Welcome to Episode 25 of the Methanol Market Puts-and-Takes podcast, part of the Chemical Conversations series.

In this episode, Senior Analyst Cassidy Staggers talks with Dave McCaskill, Argus VP of Methanol and Derivatives on:

• Ongoing impacts of the US-Iran conflict on the methanol market
• Why 2026 is shaping up to be a historical year for methanol
• The outlook for methanol markets through 2027

Argus offers methanol prices, news, analysis, forecasts, and consulting. Get more information and request a free trial.

Politics, Freight and the Price of Oil

As political uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and shifting trade dynamics continue to influence global oil markets, separating meaningful market signals from headline noise is becoming increasingly important.

In this episode Argus experts examine the political, economic and market developments shaping crude oil prices, trade flows and supply expectations. From election outcomes and policy decisions to freight market movements and regional conflicts, they explore how these factors are influencing market sentiment and what they could mean for the months ahead.

Listen to discover:

• The relationship between physical crude markets and futures pricing

• How tanker freight costs are affecting global trade flows

• The impact of geopolitical developments on oil supply and market confidence

• What political changes could mean for energy markets and trade policy

• The key risks, opportunities and market signals participants should be monitoring

Gain expert insight into the forces shaping today's oil market and the trends likely to influence trading decisions, risk management and market strategy in the coming months.

In this episode, Argus explores the disconnect between an unprecedented outlook for aerospace and defence markets and a partially stunted titanium market. Airbus and Boeing’s combined commercial backlog exceeds 16,000 aircraft, while global geopolitical instability is fuelling historic defence spending and procurement. Yet titanium inventories remain elevated across several market segments, manufacturers and suppliers continue to debate when build rate ramps will translate into sustained titanium orders, while questions around forging and casting capacity and competing end-markets remain open.

Argus Non-Ferrous Markets Associate Editor, Samuel Wood, and Reporter Reagan Patrowicz speak with Peter Zimm and Kurt Faller from Charles Edwards Management Consulting.