Brent, the global crude oil benchmark, falls 108.27 dollars a barrel, down 1.5% on Monday morning, after Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting certain sanctions and tariff surcharges targeting Russia, according to Bloomberg as relayed by swissinfo.ch on October 19, 2026. Traders are anticipating a possible increase in Russian fuel exports, which is weighing on the price.
The executive order signed by Donald Trump on October 16
Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 16, 2026 suspending certain sanctions and tariff surcharges targeting Russia, which had been set under the law known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The official text published by the White House states, in the section covering the 500% ad valorem tariff increase on Russian goods, that this surcharge applies subject to the exceptions provided in section 114 of the Graham Act and the waivers granted under section 4 of this order. The exact scope of the sanctions waiver itself, as distinct from this tariff clause, is not specified further in the text reviewed.
Brent’s decline observed Monday morning
Reuters, relayed by MarketScreener, reports that oil prices fell on Monday after US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions and tariff surcharges targeting Russia, a move that could lead to more Russian fuel exports, according to the dispatch Oil tumbles as Trump’s Russia sanctions waiver may lead to more fuel supplies. Bloomberg, cited by swissinfo.ch, puts a precise figure on this move: Brent fell 1.5% on Monday morning, to $108.27 a barrel. The market is reading the partial sanctions relief as a signal of additional supply over the medium term, though no institution has yet confirmed any actual increase in export volumes at this stage.
US futures rebound after the Nasdaq’s worst week since June
Still according to Bloomberg via swissinfo.ch, futures on the S&P 500 were up 0.5% and Nasdaq 100 futures were up 1% on Monday morning, following Friday’s session marked by a correction in the semiconductor sector. That Friday pullback came after a week already covered in the October 18 briefing, which noted the Nasdaq’s worst week since June. The rebound seen in Monday morning futures remains a pre-session indication and does not prejudge the closing level, which will also depend on upcoming earnings releases.
The NAHB index due at 10 a.m. New York time
Today’s calendar includes the release of the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, measuring US homebuilder sentiment, scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2026 at 10 a.m. New York time, according to the official calendar reviewed on MTS Insights. The latest figure published by the National Association of Home Builders, for the month of September, showed the index falling to 32, its lowest level since September 2025, down three points from August, according to data from the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. No consensus figure for the October release has been issued by an official source at this stage; only the release time is confirmed.
A busy week for tech earnings
Several major technology and industrial companies are reporting quarterly results this week. According to the calendar reviewed on MarketClock, Lam Research, Tesla, Meta Platforms, Texas Instruments and ASML are all expected to report on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. These releases, which follow a week already marked by the correction in the semiconductor sector, will be closely watched to see whether the rebound observed in Monday morning futures holds through the week.
| Indicator | Value | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brent (barrel) | $108.27 (-1.5%) | October 19, 2026, morning |
| S&P 500 futures | +0.5% | October 19, 2026, morning |
| Nasdaq 100 futures | +1% | October 19, 2026, morning |
| NAHB index (last published) | 32 points | September 2026 |
Frequently asked questions
Why did oil fall on Monday morning?
Brent fell 1.5%, to $108.27 a barrel, after Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting certain sanctions and tariff surcharges targeting Russia. Traders are anticipating a possible increase in Russian fuel exports, which is weighing on the price of crude, according to Bloomberg and Reuters.
Does the executive order lift all sanctions on Russia?
The official text published by the White House provides exceptions under section 114 of the Graham Act and waivers under section 4 of the order, but these clauses specifically govern the 500% tariff increase on Russian goods, not the full scope of the sanctions relief. The text reviewed therefore does not support the claim that this is a general removal of sanctions.
Why are US futures rebounding this Monday?
Futures on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 were up 0.5% and 1% respectively on Monday morning, after Friday’s session, which was marked by a correction in the semiconductor sector that closed out the Nasdaq’s worst week since June.
What economic event is expected today?
The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, measuring US homebuilder sentiment, is due at 10 a.m. New York time this Monday, October 19, 2026. The last known figure, published for September, had fallen to 32 points, its lowest level since September 2025.
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