Oil Prices Mixed: Brent at $101.94 Amid Trump’s Ship Initiative

Oil prices were mixed in trading, with Brent crude futures at $101.94 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for June at $108.33 per barrel. This volatility follows President Trump's announcement of 'Project Freedom' to free stranded ships in the Strait of Hormuz, where a blockade has severely impacted shipping traffic. OPEC+ has agreed to increase output by 188,000 barrels per day, raising concerns about market stability. Traders and economists are wary of rising oil prices potentially leading to a global recession, with estimates suggesting that sustained Brent prices over $125 could trigger economic downturns.