Long-form explainers on crude oil, gold, retail fuel and currency. Each piece unpacks one specific mechanism behind the numbers you see on this site.
Roughly two thirds of internationally traded crude is priced off Brent. Here is how a North Sea blend came to define what "the oil price" means.
→ GoldThe international quote is dollars per troy ounce, but jewellers sell by the gram. How the two relate, and how to value 18-carat gold.
→ China fuelRetail fuel prices in China follow a published mechanism — a crude basket, a ten-working-day cycle, and floors and ceilings. Here is how it works.
→ CurrencyWhy does a bank quote four or five rates for the same currency pair? A plain guide to mid-market, bid, ask, and cash versus electronic rates.
→ Crude oilHow does a move in crude actually reach the pump? A look at refinery yields, what a barrel becomes, and why retail fuel prices lag the crude price.
→ China fuelBeijing publishes a provincial price ceiling, not one national price. Here is what actually separates the numbers in 31 regions.
→ China fuelThe grade is knock resistance, not purity. How to choose the right one, whether mixing is safe, and why premium rarely pays.
→ GoldWatching the gold price is not the same as owning gold. A comparison of six ways to get exposure, and what each one really costs.
→ WTI crudeTwo light sweet crudes, two different prices — and the gap is not an error. It is a running read on pipelines, exports and how freely oil can move around the world.
→ WTI crudeWTI is the US oil benchmark, deliverable in a small Oklahoma town called Cushing. Understanding that inland hub explains why WTI and global prices often move apart.
→Brent crude and gold prices are sourced from public market data providers (OilPriceAPI, MetalpriceAPI). China retail fuel prices come from ShowAPI. Rates are collected on a daily schedule and cached on a global edge network.
The prices and rates shown here are reference figures for general information only. They are not exchange settlement prices and must not be used for trading, settlement, accounting or any investment decision. Figures may be delayed and may differ from those quoted by your bank, broker or local retailer.