Brent crude futures trended lower heading into the afternoon, with the November contract slipping 24 cents to $104.64 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate futures showed a split performance; the October contract climbed 43 cents to $102.34, while November delivery fell 17 cents to $97.06. This divergence highlights a market sensitive to immediate supply logistics versus longer-term demand outlooks.

Energy markets recently eased on news that Saudi Arabia might circumvent damage to its East-West Pipeline. However, that optimism faced a reality check Friday as reports emerged that some European refiners were notified of impending supply cuts for the coming month. Daniel Takieddine, CEO of Sky Links Capital Group, noted that diplomatic developments, including Beijing’s outreach to Tehran and planned discussions at the UN General Assembly, are exerting additional downward pressure on pricing.

While futures fluctuate, the impact on consumers remains pronounced. Retail prices continue to climb, with the national average for regular unleaded gasoline reaching $4.4687 per gallon, an overnight increase of 3 cents. Diesel prices saw a sharper jump, rising more than 5 cents to an average of $6.4476 per gallon, according to OPIS/AAA data.