Updated Feb 20, 2026 15:53 IST
Crude at 6 month high due to US-Iran tension, decline seen in OMC shares including HPCL, IOC
Due to increasing tension between America and Iran, movement in crude oil is being seen. At present, the prices of raw lake have reached a high of 6 months. Crude oil futures for March 2026 delivery on MCX till February 20, 2026, were seen trading almost flat at Rs 6050 per barrel after initial gains. In the international market, Brent crude rose by 33 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $ 71.99 per barrel, while American West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading at $ 67.05 per barrel, up 62 cents, or 0.9 percent. WTI rose above $66 per barrel and started trading at a six-month high after US President Donald Trump gave Iran an ultimatum to negotiate on the nuclear deal.
US President Trump indicated that not more than 10 to 15 days would be given to take the talks forward. Meanwhile, America has increased its military presence in the Middle East to its greatest extent since the 2003 Iraq War. Rising US-Iran tensions, deadlock in nuclear talks and Iran-Russia joint naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz have increased the risk premium in the market. This route carries about 20 percent of the global oil supply.
Fall in shares of oil marketing companies
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Amid the sharp rise in crude oil prices, there was a decline in the shares of government oil marketing companies on Friday. HPCL shares have seen a decline of up to 2 percent. The company’s shares closed at Rs 431.10 on Friday with a decline of 0.75 per cent. BPCL shares also saw a decline on Friday. The company’s shares closed at Rs 365 with a decline of 0.72 percent. Shares of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) closed 0.41 per cent lower at Rs 173.59 on Friday. Analysts believe that the rise in crude prices may increase pressure on refining and marketing margins, due to which investors took a profit-booking stance.
Currently the focus in the market is whether oil supply from Iran will actually be disrupted. Analysts say tensions have risen in the Middle East after several rounds of failed nuclear talks, although investors are still debating how severe the actual supply disruption will be. According to a Bloomberg report, last year also Trump had talked about adopting the diplomatic path, but later he changed his stance and approved joint attacks between America and Israel.
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