{"id":58735,"date":"2026-02-18T16:08:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T20:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/oil-prices-surge-over-4-as-geopolitical-impasse-rattles-markets-glencore-seals-major-congo-copper-deal\/58735\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T16:08:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T20:08:32","slug":"oil-prices-surge-over-4-as-geopolitical-impasse-rattles-markets-glencore-seals-major-congo-copper-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/oil-prices-surge-over-4-as-geopolitical-impasse-rattles-markets-glencore-seals-major-congo-copper-deal\/58735\/","title":{"rendered":"Oil Prices Surge Over 4% as Geopolitical Impasse Rattles Markets; Glencore Seals Major Congo Copper Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/oil-prices-surge-over-4-as-geopolitical-impasse-rattles-markets-glencore-seals-major-congo-copper-deal\/58735\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/oil-prices-surge-over-4-as-geopolitical-impasse-rattles-markets-glencore-seals-major-congo-copper-deal\/58735\/#Energy_Markets_React_to_Diplomatic_Stagnation\" >Energy Markets React to Diplomatic Stagnation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/oil-prices-surge-over-4-as-geopolitical-impasse-rattles-markets-glencore-seals-major-congo-copper-deal\/58735\/#Geneva_Peace_Talks_Reach_Impasse\" >Geneva Peace Talks Reach Impasse<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/oil-prices-surge-over-4-as-geopolitical-impasse-rattles-markets-glencore-seals-major-congo-copper-deal\/58735\/#Glencore_Secures_Copper_Expansion_in_Congo\" >Glencore Secures Copper Expansion in Congo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/oil-prices-surge-over-4-as-geopolitical-impasse-rattles-markets-glencore-seals-major-congo-copper-deal\/58735\/#Auckland_Airport_Posts_Solid_1H26_Growth\" >Auckland Airport Posts Solid 1H26 Growth<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/oil-prices-surge-over-4-as-geopolitical-impasse-rattles-markets-glencore-seals-major-congo-copper-deal\/58735\/#Middle_East_Tensions_Weigh_on_Sentiment\" >Middle East Tensions Weigh on Sentiment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Crude oil prices spiked more than 4%<\/strong>, with <strong>Brent Crude<\/strong> settling at <strong>$70.35<\/strong> and <strong>WTI<\/strong> at <strong>$65.19<\/strong>, as diplomatic efforts in Geneva failed to produce a political breakthrough.<\/li>\n<li><strong>President Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/strong> characterized the outcome of U.S.-brokered peace talks as <strong>&quot;insufficient,&quot;<\/strong> citing deep divisions over territorial compromises despite progress on military monitoring.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Glencore (<a href=\"\/stock\/GLEN\">GLEN<\/a>)<\/strong> finalized a major land access deal with Congo\u2019s state miner <strong>Gecamines<\/strong>, aiming to boost copper production to <strong>300,000 tons per year<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Auckland International Airport (<a href=\"\/stock\/AIA\">AIA<\/a>)<\/strong> reported a <strong>6% increase<\/strong> in half-year underlying profit to <strong>NZ$157.1 million<\/strong> and narrowed its full-year earnings guidance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov<\/strong> warned of an <strong>&quot;explosive&quot; escalation<\/strong> risk in the West Bank, further unsettling energy and commodity markets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Energy_Markets_React_to_Diplomatic_Stagnation\"><\/span>Energy Markets React to Diplomatic Stagnation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Global energy benchmarks surged on Wednesday as traders reacted to a lack of definitive progress in high-stakes diplomatic negotiations. <strong>Brent Crude futures<\/strong> settled up <strong>$2.93, or 4.35%, at $70.35 per barrel<\/strong>, while <strong>US Crude (WTI)<\/strong> futures climbed <strong>$2.86, or 4.59%, to settle at $65.19 per barrel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The price action reflects growing market anxiety that the conflict in Ukraine may persist without a near-term resolution. <em>Analysts noted that the sharp uptick was exacerbated by thin liquidity and a sudden shift in sentiment following the conclusion of the Geneva summit.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geneva_Peace_Talks_Reach_Impasse\"><\/span>Geneva Peace Talks Reach Impasse<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Ukrainian President <strong>Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/strong> informed the public that while military representatives discussed ceasefire monitoring mechanisms constructively, the overall results of the <strong>Geneva meetings<\/strong> remain <strong>insufficient<\/strong>. The trilateral talks, involving the <strong>United States, Russia, and Ukraine<\/strong>, struggled to bridge gaps on sensitive political issues, including the status of occupied eastern territories.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>United States<\/strong> has offered to assist in monitoring any future ceasefire, a move Zelenskyy described as a <strong>&quot;constructive signal.&quot;<\/strong> However, the lack of a political roadmap has left markets bracing for continued volatility as the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Glencore_Secures_Copper_Expansion_in_Congo\"><\/span>Glencore Secures Copper Expansion in Congo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the commodities sector, <strong>Glencore (<a href=\"\/stock\/GLEN\">GLEN<\/a>)<\/strong> announced a landmark agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo\u2019s state firm, <strong>Gecamines<\/strong>, to access additional land titles. The deal is expected to unlock the full potential of the <strong>Kamoto Copper Company (KCC)<\/strong>, extending the mine&#39;s life into the <strong>2040s<\/strong> and targeting an annual output of <strong>300,000 tons of copper<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Despite a <strong>6% decline<\/strong> in full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA to <strong>$13.5 billion<\/strong>, Glencore committed to returning <strong>$2 billion<\/strong> to shareholders. <em>The agreement also grants Gecamines the right to tender and sell copper from the operation, marking a significant shift in the local mining landscape.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Auckland_Airport_Posts_Solid_1H26_Growth\"><\/span>Auckland Airport Posts Solid 1H26 Growth<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Auckland International Airport (<a href=\"\/stock\/AIA\">AIA<\/a>)<\/strong> delivered a steady financial performance for the first half of the 2026 fiscal year, reporting a <strong>net underlying profit of NZ$157.1 million<\/strong>. The company declared an <strong>interim dividend of 6.50 NZ cents per share<\/strong> on the back of <strong>NZ$519.6 million<\/strong> in six-month revenue.<\/p>\n<p>Management narrowed its <strong>FY26 underlying profit guidance<\/strong> to between <strong>NZ$295 million and NZ$320 million<\/strong>. The airport continues to navigate a recovery in international travel while managing significant capital expenditure programs.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Middle_East_Tensions_Weigh_on_Sentiment\"><\/span>Middle East Tensions Weigh on Sentiment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Adding to the global risk-off mood, Russian Foreign Minister <strong>Sergey Lavrov<\/strong> told Al Arabiya that the situation in the <strong>West Bank<\/strong> is becoming increasingly tense. Lavrov warned that the region risks a major escalation, describing the current environment as <strong>&quot;potentially explosive.&quot;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>These comments have heightened concerns regarding regional stability and the potential for broader disruptions to trade routes. <em>Market participants are closely watching for any signs of direct involvement from regional powers that could further impact global supply chains.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Crude oil prices spiked more than 4%, with Brent Crude settling at $70.35 and WTI at $65.19, as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50383,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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