Oil climbs further on unexpectedly large fall in US stocks
Decrease in US crude inventories reinforces views of a tightening supply-demand balance with road and air travel picking up in Europe and North America
23 June 2021 - 08:14
bySonali Paul
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The sun sets behind an oil pump outside Saint-Fiacre, near Paris, France. Picture: REUTERS/CHRISTIAN HARTMANN
Melbourne — Oil prices rose on Wednesday after industry data showed US crude inventories fell more than expected, reinforcing views of a tightening supply-demand balance with road and air travel picking up in Europe and North America.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures jumped 33c, or 0.5%, to $73.18 a barrel at 2.17am GMT, after falling 60c on Tuesday.
Brent crude futures jumped 42c, or 0.6%, to $75.23 a barrel, after giving up 9c on Tuesday.
The American Petroleum Institute industry group reported crude stocks fell by 7.2-million barrels for the week ended June 18, according to two market sources.
That was a much bigger drawdown than the 3.9-million barrels which nine analysts polled by Reuters had expected on average.
If official figures from the US Energy Information Administration due later on Wednesday confirm the drawdown, it would be the fifth consecutive week of declines, showing the US market tightening, ING Economics said in a note.
All eyes are on what oil cartel Opec and allies, together known as Opec+, plan to do when they meet on July 1 as they gauge the demand recovery.
Opec+ is discussing a gradual increase in supply from August, but no decision has been made yet on the exact volumes, two Opec+ sources said on Tuesday.
“The producer group once again faces some tough decisions as the market continues to show tightness. Global progress in Covid-19 vaccination campaigns have seen consumer mobility across US, China and Europe recover sharply,” ANZ commodity analysts said in a note.
“However the prospect of Iranian oil hitting the market in the near term has seen Opec remain cautious about increasing supply,” they said.
A retreat in the dollar from a two-month high hit late last week has also helped prop up oil prices, as a weaker greenback makes oil less expensive in other currencies.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Oil climbs further on unexpectedly large fall in US stocks
Decrease in US crude inventories reinforces views of a tightening supply-demand balance with road and air travel picking up in Europe and North America
Melbourne — Oil prices rose on Wednesday after industry data showed US crude inventories fell more than expected, reinforcing views of a tightening supply-demand balance with road and air travel picking up in Europe and North America.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures jumped 33c, or 0.5%, to $73.18 a barrel at 2.17am GMT, after falling 60c on Tuesday.
Brent crude futures jumped 42c, or 0.6%, to $75.23 a barrel, after giving up 9c on Tuesday.
The American Petroleum Institute industry group reported crude stocks fell by 7.2-million barrels for the week ended June 18, according to two market sources.
That was a much bigger drawdown than the 3.9-million barrels which nine analysts polled by Reuters had expected on average.
If official figures from the US Energy Information Administration due later on Wednesday confirm the drawdown, it would be the fifth consecutive week of declines, showing the US market tightening, ING Economics said in a note.
All eyes are on what oil cartel Opec and allies, together known as Opec+, plan to do when they meet on July 1 as they gauge the demand recovery.
Opec+ is discussing a gradual increase in supply from August, but no decision has been made yet on the exact volumes, two Opec+ sources said on Tuesday.
“The producer group once again faces some tough decisions as the market continues to show tightness. Global progress in Covid-19 vaccination campaigns have seen consumer mobility across US, China and Europe recover sharply,” ANZ commodity analysts said in a note.
“However the prospect of Iranian oil hitting the market in the near term has seen Opec remain cautious about increasing supply,” they said.
A retreat in the dollar from a two-month high hit late last week has also helped prop up oil prices, as a weaker greenback makes oil less expensive in other currencies.
Reuters
JSE could benefit from positive global sentiment amid local third-wave threat
Market data — June 22 2021
MARKET WRAP: JSE mixed before Powell testimony
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