Oil prices have backed up after reports that OPEC+ may consider output increases at the December 4 meeting was denied. More precisely, Saudi denied oil output hike discussion, and clarified that OPEC+ was sticking with oil output cuts and could take further measures to balance the market amid falling prices.
That earlier rumor surprised the market, especially after the recent decision to trim supply. And it added to the overnight drop in prices amid rising concerns that China would not be opening up its economy due to the pick up in covid cases and the first deaths since the summer. WTI oil fell to $75.08, a new low for the year, before climbing to $79.86. Brent surged back to $87.48 after diving to $82.32.
Oil markets continue to keep a close eye on the demand outlook and monetary policy expectations. Fed officials have pushed back against overly optimistic market expectations for the policy outlook, and concern that China’s Covid restrictions will be tightened once again have put pressure on oil prices over the past week. Gas prices meanwhile eye the EU’s renewed attempt to agree on a price cap when energy ministers meet this week.
Oil prices corrected sharply lower last week and have remained under pressure even today at 80.50 area, as the demand outlook was dented by fading hope that China would ease virus restrictions and add further stimulus. China reported the first covid-related deaths in many months over the weekend, which fueled fear of a renewed tightening of Covid curbs. At the same time, the PBOC last week warned of inflation risks and seemed to flag the limits to monetary policy support. WTI extended losses to below USD 80 per barrel, the lowest in over seven weeks.
The highly uncertain supply output and the EU’s ban of Russian crude flows, which kicks in next month, should keep a floor under oil prices mid-term. However, as Europe rushed to fill up on Russian diesel ahead of the plan, and European refiners seem to be oversupplied with crude for now, the prospect of future shortages is enough to counterbalance demand concerns at the moment.
Gold prices corrected lower last week and have remained under pressure so far this week, as risk aversion picked up and the USD rather than bullion benefited from haven flows. The precious metal is currently trading at $1,745.57 as Fed officials continued to push back against overly optimistic market view on the Fed’s policy outlook. Gold had made quite a come-back from lows around the USD 1,630 mark earlier in the month, but remains at the mercy of policy outlooks and overall sentiment.
Agricultural commodity prices mostly corrected lower, and wheat futures in particular dropped to the lowest in nearly three months, as the supply
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Andria Pichidi
Market Analyst
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