However, the Block Is Rarely Stable Military conflicts, hurricanes, domestic refinery problems, fluctuations in domestic output abound. Often, the first trace of any breaking news is seen on the futures screen, because oil prices spike and dive. Take a look at the chart below to see how Hurricane Issac sent futures flying and how the market volatility continued. WTI –Post Hurricane Isaac Period when Isaac made US landfall es in $/bbl Pric The NYMEX tends to react to big-ticket items, like: • Currency market moves • Geopolitical “saber rattling” • OPEC decisions • Supply reports, like the weekly U.S. inventory and production figures • Refinery explosions • Weather events Fuel Buying 101, Part 1: Futures and Spot Markets | Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) © 2020, all rights reserved 6