Regulators investigate large March-April oil trades linked to subsequent price drops following presidential remarks.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is examining $7 billion in short oil bets placed in March and April. The trades preceded statements by President Donald Trump that triggered oil price declines, raising concerns about potential market manipulation or insider activity.
Initial reports estimated the suspicious bets at $2.6 billion. Exchange data and trading sources indicated the trades were unusually timed, prompting internal warnings within the U.S. administration about using non-public information for personal financial gain.
The investigation focuses on whether traders acted on advance knowledge of policy moves or market-moving statements before they were publicly disclosed.