Mid-Day PulseFri, 13 Mar 2026 · 11:00 UTC · 1 min read

Oil Anchored at $100 as Goldman Hikes Forecast, PCE Looms

Brent crude refuses to budge from triple digits after Goldman hiked its March forecast. BTC extends its bounce above $72K. The main event is still ahead: PCE inflation data at 13:30 UTC.

Oil tanker in the Persian Gulf amid Strait of Hormuz tensions

What Moved This Morning

Oil stays triple digits. Brent holds above $100 after yesterday's 9.2% spike. Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei reaffirmed Hormuz stays closed. Goldman Sachs raised its March Brent average forecast above $100 and sees $85 in April only if shipping resumes.
BTC quietly grinding higher. Bitcoin pushed to $72,486 (+3%), extending the overnight bounce from $69,800. Fear and Greed remains at 15 (Extreme Fear), but price action keeps diverging from sentiment. The $69K floor is holding through repeated shocks.
Gold fading. Spot gold slipped to $5,096, down over 1% on the day as dollar strength wins over the safe-haven bid. The $5,100 level that held all week has cracked. Watch $5,050 as next support.
S&P futures flat before the big number. Equities are in wait-and-see mode after yesterday's 1.5% drop. Polymarket has 66% odds of a down open, but real volume won't come until after PCE.
WTI crude at $96. Recovering from a sharp selloff earlier in the week, up 9.7% from Wednesday's low. Two more tanker attacks off Iraq and UAE coasts are keeping risk premium elevated.

Afternoon Watch

13:30 UTC: January PCE data. This is the event of the day, possibly the week. Consensus is +0.4% MoM core. A hot print kills what's left of rate cut hopes and likely sends BTC back toward $69K and gold below $5,050. A cool print could spark a relief rally across the board. Trade around it or sit it out, but don't ignore it.

Sources & References

This article is market commentary and educational content, published for general information only. It is not investment advice, a personal recommendation, or a solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. ThriveInMarkets is not a licensed investment firm or financial adviser. Trading involves substantial risk of loss. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before making financial decisions.