Goldman Sachs Warns: Oil Could Hit $100 by Year-End Amid Supply Squeeze

Goldman Sachs analysts have significantly upgraded their oil price forecast, warning that crude could surge to $100 a barrel by the end of the year if global supply flows do not normalize. The investment bank now projects West Texas Intermediate (WTI) to average $83 a barrel by the fourth quarter of 2026, signaling a persistent bullish outlook. This revision is driven by a confluence of factors, including sustained production cuts by OPEC+ nations, escalating geopolitical tensions in key energy-producing regions, and robust global demand that has outstripped available supply. Low global inventories provide little buffer against potential disruptions. Such a price increase would have substantial implications for inflation, consumer costs, and business operations worldwide, potentially forcing central banks to reconsider monetary policy. The market remains highly sensitive to further supply shocks and the ongoing actions of major oil producers.