1539 ET – Oil futures slip but post weekly gains on escalating conflict in the Middle East, with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis stepping up attacks on Saudi facilities and making territorial advances to strengthen their position near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. “Although much of today’s price pullback appears attributable to talk of Middle East countries discussing a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and some bearish demand aspects to today’s monthly IEA report, the larger negative driver in our opinion, is simply a deserved market correction following this week’s dramatic gains,” Ritterbusch & Asosciates says in a note. WTI settles down 2.4% at $100.05 a barrel for a 9.4% weekly gain. Brent falls 2.8% to $104.61 and is up 8.7% on the week. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

Oil Demand Loss More Damaging for Developing Countries

1239 ET – The IEA’s latest estimate for a 2.5 million barrels-a-day drop in oil demand this year because of the U.S.-Iran conflict puts losses on a par with declines in 2008/09 combined during the global financial crisis, says Raymond James investment strategy analyst Pavel Molchanov. “In developed economies, oil demand destruction involves mostly mild effects, such as suspended airline routes. In lower-income countries, more painful impacts—factory closures, fuel rationing—are visible.” The IEA sees demand barely recovering pre-conflict levels in 2027, “and a portion of demand destruction may be permanent,” he adds.(anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

Authentic Brands Group continues to grow its network of partners for Lee.

On Friday, the global brand and entertainment company announced a strategic partnership with Union Group for Lee in Mexico. The agreement will take effect following Authentic’s previously announced acquisition of Lee from Kontoor Brands, which is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

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Union Group will serve as Lee‘s strategic operating partner in Mexico, leveraging its extensive capabilities and expertise across product development, sourcing, retail, wholesale distribution and e-commerce.

The fully integrated operator has more than 40 years of experience in Mexico, including overseeing the operations for several of Authentic brands. Their partnership began more than a decade ago with Nautica and has since expanded to include Aéropostale, SHAQ, Reebok, Quiksilver, among others.

“Union Group has been a trusted partner to Authentic for many years,” said Victor Alvarino, SVP head of Mexico, Authentic. “Their strong operating capabilities, retail relationships and deep understanding of the Mexican consumer make them an ideal partner for Lee. Lee is an iconic brand with tremendous heritage and significant growth potential in Mexico, and together we have a great opportunity to accelerate its growth and build the brand for the long term.”

Authentic has inked several deals for Lee in recent weeks. Shanghai Huizhong, a wholly owned subsidiary of the HiMaxxGroup, will be the operating partner for Lee across China, Hong Kong and Macau. Authentic also formed strategic partnerships for Lee with One Jeanswear Group for North America and Experience Group across Europe.

“We are proud to expand our longstanding partnership with Authentic by welcoming Lee,” said José Tawil, CEO of Union Group. “Lee is an iconic global brand with a rich heritage and strong foundation in denim and lifestyle, one that generations of Mexican consumers have known and loved. We look forward to working alongside Authentic to bring Lee back to the top of mind position it deserves—e expanding the brand in Mexico and creating new opportunities for its long-term growth.”

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Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said the East-West pipeline was hit several times Thursday in attacks that caused a number of injuries and led the kingdom to shut it down. The crucial pipeline carries crude from Saudi Arabia’s producing heartland on the Persian Gulf to Yanbu on the Red Sea, bypassing the blockage in Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia’s oil industry was already reeling. The kingdom’s crude-oil production fell to its lowest level in more than three decades last month, dropping by 2.3 million barrels to 6 million barrels a day in August, the International Energy Agency said in a report Friday. Saudi Arabia produced around 9.4 million barrels a day on average last year.

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