The perfect storm has begun in the global oil industry – enough to strop Putin? Crude oil prices have dropped sharply, and the forces driving the decline suggest the market could have further to fall. Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to raise oil production, combined with rising global trade tensions, is pressuring both supply and demand in ways that risk deepening the downturn. Last week, Saudi Arabia led an unexpected push to increase OPEC+ output— timed just hours before the U.S.

Russia’s auto industry has entered a full state of collapse with the country’s flagship KAMAZ truck company reporting 2024 earnings down a stunning -96%. March sales at the maker of Lada (AvtoVAS) down -33%, and overall Russia car market hitting -44% year-over-year. Russian Auto Industry in Freefall, as both AvtoVAS and KAMAZ Report Stunning Declines with KAMAZ 2024 profit down -96% and LADA March sales down -33% year-over-year and total auto market sales down -44%.