WTI Crude Falls Below $102, Brent Under $107 on Wednesday as Rally Stalls

On Wednesday, WTI crude futures fell below $102 per barrel while Brent crude slipped under $107, snapping a three-day rally. The pullback occurred despite ongoing supply constraints tied to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and restrictions on oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. inflation accelerated to 3.8% in April 2026, surpassing the market expectation of 3.7% and marking its highest level in nearly three years, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Energy costs, driven by Middle East geopolitical conflict, contributed significantly to the increase.