Trade with Conviction

In this episode of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, the team dissects the recent surge in Brent crude prices nearing $73, driven by US trade deals and looming US-Russia sanctions. They explore the complex interplay of global tariffs, Chinese product export trends, and OPEC’s anticipated production hikes, alongside regional dynamics in gasoline, naphtha, and freight markets. With a focus on actio...

In this episode of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, host Rachel Williams and analysts Neil, June, and James dissect critical developments in the global oil market. They explore the EU's latest sanctions on Russian oil, questioning their immediate impact on physical crude flows while highlighting potential geopolitical implications. The team also delves into a robust distillate market, refining c...

This week's Sparta Market Outlook Podcast dives into a mix of global oil market developments, unpacking supply disruptions in Kurdistan and Columbia, shifting geopolitical sentiments around Trump’s policies and Russian oil tariffs, and China’s record-high refinery runs amidst low product inventories. The team analyzes the impact on market sentiment, spreads, and cracks, while addressing refinery h...

In episode 48 of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, host Rachel Williams and analysts Jorge, James, and Phil dissect a volatile week in global oil markets. They explore OPEC+'s decision to increase output amid low global inventories, the persistent tightness in diesel markets, and a shifting landscape for gasoline and naphtha. The team delves into the impacts of crude quality, U.S. tariff delays,...

In episode 47 of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, the team dives into a data-driven analysis of the oil market, exploring US crude output trends, Asian refineries’ shift toward crude diversification amid Middle East uncertainties, and the tightening dynamics in the US Gulf Coast and Cushing. They discuss OPEC’s potential production hikes, the impact of light crude slates on distillate shortages,...

Strap in. Episode 46 of Sparta Market Outlook is a no-holds-barred debrief on a week that saw oil prices plunge, freight markets convulse, and geopolitics dance on a knife-edge. As the dust settles post-Iran flare-up, our analysts unpack the uneasy calm — and the market’s surprising complacency. Rachel, Phil, James, and Neil dissect: Why crude is down $10 even as Middle East tensions simmer The fr...

In this episode of Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, host Felipe Elink Schuurman and analysts Neil and Michael dive into the escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, focusing on the Iran-Israel airstrikes and their ripple effects on global oil and shipping markets. The discussion explores the potential for U.S. involvement, the strategic weakening of Iran’s proxies, and the resulting market volatilit...

In this episode, Felipe Elink Schuurman hosts a full analyst roundtable to unpack a market simmering with geopolitical tension, narrative shifts, and product-specific developments. The team breaks down the fragility of bullish crude sentiment amid Middle East risks, soft OPEC compliance, and US-China trade noise. Gasoline markets are shaped by East-West arbitrage reversals, Singapore’s inventory c...

In episode 43 of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, host Felipe Elink Schuurman and analysts Neil, James, and Phil delve into what’s new in the oil market this week, focusing on supply risks and market tightness. They discuss Libyan export disruptions, Canadian wildfires impacting production, and Iran’s stalled nuclear deal talks as key supply-side concerns. The team also examines physical crude m...

In episode 42 of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, host Felipe Elink Sherman and his global team dive into the latest oil market dynamics, discussing key takeaways from the MPGC conference in Bahrain, OPEC+ production decisions, and the impact of a U.S. court ruling blocking Trump’s global tariffs. They explore rising jet fuel demand in Europe, tight WTI-Brent spreads, and an unexpected fuel oil...

In Episode 41 of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, the team dives into a volatile week in the oil market, dissecting competing headlines from potential Israeli strikes on Iran to shifting U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil and EU adjustments to the Russian price cap. They explore the contrast between bearish bond market sentiments and AI-driven equity optimism, alongside a nuanced view of global oi...

In this episode of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, the team dives into the recent oil market rebound spurred by a 90-day US-China tariff reprieve, analyzing its impact on light ends, crude, and middle distillates. They explore how LPG and naphtha markets are stabilising, the bearish pressures on gasoline despite open arbitrages, and a cautiously bullish outlook on crude driven by tightening US...

In this episode of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, the team dissects the latest oil market dynamics, focusing on OPEC's confirmed supply hikes and their mixed market reception amidst tariff concerns. They explore robust refining margins driving high run rates globally, particularly in Asia and the U.S., and analyse tightness in the medium crude market despite North Sea weaknesses. The discussio...

In this episode of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, host Rachel Williams and analysts Neil and June dissect a pivotal moment in the oil market, marked by a $5 price drop, shifting physical crude dynamics, and mixed macro signals. They explore the impact of potential secondary sanctions on Russian oil, OPEC+ supply hikes, and a weakening Dubai market, contrasted by strengthening Brent spreads. Th...

In this episode of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, host Rachel Williams and the Sparta team dive into a volatile oil market shaped by headline-driven flat price movements and underlying structural dynamics. They explore the impact of geopolitical developments, such as Kazakhstan’s OPEC+ compliance issues and potential Iran deal progress, alongside tight product markets and strong Brent-related...

This week on Sparta Market Outlook, we unpack the post-“Liberation Day” chaos: WTI is on sale, US shale producers are feeling the squeeze, and product cracks are painting a bullish picture—despite bearish forecasts. From Warsaw, Indiana (not Poland) to East Asia, we trace shifting trade flows, a naphtha comeback, and why margins might be lying to you. Is this the calm after the tariff storm—or jus...

In this episode of Sparta Market Outlook, host Felipe Elink Schuurman and analysts Neil Crosby, June Goh, and Jorge Molinero analyse the oil market’s reaction to tariff announcements, including a $15 flat price drop and significant LPG disruptions. They explore how physical markets—crude, diesel, and gasoline—have held steady despite the noise, while naphtha and LPG face bearish pressures tied to...

The latest Sparta Market Outlook Podcast dives into oil market chaos sparked by "Liberation Day" tariff uncertainty. Host Felipe and analysts Neil, Phil, and Hoa unpack U.S. tariff threats, sanctions on Venezuela and Russia, and their ripple effects across oil markets. Bullish signals - think Russia’s CPC shutdown and tight crude - clash with a wait-and-see mood as traders eye tonight’s big tariff...

In the latest Sparta podcast episode, CEO Felipe Elink Schuurman and the team discuss energy security in today's multipolar world. They reflect on insights from the FT Global Commodity Summit, emphasizing shifts from sustainability to affordability and energy security. Topics include "peak trade" versus peak oil, Trump-era tariffs impacting Venezuelan oil, and their implications on crude oil, dist...

 $42M Raised. AI-Powered Trading. The Refinitiv for Today’s Market.  Last month we announced our $42m Series B raise. That announcement promised a lot, but behind the bluster and marketing speak, what do these promises mean for you, and what do they mean for the wider industry? In this must-listen episode of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast recorded during IE Week, Rachel Williams and Felipe pull...

In this episode of Sparta Market Outlook, Rachel, Neil, and Phil break down why traders can stay bullish despite oil market volatility. They cover rising geopolitical risk premiums, the potential North Sea crude rebound, and why distillates and gasoline are primed to rally. With China’s demand ticking up and refining margins set to firm, the team delivers insights to help traders cut through the n...

This special episode of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, 'At the crossroads of oil and freight', focuses on the intersection of freight markets and oil trading. It offers an in-depth analysis of current trends, disruptions, and geopolitical influences shaping global shipping and commodity flows. Recorded live in Singapore on 18th March 2025, the episode features host Felipe Elink Schuurman, co-h...

This special episode of the Sparta Market Outlook Podcast, 'At the crossroads of oil and freight', focuses on the intersection of freight markets and oil trading. It offers an in-depth analysis of current trends, disruptions, and geopolitical influences shaping global shipping and commodity flows. Recorded live in Singapore on 18th March 2025, the episode features host Felipe Elink Schuurman, co-h...

Join host Rachel Williams and the Sparta analyst team as they dissect this week's global oil and energy markets. They cover tariff uncertainties, macro bearishness (the "Trump slump"), and the flat price sell-off. Highlights include a mildly bullish outlook on distillates, a cautious watch on gasoline flows, and naphtha’s short-term tightness.    📌 Chapters:   (01:45) Tariff Turmoil and the Trump...

In this episode of Sparta Market Outlook, Felipe, Neil, Phil John and Michael dive deep into THE topic shaking the trading community—tariffs. 🛢️💰 📌 Key discussions: 🔹 The impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican energy 🔹 Market reactions: crude prices, refinery margins, and freight shifts 🔹 How tariffs are reshaping gasoline and diesel flows 🔹 OPEC’s supply increase & the global en...