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☆ Take Five: Doves versus hawks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Key UK jobs data and a G20 summit, marked by the absence of China's Xi Jinping, are also in focus. The doves urge caution; the most hawkish hawks say a pause is not a done deal, but haven't explicitly called for a hike either. Wednesday's August U.S. inflation data, followed by producer price and retail sales numbers a day later, are the next test. Next up are consumer and factory price data this weekend, with industrial output and retail sales out on the 15th. The unemployment rate has been edging above last year's 48-year low, indicating some softening in the jobs market, while basic earnings are rising at record pace.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, China's Xi, Ira Iosebashvili, Kevin Buckland, Li Gu, Amanda Cooper, Ahmad Ghaddar, haven't, Goldman Sachs, Xi Jinping, He's, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey, BoE, RUSH Brent, Dhara, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Financial, of, REUTERS, European Central Bank, United States, Key, Yoruk Bahceli, ECB, Reuters, Huawei, SMIC, West, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: of Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Yoruk, Amsterdam, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, London, China, United States, Washington, Beijing, India, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Libya

FILE PHOTO: An Aramco employee walks near an oil tank at Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia May 21, 2018. Riyadh says it aims to stabilise the oil market by extending a voluntary oil output cut of 1 million barrels per day until the end of 2023. Declining oil production and revenue this year could see Saudi Arabia's economy shrink for the first time since 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, although a hefty dividend from state oil producer Saudi Aramco (2222.SE) should provide a cushion for public finances. Last year the Saudi economy grew 8.7% and generated a fiscal surplus of 2.5% of GDP, its first surplus in nine years as oil soared to highs near $124. "Certainly, we see no signs that the Public Investment Fund's acquisition streak is cooling," RBC Capital Markets said in a note.

Persons: Ahmed Jadallah, Justin Alexander, Monica Malik, Alexander, James Swanston, PIF, Neil Quilliam, Quilliam, Rachna Uppal, Yousef Saba, Ahmad Ghaddar, Susan Fenton Organizations: REUTERS, Saudi Aramco, OPEC's, Khalij Economics, Abu, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, PMI, GlobalSource Partners, Capital Economics, International Monetary Fund, IMF, Public Investment Fund, Saudi, Public Investment, RBC Capital Markets, Reuters, Chatham House, Aramco, Riyadh bourse, Thomson Locations: Aramco, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, DUBAI, Riyadh, Ukraine, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Aramco, London, PIF

☆ Brent falls below $90/bbl, pausing rally, on weaker demand outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Erwin Seba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude futures settled 68 cents, or 0.8%, lower at $89.92 a barrel, after trading between $89.46 and $90.89. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) futures finished down 67 cents, or 0.8%, at $86.67 a barrel, after trading between $86.39 and $87.74. Thursday's fall came after nine straight sessions of gains in WTI and seven straight gains in Brent. But crude imports surged 30.9%. "The wind has been taken out of the bulls' sail overnight by rising Chinese product exports last month, albeit crude oil imports rose," PVM Oil analyst Tamas Varga said.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Thursday's, Prices, Dennis Kissler, John Kilduff, Tamas Varga, Leon Li, Erwin Seba, Arathy Somasekhar, Ahmad Ghaddar, Trixie Yap, Marguerita Choy, Frances Kerry, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, HOUSTON, Brent, . West Texas, U.S, BOK, Again, Markets, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, Iran, Venezuela, WTI, Brent, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Saudi, U.S, Shanghai, Houston, London, Singapore

☆ Oil slips on weak China outlook despite US stock drawdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Erwin Seba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oil pump jacks are seen at the Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas deposit in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina, January 21, 2019. Prices had spiked earlier in the week after Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's top two oil exporters, extended voluntary supply cuts to the year-end. These were on top of the April cuts agreed by several OPEC+ producers running to the end of 2024. But crude imports surged 30.9%. "The wind has been taken out of the bulls' sail overnight by rising Chinese product exports last month albeit crude oil imports rose," PVM Oil analyst Tamas Varga said.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, we've, Jim Ritterbusch, Tamas Varga, Leon Li, Ahmad Ghaddar, Trixie Yap, Marguerita Choy, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Energy, Ritterbusch, Markets, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, Iran, Venezuela, HOUSTON, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Saudi, Shanghai, London, Singapore

☆ Oil falls as concerns about China outweigh extended cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Ahmad Ghaddar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oil pump jacks are seen at the Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas deposit in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina, January 21, 2019. Both benchmarks had spiked earlier in the week after Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's top two oil exporters, extended voluntary supply cuts to the year-end. But crude imports surged 30.9%. "The wind has been taken out of the bulls' sail overnight by rising Chinese product exports last month albeit crude oil imports rose," PVM Oil analyst Tamas Varga said. Concerns about rising oil output from Iran and Venezuela, which could balance out a portion on cuts from Saudi and Russia, kept a lid on the market as well.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Brent, Tamas Varga, Leon Li, Trixie Yap, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, West Texas, Markets, American Petroleum Institute, U.S . Energy, Administration, Thomson Locations: Vaca, Patagonian, Neuquen, Argentina, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Saudi, Shanghai, Singapore

☆ U.S. crude futures climb over $2 late in session
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Erwin Seba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for October settled at $83.63 a barrel, up $2, or 2.45%. Brent crude futures for October, expiring on Thursday, finished up $1, 1.16%, at $86.86 a barrel. "The crude market is reacting to OPEC production cuts being extended," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. On Thursday, six-month U.S. crude oil futures traded as low as $3.83 below crude for front month delivery , the steepest discount since Nov. 17, signalling tight supplies and encouraging inventory draws. Analysts expect Saudi Arabia to extend a voluntary oil production cut of 1 million bpd into October, adding to cuts put in place by OPEC+.

Persons: Lucy Nicholson, Andrew Lipow, Brent, Ole Hansen, Eric Rosengren, Ahmad Ghaddar, Jeslyn Lerh, David Goodman, Nick Macfie, Paul Simao, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, bbl, Fed, Organization Petroleum Exporting, . West Texas, Brent, Lipow Oil Associates, U.S . Energy, Administration, OPEC, Saxo Bank, Commerce Department, Reserve, Boston Fed, National Bureau of Statistics, Thomson Locations: Bakersfield , California, Saudi Arabia, China, HOUSTON, U.S, Singapore

Brent crude rose 15 cents, or 0.2%, to $83.36 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $79.05 a barrel. Prices traded lower for the majority of the session, before pushing higher in the last half hour of trading. Investor caution on the eve of his remarks lifted the safe-haven dollar, which makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, denting demand. Euro zone business activity also declined more than expected and Britain's economy looked set to shrink in the current quarter. On the supply side, Iran's crude oil output will reach 3.4 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of September, the country's oil minister was quoted as saying by state media, even though U.S. sanctions remain in place.

Persons: Brent, Giovanni Staunovo, Jackson, Jerome Powell, Craig Erlam, Erlam, Shariq Khan, Ahmad Ghaddar, Mohi Narayan, Kim Coghill, David Evans, David Gregorio, Deepa Babington Organizations: cnsphoto, REUTERS, bbl, U.S, Fed, West Texas, UBS, U.S . Federal, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, BENGALURU, Europe, New York, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, U.S ., Japan, Venezuela, American

Brent crude fell 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $83.05 a barrel by 11:41 a.m. EDT (1541 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 12 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.77 a barrel. "Disappointing data and nerves that the Federal Reserve could reinforce a hawkish stance are weighing on oil," said Fiona Cincotta, analyst at City Index. On the supply side, Iran's crude oil output will reach 3.4 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of September, the country's oil minister was quoted as saying by state media, even though U.S. sanctions remain in place. U.S. crude inventories (USOILC=ECI) fell by 6.1 million barrels in the week to Aug. 18 to 433.5 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 2.8 million-barrel drop.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Brent, Fiona Cincotta, Jackson, Powell, Shariq Khan, Ahmad Ghaddar, Mohi Narayan, Kim Coghill, David Evans, David Gregorio Our Organizations: cnsphoto, REUTERS, Fed, U.S . Federal, . West Texas, Federal, Wednesday Japan, Federal Reserve, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, BENGALURU, U.S, American, Saudi Arabia

Brent crude futures rose 41 cents, or 0.5%, to settle $86.81 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 37 cents, or 0.5%, to settle at $83.19. The IEA estimated that global oil demand hit a record 103 million barrels per day in June and could scale another peak this month. Meanwhile, output cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia set the stage for a sharp decline in inventories over the rest of 2023, which IEA said could drive oil prices even higher. On Thursday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said it expects global oil demand to rise by 2.44 million bpd this year, unchanged from its previous forecast. The steady oil rig count indicates U.S. producers are maintaining discipline about drilling and exploration, said Eric Freedman, Chief Investment Officer at U.S. Bank Asset Management.

Persons: Dado, Brent, Baker Hughes, Craig Erlam, WTI, Eric Freedman, Shariq Khan, Ahmad Ghaddar, Andrew Hayley, Elaine Hardcastle, Marguerita Choy, Cynthia Osterman, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, International Energy Agency, Brent, U.S, West Texas, IEA, Organization of, Petroleum, Federal Reserve, Bank Asset Management, Thomson Locations: Baker Hughes BENGALURU, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, U.S, China, June's

☆ Oil prices firm on upbeat demand growth forecasts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Ahmad Ghaddar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A 3D-printed oil pump jack is seen in front of displayed OPEC logo in this illustration picture, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File PhotoSummary IEA says tighter inventories could push prices higherOPEC flags healthy oil market fundamentals in second halfU.S. consumer prices rise moderately in JulyLONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Oil prices gained ground on Friday amid optimistic demand forecasts from the OPEC producer group and the International Energy Agency (IEA). The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Thursday said it expects global oil demand to rise by 2.25 million bpd in 2024, compared with growth of 2.44 million bpd this year. In 2024 "solid" economic growth amid continued improvements in China is expected to boost oil consumption, it added. Data this week also showed China's consumer prices fell into deflation and factory gate prices extended declines in July, raising concerns about fuel demand in the world's second-largest economy.

Persons: Dado, Brent, Tamas Varga, Ahmad Ghaddar, Andrew Hayley, David Goodman, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, International Energy Agency, West Texas, of, Petroleum, Thursday's U.S, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: OPEC, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, June's, Beijing

Recovering profit margins may prompt complex refiners to maximise yields of transport fuels, causing excess naphtha output as a byproduct in a tepid petrochemical market and further depressing feedstock margins. Mandell expects margins to continue to perform well throughout the year heading into higher-demand crop planting season and into winter in the United States. "The healthy margins reflect the bull market for diesel combined with still strong gasoline cracks even if gasoline did weaken sharply on week. U.S. oil companies said during recent second quarter earnings presentations that strong global demand for fuels and low product inventories are driving robust profits. "Global capacity additions continue to progress slower than anticipated, and we believe that global demand growth will remain strong," Hennigan added.

Persons: Brian M, Mandell, Eugene Lindell, bullish HSFO, FGE's Lindell, Lindell, ENEOS, Phillips, Michael J, Hennigan, Mohi Narayan, Laura Sanicola, Ahmad Ghaddar, Jeslyn Lerh, Tony Munroe, Muralikumar Organizations: NEW, Phillips, Saudi, Reuters, Petronas, Hyundai, India's Reliance Industries, Oil, Marathon Petroleum, Marathon, Thomson Locations: NEW DELHI, WASHINGTON, Latin America, Asia, United States, Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, U.S, New Delhi, Washington, London

☆ OPEC+ ministers keep oil output policy unchanged - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The OPEC logo pictured ahead of an informal meeting between members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Algiers, Algeria, September 28, 2016. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina//File PhotoLONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - A panel meeting of the top ministers of OPEC+ has kept oil output policy unchanged on Friday, two OPEC+ sources said. The panel, called the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, includes ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies led by Russia, known as OPEC+. "Nothing new," one of the sources said. Reporting by Maha El Dahan, Ahmad Ghaddar, Olesya Astakhova and Alex Lawler, editing by Tomasz JanowskiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ramzi Boudina, Maha El Dahan, Ahmad Ghaddar, Olesya Astakhova, Alex Lawler, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Organization of, Petroleum, REUTERS, OPEC, Thomson Locations: Algiers, Algeria, Russia, OPEC

REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File PhotoCompanies Kyndryl Holdings Inc FollowDUBAI/LONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - An OPEC+ ministerial panel which met on Friday made no changes to the group's current oil output policy after a Saudi decision to extend its voluntary production cut into September helped oil prices rally further. Oil prices rose more than 14% in July compared with June, the biggest monthly percentage increase since January last year, as tighter supply and rising demand outweighed concern that interest rate hikes and stubborn inflation could hit economic growth. "The committee will continue to closely assess market conditions," an OPEC statement issued after the online meeting said, adding that the panel urged members to achieve full compliance with output cut pledges. Oil prices on Friday traded at nearly $86 a barrel, close to their highest since mid-April. Russia will also cut oil exports by 300,000 bpd in September, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said shortly after the Saudi announcement.

Persons: Alexander Manzyuk, Alexander Novak, Ahmad Ghaddar, Alex Lawler, Maha El, Lamine Chikli, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: REUTERS, Kyndryl Holdings, DUBAI, Organization of, Petroleum, Saudi, Reuters, OPEC, Thomson Locations: Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, LONDON, OPEC, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, London, Maha El Dahan, Dubai, Olesya, Moscow, Algiers

REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File PhotoCompanies Kyndryl Holdings Inc FollowLONDON/DUBAI, Aug 4 (Reuters) - An OPEC+ ministerial panel which meets on Friday is unlikely to tweak the group's current oil output policy, five OPEC+ sources told Reuters, after a Saudi decision to extend its voluntary cut into September helped oil prices rally further. The panel, called the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, can call for a full meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies led by Russia, known as OPEC+, if warranted. Oil prices rose more than 14% in July compared with June, the biggest monthly percentage increase since January last year, as tighter supply and rising demand outweighed concern that interest rate hikes and stubborn inflation could hit economic growth. Oil prices on Friday traded at nearly $86 a barrel, close to their highest since mid-April. Russia will also cut oil exports by 300,000 bpd in September, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said shortly after the Saudi announcement.

Persons: Alexander Manzyuk, Alexander Novak, Ahmad Ghaddar, Alex Lawler, Maha El, Lamine Chikli, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: REUTERS, Kyndryl Holdings, Organization of, Petroleum, Saudi, Reuters, OPEC, Thomson Locations: Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, DUBAI, OPEC, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, London, Maha El Dahan, Dubai, Olesya, Moscow, Algiers

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, July 31 (Reuters) - Oil inventories are beginning to fall in some regions as demand outpaces supply constrained by deep production cuts from OPEC leader Saudi Arabia, providing support for prices which are expected to rise in coming months. JP Morgan analysts said this month that oil inventories - which include crude and fuel products - now play a bigger role in determining oil prices than the U.S. dollar because Western sanctions on Russia have accelerated oil trading in other currencies. Stock declines have been geographically uneven so far, with inventory falls in the United States and Europe offset by increases in China and Japan. Weekly stocks of diesel, jet fuel and fuel oil in the five regions are also currently below their five-year averages. Crude inventories in Japan have added 25 million barrels, or 8%, since April to stand at their highest in nearly two years, according to Kayrros.

Persons: Morgan, Christopher Haines, Cushing, Kayrros, Antoine Halff, Macquarie, Vikas Dwivedi, JP Morgan, Dwivedi, we've, Muyu Xu, Stephanie Kelly, Simon Webb, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: U.S, Energy, International Energy Agency, Organization of, Petroleum, OECD, OPEC, UBS, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Reuters Graphics Reuters, FGE Energy, United Arab, Reuters Graphics, Macquarie, Thomson Locations: HOUSTON, SINGAPORE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, United States, Europe, China, Japan, Saudi, Oklahoma, Singapore, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Mideast, Ukraine, Portugal, Reuters Graphics China, Iran, Venezuela, North Africa, Asia, New York

Oil demand growth is an indication of likely oil market strength and forms part of the backdrop for policy decisions by OPEC and its allies, known as OPEC+. OPEC is expected to publish its first demand forecast for 2023 in its monthly report on July 13. Top officials from OPEC countries at a conference this week such as Amin Nasser, chief executive of state-owned oil producer Saudi Aramco, expressed optimism over the oil demand outlook despite economic headwinds weighing on prices. China alone between 2019 and 2023, 3 million bpd growth, India 1 million bpd growth, so there is a pickup in demand," he said. OPEC originally forecast demand growth in 2023 of 2.7 million bpd in its first forecast published in July 2022, later revising it down to 2.35 million bpd.

Persons: Amin Nasser, Ahmad Ghaddar, David Evans Organizations: Saudi Arabian Oil, OPEC, International Energy Agency, IEA, Saudi Aramco, Thomson Locations: VIENNA, OPEC, Saudi, Asia, China, India

Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's biggest oil exporters, deepened oil supply cuts on Monday in an effort to send prices higher. OPEC says it does not have a price target and is seeking to have a balanced oil market to meet the interests of both consumers and producers. But Riyadh has repeatedly rebuffed U.S. calls and Prince Abdulaziz said on Wednesday that new joint oil output cuts agreed by Russia and Saudi Arabia this week have again proven sceptics wrong. ENOUGH FOR NOWThe International Energy Agency has said it expects the oil market to tighten in the second half of 2023, partly because of OPEC+ cuts. Additional oil cuts should be enough to help balance the oil market, United Arab Emirates' energy minister Suhail Al Mazrouei told reporters on Wednesday.

Persons: Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Prince Abdulaziz, Morgan Stanley, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Mazrouei, Dmitry Zhdannikov, Louise Heavens, Jason Neely, Jan Harvey Organizations: Saudi, Saudi Energy, Wednesday, of, Petroleum, Brent, OPEC, Reuters, Bloomberg, Wall Street, International Energy Agency, United, Thomson Locations: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Russia VIENNA, Saudi, OPEC, United States, Ukraine, Riyadh, United Arab Emirates, UAE

☆ Explainer: Why are OPEC+ supply cuts failing to boost oil prices?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Members Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's biggest oil exporters, deepened oil supply cuts on Monday in an effort to send prices higher. Here are the main reasons why OPEC+ output cuts are failing to significantly lift oil prices:CONCERNS ABOUT WEAK DEMANDData from China has sparked fears that the economic recovery from coronavirus lockdowns in the world's second-largest oil consumer is losing steam. The Energy Information Administration projects U.S. crude oil production will climb by 720,000 bpd to 12.61 million bpd this year, above a prior forecast increase of 640,000 bpd. This compares with around 10 million bpd as recently as 2018. LESS BULLISHIn 2020, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman warned traders against betting heavily in the oil market, saying those who gamble on the oil price would be "ouching like hell".

Persons: Brent, Carsten Fritsch, Tamas Varga, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, pare, Ole Hansen, Maha El Dahan, Ahmad Ghaddar, Mark Potter Organizations: of, Petroleum, Eurasia Group, U.S . Federal Reserve, International Energy Agency, OPEC, Energy Information Administration, Saudi Energy, Saxo Bank, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, LONDON, OPEC, Russia, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, U.S, Eurasia, WTI

☆ Oil ticks down on interest rate hike fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Arathy Somasekhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Summary Rate hike expectations boost fears of slow economic growthWeak economic data in China weighs on sentimentHOUSTON, June 29 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged lower on Thursday, as fears that rising interest rates could dent global economic growth and crude demand offset a bigger-than-expected fall in U.S. inventories. Brent crude futures fell 38 cents, or 0.5%, to $73.66 a barrel by 1127 a.m. Investors were concerned about rising interest rates and economic growth after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that he expects the moderate pace of interest rate decisions to continue in the coming months. "Crude traders remain torn between rising interest rates with fears of a global recession against elevated travel demand and shrinking crude supplies," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial. "The lack of prospects for fuel demand growth has limited the gain in oil prices, even with supply curbs by oil producers," said Tetsu Emori, CEO of Emori Fund Management Inc.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Dennis Kissler, Christine Lagarde, Tetsu Emori, Ahmad Ghaddar, Yuka Obayashi, Jason Neely, David Evans, Barbara Lewis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Investors, Federal Reserve, BOK Financial, European Central Bank, Emori Fund Management Inc, Thomson Locations: China, HOUSTON, European, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, London

☆ Oil steadies after spiking on U.S. inventory fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Ahmad Ghaddar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Brent crude futures was up 10 cents, or 0.1%, to $74.13 a barrel by 1032 GMT. Nonetheless, the impact that stocks have on oil prices was on display yesterday on a smaller scale," PVM Oil analyst Tamas Varga said. Concerns about the impact that rising interest rates will have on economic growth came back to the fore, however, halting the rally. Adding to pressure, annual profits at industrial firms in China, the world's second-biggest oil consumer, extended a double-digit decline in the first five months as softening demand squeezed margins. "The lack of prospects for fuel demand growth has limited the gain in oil prices, even with supply curbs by oil producers," said Tetsu Emori, CEO of Emori Fund Management Inc.

Persons: Tamas Varga, Jerome Powell, Christine Lagarde, Tetsu Emori, Yuka Obayashi, Jason Neely Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, U.S . Energy Information Administration, . Federal, European Central Bank, Emori Fund Management Inc, Thomson Locations: China, Saudi Arabia, OPEC

Companies NK Rosneft' PAO FollowJune 19 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Monday as questions over China's economy outweighed OPEC+ output cuts and the seventh straight drop in the number of oil and gas rigs operating in the United States. "(China's) economy is navigating through powerful headwinds," said PVM oil analyst Tamas Varga. In recent weeks global road traffic has been declining, said Jorge Leon, Rystad Energy's senior vice president, which may also point to slowing growth and drag on oil prices. Iran's crude exports and oil output have hit record highs in 2023 despite U.S. sanctions, according to consultants, shipping data and a source close to the matter, adding to global supply when other producers are limiting output. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia this month agreed on a new oil output deal and the group's biggest producer, Saudi Arabia, also pledged to make a deep cut to its output in July.

Persons: Brent, Tamas Varga, Jorge Leon, Rystad Energy's, Leon, Nia Williams, Ahmad Ghaddar, Katya Golubkova, Emily Chow, David Goodman, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: NK Rosneft, West Texas, of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, China, Europe, Russia, Saudi Arabia, British Columbia, London, Tokyo, Singapore

☆ Oil falls on China growth uncertainties
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Ahmad Ghaddar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies NK Rosneft' PAO FollowLONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Monday as questions over China's economy outweighed OPEC+ output cuts and the seventh straight drop in the number of oil and gas rigs operating in the United States. Brent crude fell 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $76.44 a barrel by 0944 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude lost 31 cents, or 0.4%, to $71.47. "(China's) economy is navigating through powerful headwinds," said PVM oil analyst Tamas Varga. The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by eight to 687 in the week to June 16 for the lowest total since April 2022. , , . Iran's crude exports and oil output have hit record highs in 2023 despite U.S. sanctions, according to consultants, shipping data and a source close to the matter, adding to global supply when other producers are limiting output.

Persons: Brent, Tamas Varga, Ahmad Ghaddar, Katya Golubkova, Emily Chow, David Goodman Organizations: NK Rosneft, West Texas, Reuters, of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: United States, China, U.S, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tokyo, Singapore

☆ Oil drops 1.5% as Fed projects more rate hikes this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Arathy Somasekhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchangedFed projects more 2023 rate risesU.S. crude stocks rise unexpectedly - EIAIEA upgrades 2023 oil demand growth to 2.4 mln bpdHOUSTON, June 14(Reuters) - Oil prices fell 1.5% on Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve projected more interest rate hikes this year, worrying markets about demand just hours after government data showed an unexpected, large build in U.S. crude oil stocks. "Markets fear that a higher interest rate environment is going to lower oil demand. U.S. crude oil stocks rose by about 8 million barrels in the week ended June 9, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. The IEA, meanwhile, increased its oil demand growth forecast for this year by 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 2.4 million bpd, lifting the projected total to 102.3 million bpd. The IEA's 2023 oil demand growth figure is slightly above that of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Persons: Phil Flynn, Brent, Arathy Somasekhar, Ahmad Ghaddar, Andrew Hayley, Elaine Hardcastle, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Reserve, HOUSTON, U.S . Federal Reserve, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Federal Reserve, Price, Wall, Energy Information Administration, Analysts, Organization of, Petroleum, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: U.S, Houston, London, Beijing

He announced the output cut after the meeting, calling it a "Saudi lollipop". Saudi Arabia said it would cut output in July by 10% or 1 million barrels per day (bpd) to 9 million bpd and may extend cuts further if needed. As well as the Saudi cut, OPEC+ lowered its collective production target for 2024 and the nine participating countries extended the April voluntary cuts to the end of 2024. Nonetheless, all those producers stand to benefit if they can keep output the same or pump a bit more, especially if the Saudi cut boosts prices. "Saudi cuts are playing second fiddle to worries about the state of the global economy," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM, although he added the Saudi cut could widen a supply deficit in July.

Persons: Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Prince Abdulaziz, Abu, Al Arabiya, Brent, Stephen Brennock, Rowena Edwards, Maha El, Simon Webb, David Evans Organizations: Saudi, Saudi Energy, Organization of, Petroleum, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Energy Ministry, OPEC's, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Vienna, OPEC, Russia, Abu Dhabi, OPEC's Vienna, UAE, Nigeria, Angola, Friday's

☆ Oil prices rise as Saudi output cuts outweigh weak demand signals
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Arathy Somasekhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. crude stocks fell by about 450,000, according to data from the Energy Information Administration, compared with estimates for a 1 million build. Diesel inventories rose by 5.1 million barrels, while markets had estimated a build of 1.33 million. Gasoline inventories also rose more-than-expected at 2.8 million barrels, compared with estimates for a build of 880,000 barrels. Wednesday's data also showed that crude oil imports into China, the world's largest oil importer, rose to their third-highest monthly level in May as refiners built up inventories. A weaker greenback helps demand as oil becomes cheaper for foreign buyers.

Persons: Dennis Kissler, refiners, Morgan, Arathy Somasekhar, Ahmad Ghaddar, Yuka Obayashi, Muyu Xu, David Goodman, Mark Potter, Bernadette Baum, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, Saudi, OPEC, BOK Financial, Energy Information Administration, Federal, Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Development, Thomson Locations: HOUSTON, Saudi, China, Houston, London

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