Brent crude oil price on May 06, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT?
Short Answer
Both the model and the market expect Brent crude oil to be above $107 on May 06, 2026, with no compelling evidence of mispricing.
1. Executive Verdict
- De-escalation in Middle East conflict risks contributed to a Brent price fall.
- China's Q1 2026 manufacturing recovery suggests robust crude oil demand.
- US-Iran conflict significantly disrupts global oil supply via Strait of Hormuz.
- ICE Futures Europe provides the definitive BRENTN6 contract settlement price.
- Hedge fund positioning for May 2026 Brent futures remains undetermined.
Who Wins and Why
| Outcome | Market | Model | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| above $108 | 60.0% | 51.7% | Brent crude prices fell significantly to near $110/bbl due to Middle East de-escalation. |
| above $107 | 65.0% | 58.2% | Brent crude prices fell significantly to near $110/bbl due to Middle East de-escalation. |
| above $108.50 | 48.0% | 39.7% | Brent crude prices fell significantly to near $110/bbl due to Middle East de-escalation. |
| above $107.50 | 66.0% | 58.2% | Brent crude prices fell significantly to near $110/bbl due to Middle East de-escalation. |
| above $115.50 | 7.0% | 5.8% | Brent crude prices fell significantly to near $110/bbl due to Middle East de-escalation. |
Current Context
Exact May 6, 2026, 5 PM EDT Brent crude price is unavailable. A prediction market contract on Kalshi specifically targets the “close price of the 1-minute candlestick” for Brent crude using the BRENTN6 contract on May 06, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT [^]. While this contract defines the precise timestamp for the price inquiry, asking whether it is above 112.50 USD/bbl, the provided information does not disclose the actual realized price at that specific moment [^].
Recent reports indicate Brent crude prices around the requested period. CNBC reported on May 5, 2026, that Brent crude futures closed at $109.87/bbl, with WTI at $102.27/bbl, following a fall in oil prices after news of an Iran ceasefire [^]. This provides a directional data point for trading on May 6 but does not offer the exact May 6 at 5:00 PM EDT price requested [^]. Additionally, the EIA’s “Spot Prices for Crude Oil and Petroleum Products” provides daily Brent-Europe spot prices, with a next release date of May 6, 2026 [^]. However, the search results for this source did not include the May 6 value at 5:00 PM EDT, as it presents daily spot data rather than an intraday timestamp [^]. Similarly, Yahoo Finance’s historical data for Brent futures (BZ=F) shows a May 5, 2026 entry around 4:45 PM EDT, but it does not provide the precise May 6 at 5:00 PM EDT figure [^].
2. Market Behavior & Price Dynamics
Historical Price (Probability)
Outcome probability
Date
This prediction market has exhibited a significant downward trend, moving from a starting probability of 75.0% to a current price of 63.0%. The most prominent price action was a sharp 12.0 percentage point drop on May 5, 2026. This decline directly correlates with news of an Iran ceasefire and a de-escalation of conflict in the Middle East, which eased market fears of a supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz. Before this event, the market had traded as high as 94.0%, indicating strong expectations that geopolitical risk would keep oil prices elevated. The news event caused a fundamental repricing of this risk, leading to the dramatic fall in the contract's probability.
The volume patterns strongly support the significance of this price movement. The sharp drop to the 63.0% level was accompanied by a massive surge in trading volume, with nearly 5,000 contracts changing hands around this price point. High volume on a major price drop suggests strong conviction among market participants that the de-escalation news would suppress oil prices. The 63.0% level now appears to be a new support level, established with significant market consensus. Overall, the chart reflects a rapid shift in market sentiment from bullish on oil prices, driven by geopolitical risk premiums, to a more bearish or neutral stance following the reduction of that immediate threat.
3. Significant Price Movements
Notable price changes detected in the chart, along with research into what caused each movement.
📉 May 05, 2026: 26.0pp drop
Price decreased from 64.0% to 38.0%
Outcome: above $109
What happened: The primary driver for the prediction market's 26.0 percentage point drop was a significant de-escalation in perceived risks concerning the Middle East conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which reversed previous oil price surges [^]. This shift in sentiment, communicated through traditional news and social media, led Brent crude oil prices to fall by 3-4% on May 5, 2026, landing near $109.87-$110.13 [^][^]. This sharp drop positioned Brent crude close to the $109 threshold, significantly reducing confidence in the outcome "above $109" by the specified date [^][^]. While no specific influential social media posts were detailed, social media activity appeared to coincide with the price movement as a contributing accelerant, amplifying the broader narrative of easing tensions alongside traditional news reporting.
4. Market Data
Contract Snapshot
This market resolves to "Yes" if the close price of the 1-minute candlestick for Brent crude oil (BRENTN6 contract) is above $108.00 USD/Bbl at 5:00 PM EDT on May 6, 2026; otherwise, it resolves to "No." The market opens on May 5, 2026, at 5:01 AM EDT, and closes at 5:00 PM EDT on May 6, 2026, with projected payout by 6:00 PM EDT. Settlement is verified from Pyth data, rounded to two decimal places, using the most recently available data if specific data is not published, and the underlying contract rolls forward 5 business days before its current contract's last trading day.
Available Contracts
Market options and current pricing
| Outcome bucket | Yes (price) | No (price) | Last trade probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| above $107.50 | $0.58 | $0.47 | 66% |
| above $107 | $0.66 | $0.37 | 65% |
| above $108 | $0.50 | $0.51 | 60% |
| above $108.50 | $0.47 | $0.59 | 48% |
| above $109 | $0.45 | $0.61 | 48% |
| above $110 | $0.34 | $0.74 | 39% |
| above $109.50 | $0.40 | $0.66 | 33% |
| above $110.50 | $0.32 | $0.76 | 24% |
| above $111 | $0.27 | $0.79 | 21% |
| above $112 | $0.20 | $0.90 | 14% |
| above $111.50 | $0.23 | $0.87 | 13% |
| above $114 | $0.12 | $0.91 | 12% |
| above $112.50 | $0.15 | $0.93 | 11% |
| above $114.50 | $0.09 | $0.96 | 11% |
| above $113 | $0.14 | $0.95 | 8% |
| above $113.50 | $0.14 | $0.92 | 8% |
| above $116 | $0.07 | $0.96 | 8% |
| above $115 | $0.05 | $0.96 | 7% |
| above $115.50 | $0.06 | $0.97 | 7% |
| above $116.50 | $0.05 | $0.97 | 5% |
Market Discussion
Brent crude was trading around $110-$111 per barrel on May 5, 2026, after earlier slipping from $113 [^][^][^]. Analysts generally expect prices to remain elevated or rise, with forecasts for May 2026 averaging between $108 and $115, and some projections reaching $120-$150 or more if geopolitical tensions escalate further [^][^][^][^][^][^][^]. This outlook is primarily driven by a significant "risk premium" due to ongoing Middle East instability, particularly concerns about supply disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz [^][^][^][^][^][^].
5. What are the Brent crude price forecasts for Q2 2026 from major institutions like the EIA, Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan?
| EIA Q2 2026 Brent Peak | $115/b (Q2 2026) [^][^] |
|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs Q2 2026 Brent | $90/b (as of April 9, 2026) [^] |
| J.P. Morgan 2026 Average Brent | $60/b (February/March 2026 reports) [^] |
Major institutions show varying Brent crude price forecasts for 2026. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) generally presents a more bullish outlook compared to investment banks like Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan. This creates a broad range of expectations, spanning from optimistic peaks to more conservative averages, reflecting different analytical approaches and market interpretations [^][^][^][^].
Institutions provide specific Q2 2026 Brent forecasts, with varying averages. The EIA forecasts Brent crude to peak at $115/b in Q2 2026, with a quarterly average of approximately $114.60/b, and projects a full 2026 average of $96/b [^][^][^]. In contrast, Goldman Sachs updated its Q2 2026 Brent forecast to $90/b on April 9, 2026, a revision from earlier higher predictions [^]. J.P. Morgan offers a more bearish perspective, forecasting a 2026 average Brent price of $60/b based on reports from February and March 2026, citing a surplus [^]. Interestingly, prediction markets like Kalshi show a 99% probability for Brent prices to exceed $98.99 by April 30, 2026, indicating strong market sentiment for prices above $100 in early May 2026 [^].
6. What do China's latest manufacturing PMI and crude import data for Q1 2026 indicate about their oil demand trajectory?
| Q1 2026 Manufacturing PMI | 50.4 [^] |
|---|---|
| Q1 2026 Crude Oil Imports YoY Increase | 8.89% [^] |
| Projected 2026 Oil Demand Growth | 1% [^] |
China's manufacturing sector demonstrated substantial recovery in Q1 2026. The official manufacturing PMI reached a one-year high of 50.4, marking an end to a two-month contraction and its highest point since March 2025 [^]. This upturn was driven by a rapid rebound in market demand and accelerated factory operations, with new orders expanding to 51.6% and production increasing to 51.4% [^]. Further supporting this positive trend, the RatingDog China General Manufacturing PMI consistently remained above the 50.0 expansion threshold throughout Q1 and into April, noting that export new orders expanded in April for the first time in two years, reaching 50.3 [^][^][^].
Despite increased imports, China's overall oil demand growth for 2026 is projected to be modest. Crude oil imports rose by 8.89% year-on-year in Q1 2026, accompanied by continued stockpiling [^][^]. However, S&P Global Energy anticipates only a 1% growth in overall oil demand, significantly below the average annual growth of the past decade [^]. Analysts from Kpler project total liquids demand to rise by approximately 360 thousand barrels per day (kbd) in 2026, with this entire growth concentrated in petrochemical feedstocks [^]. Conversely, demand for traditional transportation fuels is expected to decline, with gasoline and diesel projected to decrease by 34 kbd and 63 kbd, respectively. This decline is largely attributed to the rapid adoption of new energy vehicles, which are anticipated to displace around 540 kbd of gasoline demand in 2026 [^].
7. How have the price drivers and the Brent-WTI spread evolved in early 2026, and what does this imply for near-term price direction?
| Brent Crude Price Increase (Jan-Apr 2026) | 90% from $61 to $117 [^][^][^][^][^] |
|---|---|
| Strait of Hormuz Transit Cut | Approx. 80% (4mb/d affected) [^][^][^][^] |
| Brent-WTI Spread Peak | $25 on March 31, 2026 [^][^][^][^] |
Brent crude oil prices rose sharply in early 2026. Prices increased by 90% from $61 on January 1 to $117 by April 29, peaking at $121 in early May [^][^][^][^][^]. This surge was primarily driven by an approximate 80% cut in Strait of Hormuz transit, which impacted 4mb/d of supply, compounded by the ongoing Iran war and a fragile ceasefire declared on April 8 [^][^][^][^]. Further market pressure resulted from the United Arab Emirates' exit from OPEC on April 28 [^].
The Brent-WTI spread significantly widened during this period. It peaked at $25 on March 31, 2026, and averaged $11 in March, marking a five-year high [^][^][^][^]. As of May 5, Brent was trading around $114 with a spread of approximately $9 [^][^]. Bank forecasts for May 2026 Brent crude range from $105 to $125, with an average of around $114 [^]. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected Brent to peak at $115 in Q2 2026, averaging $96 annually, assuming the war ends in April, though ongoing risks suggest a continued price premium [^].
8. Which public data feeds will provide the definitive settlement price for the BRENTN6 contract on May 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT?
| Settlement Price Provider | ICE Futures Europe [^][^][^][^][^] |
|---|---|
| Contract and Settlement Date | BRENTN6 (June 2026) on May 6, 2026 [^] |
| Settlement Period (London Time) | 19:28 to 19:30 [^][^] |
ICE Futures Europe provides the definitive BRENTN6 settlement price. The definitive settlement price for the BRENTN6 (June 2026) contract, scheduled for May 6, 2026, is provided and published by ICE Futures Europe [^][^][^][^][^]. The specific settlement period for price determination typically occurs from 19:28 to 19:30 London time [^][^].
The settlement price is released and publicly distributed by authorized feeds. This price will be released shortly after a 2:30 PM EDT window on the settlement date [^][^][^]. Public data feeds, such as ICE Data Services, which are official feeds from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), along with authorized distributors like Databento, provide this definitive settlement price by sourcing it from ICE's iMpact multicast data feed [^][^][^].
9. According to the latest CFTC Commitment of Traders reports, how are hedge funds positioned in Brent crude futures leading into May 2026?
| Hedge fund Brent crude futures position (May 2026) | Not available (insufficient information) [^] |
|---|---|
| CFTC category for hedge funds | Leveraged Funds in "Financial Traders" breakdown [^] |
| Latest available Brent-related contract data | April 14, 2026 (for "USGC HSFO-PLATTS/BRENT 1ST LN") [^] |
Hedge fund positioning for May 2026 Brent futures remains undetermined. Based on the latest CFTC Commitment of Traders reports, there is insufficient information to establish how hedge funds are positioned in Brent crude futures leading into May 2026. The specific net position for hedge funds or leveraged funds in Brent futures for this precise timeframe was not available in the research results [^]. While the CFTC does publish Commitment of Traders reports, which categorize Leveraged Funds under "Financial Traders," the detailed hedge-fund/leveraged-funds net position for Brent futures leading into May 2026 was not located [^].
Specific Brent-related data lacked clear hedge fund net positioning. A CFTC petroleum futures-only page was reviewed, which presented a Brent-related contract, "USGC HSFO-PLATTS/BRENT 1ST LN," including open interest and aggregated category positions as of April 14, 2026. However, this extract did not explicitly provide the hedge-fund/leveraged-funds net positioning value for the latest May 2026 cutoff [^]. Additionally, a prediction market question on Kalshi concerning the Brent crude oil price on May 06, 2026, did not supply the necessary CFTC Commitment of Traders positioning data [^].
10. What Could Change the Odds
Key Catalysts
Geopolitical tensions, particularly the US-Iran war since February 2026, have significantly disrupted global oil flows, impacting approximately 20% of supply through the Strait of Hormuz [^] [^] . This conflict has already seen Brent crude reach recent highs of $119 per barrel [^]. A prolonged disruption could escalate prices, with risks potentially pushing Brent to $150 [^].
The upcoming OPEC+ meeting on May 3, 2026, is a critical event, as decisions regarding production hikes or delays will be made amid a reported 6.6M bpd deficit [^] [^] . What Hormuz Reopening Means — The Middle East Insider">[^]. This comes as the Brent crude price on May 5, 2026, closed at $110.15, having ranged between $109.62 and $114.43 [^]. Forecasts for May 6 suggest Brent could test $112.15 support, with an upside target of $131.75 [^]. This context is vital given the Kalshi market for the exact Brent price on 2026-05-06 17:00 EDT vs $112.50 threshold [^].
Key Dates & Catalysts
- Expiration: May 13, 2026
- Closes: May 06, 2026
11. Decision-Flipping Events
- Trigger: Geopolitical tensions, particularly the US-Iran war since February 2026, have significantly disrupted global oil flows, impacting approximately 20% of supply through the Strait of Hormuz [^] [^] .
- Trigger: This conflict has already seen Brent crude reach recent highs of $119 per barrel [^] .
- Trigger: A prolonged disruption could escalate prices, with risks potentially pushing Brent to $150 [^] .
- Trigger: The upcoming OPEC+ meeting on May 3, 2026, is a critical event, as decisions regarding production hikes or delays will be made amid a reported 6.6M bpd deficit [^] [^] .
13. Historical Resolutions
Historical Resolutions: 20 markets in this series
Outcomes: 2 resolved YES, 18 resolved NO
Recent resolutions:
- KXBRENTD-26MAY0517-T119.50: NO (May 05, 2026)
- KXBRENTD-26MAY0517-T119.00: NO (May 05, 2026)
- KXBRENTD-26MAY0517-T118.50: NO (May 05, 2026)
- KXBRENTD-26MAY0517-T118.00: NO (May 05, 2026)
- KXBRENTD-26MAY0517-T117.50: NO (May 05, 2026)
Get Real-Time Research Updates
Sign up for early access to live reports, historical data, and AI-powered market insights delivered to your inbox.
