Crude Oil Prices to Hold Above $80 Through 2026: UBI Report

A new report from UBI projects crude oil prices will likely hold between $80 and $85 per barrel in 2026, dismissing the possibility of a drop to $70. The analysis identifies persistent risks to global economic growth and inflationary pressures stemming from this price environment.

The report suggests that while market dynamics could shift, the baseline scenario points to prices stabilizing in the $80-85 range. A fall to $70 per barrel is considered unlikely under current forecasts.

UBI highlights that sustained oil prices in this bracket could complicate central bank policies and dampen consumer spending, thereby acting as a headwind for economic expansion. The inflation outlook is similarly clouded, with energy costs remaining a key variable for price stability.

The findings underscore oil's continued significance as a critical input for the global economy and a primary driver of macroeconomic uncertainty in the medium term.