions (36% higher; middle half -7.9% to +1.6%), and -5.5% over 20.
After 15 past bearish geopolitics events, Natural Gas moved a median -1.1% over 5 sessions (40% higher; middle half -9.2% to +2.4%), and +4.7% over 20.
After 51 past bearish geopolitics events, ULSD / Diesel moved a median -2.4% over 5 sessions (37% higher; middle half -8.2% to +3.9%), and -2.3% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.
Crude dropped 5% as investors de-risked on reports of US-Iran talks to avoid war, and a stronger dollar added pressure.
Natural gas plunged 26% on the same day as investors de-risked across energy on U.S.-Iran talks and a firmer dollar, so sentiment-driven liquidation likely contributed, though the Iran link to U.S. gas is indirect.
