Trading Conditions:
Axi Symbol: UKOIL
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3 Day Financing: Friday
Long Position Overnight Fee: displayed on the trading platform
Short Position Overnight Fee: displayed on the trading platform
UKOIL is the trading symbol used by Axi for a CFD based on Brent crude oil, one of the world’s leading international oil benchmarks.
Brent is classified as a light, sweet crude oil. “Light” refers to its relatively low density, while “sweet” means it has a low sulphur content. These qualities make Brent comparatively easy to refine into products such as petrol, diesel and jet fuel.
The benchmark takes its name from the Brent oilfield in the North Sea. Today, the Brent benchmark is based on a broader group of North Sea crude oils and is widely used as a reference price for oil traded across international and seaborne markets.
Brent prices are quoted in US dollars per barrel.
Different brokers and financial platforms may use different names or symbols for Brent-based instruments. Common examples include:
These names commonly refer to instruments based on Brent priced in US dollars, although symbols and contract specifications may differ between providers.
An oil CFD, or contract for difference, allows traders to speculate on changes in the price of crude oil without purchasing, storing or taking delivery of the physical commodity.
The result of a UKOIL CFD trade is the difference between the opening and closing prices.
Traders can:
CFDs are leveraged products, meaning traders can open a position by depositing a percentage of its total value as margin. Leverage can increase potential returns, but it also magnifies losses.
Oil CFDs may also involve costs such as the spread and overnight financing.
Although oil CFDs are often available on the same platforms as forex CFDs, UKOIL is a commodity CFD rather than a forex currency pair.
| Feature | UKOIL CFDs | Traditional oil exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | No ownership of physical oil | Exposure may be obtained through futures, funds, shares or physical contracts |
| Trading direction | Buy or sell | Depends on the product used |
| Leverage | Available | Varies by product |
| Physical delivery | Not required | May apply to some futures or physical contracts |
| Trading costs | Spread and possible financing charges | May include commissions, fund fees, storage or contract costs |
| Settlement | Based on the price difference | Depends on the product |
Oil CFDs are designed for trading price movements. They do not provide ownership of physical oil or shares in an oil-producing company.
UKOIL is generally based on Brent, a widely used reference price for oil traded across international markets, while USOIL is generally based on West Texas Intermediate, the main US crude oil benchmark.
| Feature | UKOIL / Brent | USOIL / WTI |
|---|---|---|
| Main market association | International and seaborne oil markets | United States |
| Reference location | North Sea crude oil market | Cushing, Oklahoma |
| Crude characteristics | Light and sweet | Light and sweet |
| Common influences | Global supply, seaborne trade and geopolitical developments | US inventories, shale production and refinery activity |
| Common alternative symbol | XBR/USD | XTI/USD |
Brent and WTI prices often move in the same direction because both respond to global oil supply and demand. However, the difference between them, known as the Brent-WTI spread, can change because of US production, storage levels at Cushing, pipeline and export capacity, shipping costs and disruptions to international oil supplies.
Brent crude oil has experienced several periods of sharp volatility, reflecting changes in global supply, economic growth and geopolitical conditions.
Commercial oil production in the North Sea expanded during the 1970s, and Brent gradually developed into an important regional and international pricing benchmark.
Oil prices rose significantly during the 1970s as supply disruptions transformed the global energy market. Prices later weakened during the mid-1980s as increasing production contributed to an oversupplied market.
Brent remained relatively subdued through much of the 1990s before rising rapidly in the 2000s. Strong global demand and limited spare production capacity helped push Brent above $147 per barrel in July 2008. Prices then collapsed as the global financial crisis reduced economic activity and expected oil demand.
Another major downturn occurred between 2014 and 2016. Rising global production, including rapid growth in US shale output, contributed to an oversupplied market and pushed Brent below $30 per barrel in early 2016.
Brent prices fell sharply again in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions and reduced industrial activity caused global oil demand to collapse. Unlike the expiring WTI futures contract that settled below zero in April 2020, Brent remained above zero.
Prices recovered as economies reopened, and Brent climbed close to $140 per barrel in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine increased concerns about global energy supplies.
During 2023 and 2024, prices moderated as traders weighed OPEC+ production restraint against increasing output outside the group and uncertainty about global demand. Brent prices declined further on average in 2025 as rising supply and concerns about an oversupplied market placed pressure on crude oil.
In 2026, the US-Iran conflict and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz contributed to sharp swings in oil prices, as traders assessed how tensions around major production regions and transport routes could affect global supply. Brent traded across a particularly wide range during the second quarter as disruptions restricted oil flows before shipping traffic began to recover.
Brent prices are influenced by changes in global oil supply and demand, international trade flows and geopolitical conditions.
Oil prices tend to rise when expected demand exceeds available supply and fall when production is higher than consumption. Demand is influenced by industrial activity, transport, air travel and the wider economic cycle. Even small changes in expected supply or demand can cause significant price movements.
OPEC and its partner countries, collectively known as OPEC+, coordinate production targets for a large share of the global oil market. Production cuts may support prices by reducing expected supply, while production increases or poor compliance with agreed limits can place downward pressure on prices. Production levels in countries outside OPEC+, including the United States, Brazil, Canada, Guyana and Norway, can also influence the global balance.
Brent is closely associated with the international and seaborne oil market. Disruptions to ports, pipelines and major shipping routes can therefore have a significant effect on prices. The Strait of Hormuz is especially important because a substantial volume of oil exported from the Middle East passes through it. Other important routes include the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and the Turkish Straits. Transportation costs and changes in tanker availability may also affect the price at which oil can be delivered between regions.
Crude oil inventories indicate how much oil is being stored rather than consumed or processed. A larger-than-expected inventory build can suggest that supply is exceeding demand, while a larger-than-expected draw can indicate tighter market conditions. Refinery maintenance, unplanned shutdowns and changes in refinery utilisation can also influence demand for crude oil.
Wars, sanctions, political instability and attacks on energy infrastructure can disrupt production, exports or transportation. Prices may rise even before supply is physically lost if traders believe that a conflict could affect major oil-producing countries or important shipping routes.
Brent is priced in US dollars. A stronger dollar can make oil more expensive for buyers using other currencies, while a weaker dollar can have the opposite effect. Interest-rate decisions may also affect Brent indirectly by influencing economic growth, the US dollar and investor sentiment. Stronger economic activity generally supports demand for transport and industrial fuels, while slower growth can reduce expected consumption.
Hurricanes and severe storms can interrupt offshore production, pipelines, ports and refineries in the United States. Seasonal travel, winter heating demand and changing refinery activity can also affect prices. Government policies concerning drilling, sanctions, strategic petroleum reserves, emissions and alternative energy can influence both current supply and expectations of future oil demand.
Brent traders monitor scheduled reports and unexpected developments that may affect global oil supply, demand and trade flows.
OPEC+ production decisions are among the most closely watched events in the oil market. Traders may consider the headline production target, the timing of changes, voluntary cuts and whether member countries are complying with agreed quotas.
Reports from OPEC, the International Energy Agency and the US Energy Information Administration provide forecasts for global oil supply, demand, production and inventories. Revisions to these forecasts can change expectations of whether the oil market is likely to be in surplus or deficit.
The EIA releases weekly estimates covering US crude oil inventories, production, imports, exports, refinery activity and petroleum-product stocks. Although the report focuses on the United States, unexpected inventory builds or draws can affect the wider global oil market and Brent prices.
The American Petroleum Institute publishes estimates of US crude oil and petroleum-product inventories ahead of the official EIA report. The figures can influence short-term expectations, although they may differ from the subsequent government data.
Traders may monitor production and export figures from major oil-producing countries, including OPEC+ members and other significant suppliers. Changes in exports can sometimes affect prices before official production estimates are published because they provide an indication of how much oil is reaching the international market.
GDP, manufacturing surveys, employment reports and other economic indicators can affect expectations for energy demand. Inflation and interest-rate decisions may also influence Brent through their effect on the US dollar, economic growth and market sentiment.
Conflicts, sanctions and disruptions involving major producers or shipping routes can cause sudden volatility. Because Brent reflects the international seaborne oil market, developments affecting the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and other major transport routes may be particularly important. Significant oil-market news can occur outside scheduled reporting times, which means UKOIL positions may experience sharp price movements and gaps.
Axi offers different account types depending on how you plan to trade UKOIL:
*Other fees may apply.
Fund your account via the Client Portal using:
*Axi does not charge fees, but your provider may.
Open UKOIL and set your order:
UKOIL specifications define how the instrument is priced and traded. Always check the latest details on the Axi platform before trading.
Key details include:
Trading hours and specifications may change due to holidays, market conditions or liquidity provider updates. Always check the latest information before trading.
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