Audio By Carbonatix
Oil prices rose on Thursday, recouping some of the losses from the previous session that followed a surprise increase in U.S. crude inventories, as the market mood switched to relief after OPEC forecast a supply deficit next year.
Brent futures LCOc1 rose 28 cents, or 0.4% to $64.00 a barrel, after skidding 1% on Wednesday on the U.S. stocks build-up.
West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 was up 12 cents, or 0.2%, at $58.88 a barrel, following a 0.8% drop the previous session.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Wednesday said it now expected a small deficit in the oil market in the next year, suggesting the market is tighter than previously thought - even before the latest pact with other producers to curb supply takes effect.
The revised forecast by OPEC marks a further retreat from a prediction of a glut in 2020 as U.S. production growth begins to slow.
Still, U.S. inventories are on the rise. Crude stockpiles last week rose unexpectedly, gaining more than 800,000 barrels, compared with a Reuters poll that forecast a 2.8 million barrel decline.
Inventories of petroleum products also increased with gasoline stocks surging by more than 5 million barrels and distillates gaining a bit over 4 million barrels - with both more than double expectations.
“What made the release even more bearish was the fact that we also saw large stock builds for gasoline and distillate fuel oil,” ING Economics said in a note.
Beyond the balance between inventories and supply, investors are also awaiting news on negotiations between Washington and Beijing to get an agreement to end a long-running trade war before another round of U.S. sanctions kicks in.
The lingering battle between the world’s two biggest economies has hit global growth, in the process denting demand for crude and oil products.
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to discuss tariffs on Chinese goods set to be imposed on Dec. 15 with top trade advisers as markets brace for fallout in China’s reaction.
“In the near-term, U.S.-China trade remains the primary catalyst and the 500-pound gorilla in the room,” said Stephen Innes, chief Asia market strategist at AxiTrader.
Latest Stories
-
Twice in a year, Chairman Wontumi’s lead lawyer has walked away
40 minutes -
Telecel launches Ashanti Codes to equip youth with digital and AI skills
1 hour -
Abronye DC granted permission to travel to UK for master’s programme
1 hour -
Government has stabilised economy, jobs will follow — Ricketts-Hagan
1 hour -
World Cup ticket allocations for Ghanaian diaspora not yet received -UN Mission
2 hours -
PURC, ECG and GRIDCo align plans to ensure stable power supply during 2026 FIFA World Cup
2 hours -
Ghana launches National Shea Commodity Platform to commercialise shea production
3 hours -
Bawumia holds talks with British High Commissioner in Accra
3 hours -
AFF study documents 115 edible forest species and indigenous knowledge in biodiversity hotspot
3 hours -
Fortune names Yellow Card among top global crypto innovators
3 hours -
MPs partner with Afarinick to boost Ghana’s cocoa production capacity
3 hours -
Where are the jobs?- Sammy Awuku questions government
3 hours -
Ghana needs effective solutions to rising unemployment, not slogans – Oppong Nkrumah
3 hours -
Oppong Nkrumah calls for overhaul of Ghana’s youth employment strategy
3 hours -
Minnesota attacker pleads guilty in killing of lawmaker and husband, avoids death penalty
3 hours