News about PLX

Brent crude is trading near $110 a barrel and U.S. crude near $100, up about 80% and more than 70% respectively since the start of the year. William Blair analyst Neal Dingmann warns of a possible “super spike,” as tanker attacks linked to Iran and record shipping costs tighten physical supply. The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at its lowest since 1982, limiting the effect of releases, while heating oil futures have more than doubled this year. Goldman Sachs raised its December Brent forecast to $90 a barrel but sees a possible $125 if oil infrastructure is destroyed or geopolitical risk premiums stay high. Meanwhile, many U.S. producers posted record free cash flow in the second quarter.

According to data from the Tổ chức Hàng hải Quốc tế obtained by TASS, 22 vessels reported being attacked in the Strait of Hormuz from October 1 to 13. The estimated count surpassed the total for all of March 2026, the previous record. The attacks left 15 sailors injured, 2 missing, and 1 ship sunk. October 11 saw the most incidents, with 6 vessels reporting damage, while on October 4 and 13, three vessels each reported damage. The backdrop: the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, 2026. In June 2026, the two sides signed a memorandum for an immediate ceasefire, but on the night of July 8, the Pentagon resumed large-scale strikes on Iran, accusing it of violating agreements related to the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng said the government will amend the fuel business decree and restructure the electricity sector to cut intermediary layers and lower input costs for the economy. The draft fuel decree would reduce trader categories to four, and the number of wholesalers is expected to fall to 14-15 under stricter rules, such as owning at least 40 retail stores and storage capacity of at least 15,000 m3. The PM said nine-month inflation was held at 4.52%, but world fuel prices rose 65% to nearly 90%, and without tax adjustments domestic fuel prices could rise 60-80%. Vietnam's fuel prices are low compared with regional peers, and the budget faces a major revenue shortfall, though the government still implements these measures to share the burden with the economy and consumers. The EVN restructuring plan is being submitted to the government, and land and property prices may fall once the amended Land Law is passed.

Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng said the government will cut intermediary stages in fuel distribution, electricity and healthcare to lower input costs for the economy. The draft new fuel-business decree would reduce the main trader types to 4 and tighten conditions for wholesale traders, with their number expected to fall to 14-15. In healthcare, the government will amend the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment and the Pharmacy Law to remove intermediaries, as medical equipment and drugs have been marked up through overseas intermediary transactions. According to the government's report, inflation was held at 4.52% after 9 months, but world oil prices rising 65% to nearly 90% could push domestic fuel prices up 60-80% without tax adjustments.