On May 14, oil prices saw a slight uptick with Brent crude futures rising 13 cents to $105.76 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures increasing 12 cents to $101.14. Investors are closely watching the discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which are expected to address significant geopolitical issues, including the ongoing conflict in Iran and the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Despite recent price increases, concerns linger over U.S. interest rate hikes potentially dampening oil demand. Analysts at Morgan Stanley noted that the oil market is facing a critical juncture, with the potential for prices to rise sharply if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for an extended period. Saudi Aramco's CEO indicated that disruptions could delay market stability until 2027, affecting 100 million barrels of oil supply weekly. If the situation escalates, Nuvama Institutional Equities estimates that oil prices could reach between $110 and $150 per barrel, highlighting the delicate balance of global oil supply amidst geopolitical tensions.