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Oil prices relieve as markets refocus as needed concerns

Oil rates edged lower on Tuesday, breaking a fiveday streak of gains, as markets refocused on issues about demand after OPEC on Monday cut its forecast for demand growth in 2024 due to softer expectations in China.

Global benchmark Brent unrefined futures dipped 41 cents, or 0.5%, lower to $81.89 a barrel at 0005 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell to $79.63 a barrel, down 43 cents, or 0.5%.

Brent had gotten more than 3% on Monday, while U.S. crude futures had increased more than 4%.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' ( OPEC) international demand projection reduction for 2024 highlighted the issue faced by the broader OPEC+ group in raising production from October.

The cut to OPEC's 2024 projection was the first since it was made in July 2023, and follows mounting indications that demand in China has lagged expectations due to plunging diesel consumption and as a crisis in the home sector hampers the world's. second-largest economy.

In the meantime, the Middle East dispute has intensified,. with the U.S. preparing for what might be substantial attacks by. Iran or its proxies in the area as quickly as today, White. House national security representative John Kirby said on Monday.

Any attack could tighten up access to global unrefined materials and. boost costs. An assault might also lead the United States to. location embargoes on Iranian unrefined exports, potentially impacting. 1.5 million barrels daily of supply, analysts said.

Markets are likewise getting ready for Wednesday's U.S. consumer. price index report that will offer an essential continue reading inflation,. with financiers now fretted that an extremely depressed CPI number. will fan worries of a slump.

Cash markets have even bets on a 25- or 50-basis-point cut. in U.S. rate of interest in September, expecting a total easing of. 100 bps by the end 2024, CME's FedWatch Tool revealed.

Rate cuts tend to raise economic activity, which increases. using energy sources such as oil.

The U.S. dollar edged marginally higher on Tuesday,. after two days of losses. A more powerful greenback assists demand as. oil ends up being more costly for foreign buyers.

(source: Reuters)