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Oil costs slip on China need issues, subsiding Middle East worries

Oil prices slipped in early Asian trading on Tuesday, extending losses from the previous session, over issues about Chinese need and as the market shrugged off the threat of dispute intensifying in the Middle East.

Brent crude oil futures fell by 12 cents or 0.15% to $79.78 a barrel by 0033 GMT. U.S. crude futures were down 14 cents, or 0.18%, at $75.67 a barrel.

A raft of disappointing economic news out of China has shaken markets just recently. China's production activity likely diminished for a 3rd month in July, a poll revealed on Monday.

Also on Monday, Citi cut China's growth projection to 4.8%. from 5% after its growth missed out on analyst estimates in the second. quarter, noting that economic activity softened further in July.

The marketplace is enjoying an upcoming meeting of China's top. decision-making body, the Politburo, anticipated to occur this. week, that could elicit more financial policy assistance.

But expectations are restricted after the Third Plenum, a key. policy meeting in mid-July, mainly reiterated existing financial. policy goals and failed to lift market belief.

Oil fell 2% in the previous trading session after Israel. indicated that its reaction to a Hezbollah rocket strike in. Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday would be computed. to prevent dragging the Middle East into a full-blown war.

That was strengthened by a U.S. diplomatic push, reported by. on Monday, to constrain Israel's reaction and prevent it. from striking either the Lebanon capital of Beirut or any significant. civilian infrastructure in retaliation.

In Venezuela, the opposition said it had won 73% of the. vote, regardless of the nationwide electoral authority having actually declared. incumbent Nicolas Maduro the winner of the election, offering him. a 3rd term in workplace.

Nicolas Maduro's victory in the current Venezuelan election. is a headwind for global supply, as this might result in tighter. US sanctions, ANZ analysts said in a note, estimating that. could cut Venezuela's exports by 100,000-120,000 barrels per. day.

Federal governments in Washington and elsewhere cast doubt on the. results and required a full inventory of votes, and. protesters collected in the areas and cities throughout Venezuela on. Monday.

(source: Reuters)