DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

March 21 (Reuters) - Oil drifted lower on Tuesday as more than a week of banking turmoil kept weighing on market confidence. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down 74 cents, or 1.1%, to $66.90 a barrel. "Oil prices now mainly depend on influences on investor confidence at the macro-level," said analysts from Haitong Futures. "If the banking crisis does not spread further, market sentiment may stabilise and oil prices will have a chance to recover." A preliminary Reuters survey showed that crude oil and product inventories in the U.S were estimated to have fallen last week.

☆ Oil prices stabilize as banking deal eases some worries about crude appetite
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Laila Kearney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 21 (Reuters) - Oil prices stabilised on Tuesday after falling early in the previous session on investor worries that recent banking-sector problems would weigh on the global economy and limit demand for crude. Brent crude futures for May settlement gained 5 cents and traded at $73.84 per barrel by 0049 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 9 cents to $67.73 a barrel. In the previous session, both Brent and WTI fell about $3 a barrel before settling higher. The group agreed in October to cut oil production targets by 2 million barrels per day until the end of 2023.

Oil prices rebounded as Wall Street posted gains. Earlier, Brent and WTI fell about $3 a barrel to the lowest since December 2021, with WTI sinking below $65 a barrel at one point. After the deal was announced, the U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and other major central banks pledged to enhance market liquidity and support other banks. "There's a lot of fear-based movement (in oil prices)," Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn said. Some executives are calling on the central bank to pause its monetary policy tightening but be ready to resume raising rates later.

The U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude contract for April was down 28 cents at $66.46 before its expiry on Tuesday. "There's a lot of fear-based movement (in oil prices)," Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn said. "We're not moving at all on supply and demand fundamentals, we're just moving on the banking concerns." On Monday, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones gained, helping lift oil prices off the day's lows. The group agreed in October to cut oil production targets by 2 million barrels per day until the end of 2023.

☆ Oil falls more than $2 on banking concerns, likely Fed rate hike
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude futures for May settlement fell $2.32, or 3.2%, to $70.65 a barrel at 0710 GMT. Last week, Brent fell nearly 12%, its biggest weekly fall since December. A slowdown in interest rate hikes could depress the greenback, making dollar-denominated commodities like crude oil more affordable for holders of other currencies. "Volatility is likely to linger this week, with broader financial market concerns likely to remain at the forefront. Separately, Goldman Sachs cut its forecasts for Brent crude after prices plunged on banking and recession fears.

The slide in oil comes despite a historic deal which will see UBS, Switzerland's largest bank, buying the country's No. "The market focus is on current banking sector volatility and the potential for further rate hikes by the Fed," said Baden Moore, National Australia Bank's head of commodity research. A slowdown in interest rate hikes could depress the greenback, making dollar-denominated commodities like crude oil more affordable for holders of other currencies. "The U.S. Fed will be most important institution to watch this week," said Commonwealth Bank of Australia analyst Vivek Dhar in a note. Separately, Goldman Sachs cut its forecasts for Brent crude after prices plunged on banking and recession fears.

☆ Oil edges up on historic Swiss banks deal, central banks support
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Florence Tan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, March 20 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Monday after suffering their biggest weekly loss in months as UBS struck a deal to buy Credit Suisse and some of the world's largest central banks sought to reassure and stabilise global financial markets. Brent crude futures rose 35 cents, or 0.5%, to $73.32 a barrel by 0007 GMT after a near 12% loss last week, its biggest weekly fall since December. Switzerland's largest bank, UBS, announced late on Sunday it will buy the country's No. Following the announcement, the U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and other major central banks pledged to enhance market liquidity and support other banks. The Swiss bank deal and central banks’ measures to inject liquidity into the markets are restoring market confidence, leading to a relief rally in risk assets, including the crude markets, CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng said.

☆ Oil hits lowest since 2021 on banking fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Noah Browning | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Brent and WTI earlier hit lows last registered in December 2021, with WTI sinking below $65 a barrel. After the deal was announced, The U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and other major central banks pledged to enhance market liquidity and support other banks. "The market focus is on current banking sector volatility and the potential for further rate hikes by the Fed," said Baden Moore, National Australia Bank's head of commodity research. However, some executives are calling on the central bank to pause its monetary policy tightening for now but be ready to resume raising rates later. The group agreed in October to cut oil production targets by 2 million barrels per day until the end of 2023.

March 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices took a dive on Friday, reversing early gains of more than $1 a barrel and falling by more than $3, as banking sector fears set crude on course for its biggest weekly decline in months. Brent was on track for its biggest weekly fall since December at more than 10%, with WTI heading toward a loss of more than 11%, its biggest since last April. Pressure this week followed the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank and trouble at Credit Suisse and First Republic Bank. The drop in prices highlights "the continued fragile state of the market", said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. Analysts still expect constrained global supply to support prices in the foreseeable future.

Companies Signature Bank FollowSINGAPORE, March 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices firmed on Friday after a meeting between Saudi Arabia and Russia calmed markets amid strong China demand expectations, but were headed for their biggest weekly falls since December as a banking crisis rocked global financial and oil markets. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude went up by 21 cents to $68.53 a barrel, after closing 1.1% higher in the previous session. China's demand rebound will be positive for oil prices if upcoming data shows a good recovery of the country's economy, said analyst Tina Teng of CMC Markets. However, contagion risks among banks are still keeping investors on edge, curbing their appetite for assets such as commodities, as they fear a further rout could trigger a global recession and cut oil demand. These issues regarding inflation, the central bank's rate hikes, and confidence in financial systems cannot be settled quickly," Teng said.

☆ Oil steadies as investors take stock of banking crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Florence Tan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, March 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices were little changed on Friday after a meeting between Saudi Arabia and Russia calmed markets, but crude benchmarks were still headed for a second weekly fall after a banking crisis sparked a sell-off in global financial markets this week. Brent crude futures edged up 2 cents to $74.72 a barrel by 0133 GMT, having snapped three days of losses to settle 1.4% higher on Thursday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $68.33 a barrel, down 2 cents after closing 1.1% higher in the previous session. Contagion risks among banks are still keeping investors on edge, curbing their appetite for assets such as commodities as they fear a further rout could trigger a global recession and cut oil demand. "The sudden failure of SVB and Signature Bank forced a rethink about the health of the broader economy and spooked markets," JPMorgan analysts said in a note.

Companies Signature Bank FollowSINGAPORE, March 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices rebounded by about 1% on Friday after a meeting between Saudi Arabia and Russia calmed markets amid strong China demand expectations, after a banking crisis sparked a sell-off in global financial and oil markets this week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 78 cents to $69.13 a barrel, after closing 1.1% higher in the previous session. China's demand rebound will be positive for oil prices if upcoming data shows a good recovery of the country's economy, said analyst Tina Teng of CMC Markets. However, contagion risks among banks are still keeping investors on edge, curbing their appetite for assets such as commodities, as they fear a further rout could trigger a global recession and cut oil demand. These issues regarding inflation, the central bank's rate hikes, and confidence in financial systems, cannot be settled quickly," Teng said.

March 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices settled lower Friday, reversing early gains of more than $1 a barrel as banking sector fears caused both benchmarks to reach their biggest weekly declines in months. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell $1.61, or 2.4%, at $66.74. Oil prices tracked equity markets lower, dogged by the banking sector crisis and worries about possible recession. Pressure stemmed from "the continued fragile state of the market", said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. Analysts still expect constrained global supply to support oil prices in the foreseeable future.

Companies Credit Suisse Group AG FollowMarch 16 - Oil prices clawed back some ground on Thursday after sliding to 15-month lows in the previous session as markets calmed somewhat after Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) was thrown a financial lifeline by Swiss regulators. As of 0427 GMT, Brent crude futures were up 58 cents or 0.8% to $74.27 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) rose 51 cents, also 0.8%, to $68.12 a barrel. OPEC's rosier outlook for China oil demand also supported oil prices, said Lim Tai An, analyst at Phillip Nova Pte. Higher interest rates can lead to depressed demand for oil as economic growth slows, but concerns about a widenening financial crisis for the banking sector could also weigh on oil demand.

Oil futures have fallen over 8% since last Friday as the collapse of SVB Financial (SIVB.O) and peer Signature Bank (SBNY.O) prompted concerns of a wider banking crisis. Investors in the oil market, including oil producers, have rushed to buy put options, used to either bet on or protect against downside movement. For U.S. crude futures options open interest, the ratio of puts to calls is the highest since August 2022. The discount of later-dated oil futures contracts to the front-month contract tightened on Wednesday, indicating that market participants were less confident in short-term demand. That short-term uncertainty should buoy put buying, Price Futures Group's Flynn said.

☆ Oil slumps $5/bbl to lowest in more than a year as banking fears mount
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Arathy Somasekhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Nobody wants to go home with a big position on anything today ... you have nowhere to hide really." Both crude benchmarks hit their lowest since December 2021 and have fallen for three straight days. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) was down $4.51, or 6.3%, at $66.84, breaking through technical levels of $70 and $68 and extending the sell off. Wednesday's monthly report from the International Energy Agency provided support by flagging an expected boost to oil demand from China, a day after OPEC increased its Chinese demand forecast for 2023. "We definitely have seen the oil market separate themselves from oil inventories and we’re more focused on a larger meltdown of the global economy," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.

☆ Oil slide resumes as banking fears offset China demand hopes
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Credit Suisse unease sparks global sell-offChinese economy shows signs of gradual recoveryChina reopening expected to boost oil demand -IEALONDON, March 15 (Reuters) - Oil extended losses on Wednesday with Brent crude hitting a three-month low as unease over Credit Suisse spooked world markets, offsetting hopes of a Chinese oil demand recovery. "Fears of contagion are clearly gaining traction," Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM told Reuters. "As a result, the dollar is stronger and equities are weakening - bad omens for oil." Wednesday's monthly report from the International Energy Agency provided support by flagging an expected boost to oil demand from China, a day after OPEC increased its Chinese demand forecast for 2023. Investors are now awaiting official U.S. oil inventory data later on Wednesday to see if it confirms the 1.2 million barrel rise in crude stocks reported on Tuesday by the American Petroleum Institute.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) gained 98 cents, or 1.4%, to $72.31 a barrel. "The OPEC upgrade in Chinese oil demand outlook also lent support, though investors were still concerned over a cascading financial crisis after the recent collapse of U.S. banks," he said, noting that whether WTI can stay above $70 a barrel is being closely watched. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC on Tuesday further raised its forecast for Chinese oil demand growth in 2023 due to the relaxation of the country's COVID-19 curbs, although it left total global demand steady, citing potential downside risks for world growth. China's demand recovery is bullish for oil prices, said Stefano Grasso, a senior portfolio manager at 8VantEdge in Singapore. U.S. crude oil inventories rose by about 1.2 million barrels in the week ended March 10, in line with a Reuters poll, while fuel stockpiles fell, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

TOKYO, March 15 (Reuters) - Oil prices rebounded more than 1% on Wednesday, recovering from the previous day's plunge, as a stronger OPEC outlook on China's demand helped offset bearish global investor sentiment in the wake of the recent U.S. bank failures. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC on Tuesday further raised its forecast for Chinese oil demand growth in 2023 due to the relaxation of the country's COVID-19 curbs, although it left the global demand total steady, citing potential downside risks for world growth. China's demand recovery is bullish for oil prices, said Stefano Grasso, a senior portfolio manager at 8VantEdge in Singapore. "The consensus is that the oil supply-demand balance will tighten in the second half, driven by China rebound, unless a severe global recession hits," he added. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil inventories rose by about 1.2 million barrels in the week ended March 10, in line with a Reuters poll, while fuel stockpiles fell, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

☆ Oil prices bounce back, helped by stronger OPEC outlook for China
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Yuka Obayashi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, March 15 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose in early Asia trade on Wednesday, recovering from the previous day's plunge, as a stronger OPEC outlook on China's demand helped offset bearish global investor sentiment in the wake of the recent U.S. bank failures. Brent crude futures climbed 62 cents, or 0.8%, to $78.07 a barrel by 0058 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) gained 70 cents, or 1.0%, to $72.03 a barrel. "The oil market has bounced back on its own after the recent sharp losses," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities Co Ltd, adding some investors had taken advantage of the slide to hunt for bargains. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil inventories rose by about 1.2 million barrels in the week ended March 10, while fuel stockpiles fell, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Oil prices dropped alongside a continued slide in equities markets (.MIWD00000PUS). A lower rate rise could mean the dollar weakening which in turn is a bullish signal for oil prices. A stronger-than-expected U.S. consumer inflation outcome could put further downward pressure on oil prices. Meanwhile, consumer inflation in China, the world's biggest oil importer, slowed to the lowest rate in a year in February. IEA/SOn the supply side, the American Petroleum Institute is expected to release industry data on U.S. oil inventories at 1630 ET/2030 GMT.

☆ Oil prices fall as SVB collapse rocks financial markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ETSINGAPORE, March 14 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell more than $1 on Tuesday, extending the previous day's slide, as the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank rattled equities markets and sparked fear about a fresh financial crisis. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) dropped 82 cents, or 1.1%, to $73.98 a barrel. A stronger-than-expected U.S. consumer inflation outcome would put further downward pressure on near term oil prices, National Australia Bank analysts said in a note. Beyond the Silicon Valley Bank shockwaves, oil prices were also under pressure due to signs of a weaker-than-expected economic recovery in China, despite the lifting of its strict COVID-19 restrictions, said Leon Li, an analyst at CMC Markets. In U.S. supply news, the American Petroleum Institute is expected to release industry data on U.S. oil inventories on Tuesday.

ETMarch 14 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell more than $1 on Tuesday, extending the previous day's slide, as the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank rattled equities markets and sparked fear about a fresh financial crisis. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) dropped 85 cents, or 1.1%, to $73.93 a barrel. On Monday, Brent fell to its lowest since early January, while WTI dropped to its lowest since December. Beyond the Silicon Valley Bank shockwaves, oil prices were also under pressure due to signs of a weaker-than-expected economic recovery in China, despite the lifting of its strict COVID-19 restrictions, said Leon Li, an analyst at CMC Markets. In U.S. supply news, the American Petroleum Institute is expected to release industry data on U.S. oil inventories on Tuesday.

SummarySummary Companies POLL-U.S. crude stockpiles seen up, products likely downComing up: API data on U.S. stockpiles at 4:30 p.m. ETMarch 14 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on Tuesday, extending the previous day's slide, as the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank startled equities markets and raised worries about a fresh financial crisis. A weaker dollar makes oil cheaper for holders of other currencies and typically supports oil prices. In U.S. supply news, the American Petroleum Institute is expected to release industry data on U.S. oil inventories on Tuesday. Six analysts polled by Reuters estimated on average that crude inventories rose by about 600,000 barrels in the week to March 10.

Such "supercore" inflation has decelerated from a post-pandemic peak of 7-8% in the first half of 2022 but is still running much faster than the central bank’s declared flexible average inflation target of a little over 2%. The Fed has already boosted overnight interest rates by 450 basis points over the last 12 months to 4.50-4.75%, causing the biggest inversion of the yield curve since the double-dip recession in 1981. Interest rate traders currently expect the central bank to raise its overnight rate one more time by 25 basis points to 4.75-5.00% when policymakers meet on March 21-22. Most scenarios are somewhat pessimistic, involving some combination of persistent inflation, rising interest rates, tightening credit conditions and/or slowing business activity. Most of these outcomes would be at least mildly negative for petroleum consumption, which explains why benchmark oil prices have fallen since SVB’s failure.

Search resuls for: "- Oil"

25 mentions found