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Oil consistent as market weighs United States demand issues, Middle East dispute threats

Oil prices were little changed on Thursday as falling fuel demand in the U.S., the world's biggest oil user, amidst signs of a slowing economy competed with concerns for a widening conflict in the key Middle East producing area.

Brent crude futures edged up 9 cents to $88.11 a. barrel at 0420 GMT, after falling 0.5% in the previous session.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for June. acquired 7 cents to $82.88 a barrel, following a 0.6% drop on. Wednesday.

Data from the U.S. Energy Info Administration (EIA). on Wednesday revealed gasoline demand in the week to April 19. dropped 2.8% from a week earlier and is down 11% from a year. ago. Extract fuel need also declined from a week back and is. down 4.7% from a year earlier.

The falling fuel demand is taking place amid signs of cooling. U.S. business activity in April and as stronger-than-expected. inflation and employment information implies the U.S. Federal Reserve is. most likely to delay predicted rates of interest cuts, weighing on. financial sentiment.

The existing weakness in criteria rates, after screening. above $90 (a barrel) levels, is because of market belief. refocusing on international economic headwinds over geopolitical. stress, stated Emril Jamil, senior oil expert at LSEG Oil. Research.

Geopolitics aside, rates this quarter will be driven by. elements including major producer supply cuts, financial information out. of China and Eurozone, on top of incremental need expectations. as the Northern Hemisphere heads into summertime amid anticipated. tighter supply, stated Jamil.

A much better indicator of the Fed's rate intentions will be. seen after U.S. gdp and March individual. consumption expenditure data is launched on Thursday and Friday.

Combating in the Gaza Strip in between Israel and Hamas is. anticipated to expand as Israel may begin an attack on Rafah, in. the enclave's south, which might increase the opportunities of a wider. war that might possibly interrupt Middle East oil supplies. However, there have been no other signs of direct conflict. in between Israel and Hamas-backer Iran, a major oil producer,. because last week.

Stress between Iran and Israel have actually alleviated, however Israeli. attacks on Gaza are anticipated to aggravate, and the risk of. conflicts infecting neighbouring countries is underpinning. oil rates, said Toshitaka Tazawa, an expert at Fujitomi. Securities Co Ltd.

. Other EIA information on Wednesday showed U.S. oil stocks. all of a sudden fell recently as exports jumped, while fuel. stockpiles decreased less than forecast.

Unrefined stocks plunged by 6.4 million barrels to 453.6 million. barrels, the EIA stated, compared to expectations in a . survey for an 825,000-barrel rise.

(source: Reuters)