Combination of an unexpected rise in US crude and fuel inventories and investors taking profits cause fall in prices
21 January 2022 - 12:32
byRowena Edwards
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.
London — Oil prices fell on Friday, after rising to seven-year highs this week, after an unexpected rise in US crude and fuel inventories and as investors took profits.
Brent crude futures were down $1.49, or 1.6%, to $86.89 a barrel by 10.10am GMT. The contract earlier fell by as much as 3%, the most since December 20. A day earlier the global benchmark touched fresh seven-year highs of $89.50 a barrel.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slid $1.52, or 1.7%, to $84.03 a barrel. The contract fell as much as 3.2%, also the most since December 20, after rising to its highest since October 2014 on Wednesday.
The recent rally in crude prices appeared to run out of steam on Thursday when Brent and WTI ended the trading session with slim losses, but both benchmarks have gained more than 10% this year and are headed for a fifth straight weekly gain.
“The latest pullback is most likely due to a combination of pre-weekend profit-taking and the absence of fresh bullish catalysts,” said PVM analyst Stephen Brennock, noting bearish data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The EIA reported the first US stockbuild since November, and gasoline inventories at an 11-month high, against industry expectations.
The EIA also reported a slight decline in refinery runs, indicating lower demand for crude.
However, analysts expect the pressure on prices to be limited due to supply concerns and rising demand.
Oil cartel Opec+, which groups the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries with Russia and other producers, is struggling to hit its monthly output increase target of 400,000 barrels per day.
Tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East are also heightening fears of supply disruption.
UBS expects crude oil demand to reach new record highs this year, and for Brent to trade in a range of $80-90 a barrel for now.
Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley has raised its Brent price forecast to $100/bbl in the third quarter, up from $90/bbl previously.
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 prices retreat from seven-year highs
Combination of an unexpected rise in US crude and fuel inventories and investors taking profits cause fall in prices
London — Oil prices fell on Friday, after rising to seven-year highs this week, after an unexpected rise in US crude and fuel inventories and as investors took profits.
Brent crude futures were down $1.49, or 1.6%, to $86.89 a barrel by 10.10am GMT. The contract earlier fell by as much as 3%, the most since December 20. A day earlier the global benchmark touched fresh seven-year highs of $89.50 a barrel.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slid $1.52, or 1.7%, to $84.03 a barrel. The contract fell as much as 3.2%, also the most since December 20, after rising to its highest since October 2014 on Wednesday.
The recent rally in crude prices appeared to run out of steam on Thursday when Brent and WTI ended the trading session with slim losses, but both benchmarks have gained more than 10% this year and are headed for a fifth straight weekly gain.
“The latest pullback is most likely due to a combination of pre-weekend profit-taking and the absence of fresh bullish catalysts,” said PVM analyst Stephen Brennock, noting bearish data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The EIA reported the first US stockbuild since November, and gasoline inventories at an 11-month high, against industry expectations.
The EIA also reported a slight decline in refinery runs, indicating lower demand for crude.
However, analysts expect the pressure on prices to be limited due to supply concerns and rising demand.
Oil cartel Opec+, which groups the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries with Russia and other producers, is struggling to hit its monthly output increase target of 400,000 barrels per day.
Tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East are also heightening fears of supply disruption.
UBS expects crude oil demand to reach new record highs this year, and for Brent to trade in a range of $80-90 a barrel for now.
Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley has raised its Brent price forecast to $100/bbl in the third quarter, up from $90/bbl previously.
Reuters
European stocks follow Asia, US markets lower
Asian markets fall on US stocks sell-off
Oil heads lower as investors take profits
Gold heads for weekly gain on safe-haven demand
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
JSE weakens on shaky US corporate earnings
Rand eases after rallying to highest since mid-November
Market data — January 20 2022
WATCH: Market Report
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.