Latest News

Oil settles up on Middle East tensions, posts weekly loss

Oil rose around 1% on Friday on geopolitical tensions in the Middle East however posted a. weekly loss on a bearish world oil need growth forecast from. the International Energy Company (IEA) and worries about slower. U.S. interest rate cuts.

Brent crude futures settled up 71 cents at $90.45 a. barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures. rose 64 cents to $85.66.

For the week, Brent decreased 0.8%, while WTI fell more than. 1%.

During the week, oil rates neared a six-month high up on. issue that Iran, the third-largest OPEC manufacturer, might. retaliate for a believed Israeli warplane attack on Iran's. embassy in Damascus on Monday.

The marketplace's main focus is on whether Iran will strike back. against Israel, said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil. Associates, with the worry of supply interruption related to. the events in the Middle East supporting rates.

The U.S. anticipates an attack by Iran versus Israel but one. that would not be huge enough to draw Washington into war,. according to a U.S. authorities. Iranian sources stated Tehran has. signified a reaction aimed at preventing major escalation.

Supply chain issues still carry the greatest risk premium as. Iran preserves its danger to shut the Suez Canal, stated Tim. Snyder, financial expert at Matador Economics.

The International Energy Firm cut its projection for 2024. world oil demand growth to 1.2 million barrels daily (bpd).

OPEC on Thursday said world oil demand will increase by 2.25. million barrels each day (bpd) in 2024.

For now the market is primarily in the OPEC 2.2 million bpd. need growth camp instead of the IEA's lowered 1.2 million. bpd forecast, stated Saxo Bank's Ole Hansen.

Friday's gains removed the previous session's losses, which. were dominated by stubborn U.S. inflation that dampened hopes. for a rates of interest cut as early as June.

Greater rate of interest can compromise financial development and depress. oil demand.

U.S. energy companies this week cut the variety of oil rigs. operating for a 4th week in a row, energy services firm Baker. Hughes said in its carefully followed report.

The oil and gas rig count, an early sign of future. output, fell by 3 to 617 in the week to April 12, the most affordable. because November.

Cash managers raised their net long U.S. crude futures and. choices positions in the week to April 9, the U.S. Product. Futures Trading Commission

(source: Reuters)