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☆ Crude oil prices fall about 2% as rally on Middle East war risk takes a pause
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Crude oil futures fell about 2% on Tuesday, as the rally on geopolitical risk took a pause while the market waits for Israel to strike back against Iran. "Oil can keep ascending only for so long purely based on perceptions and not actual supply disruption," Tamas Varga, an analyst at oil broker PVM, said in a Tuesday note. Oil prices have surged about 13% through Monday's close since Iran fired around 180 ballistic missiles at Israel last week, raising fears that Israel might retaliate by hitting Iran's crude industry. ET:The market was also disappointed that Chinese officials did not announce any new stimulus plans at a press briefing Tuesday. In early September, oil prices hit their lowest level since December 2021.

Persons: Tamas Varga, Israel, Phil Flynn Organizations: Iran, Price Futures Locations: Israel, Iran, China

☆ U.S. crude oil rises a fifth day, tops $77 per barrel, as Pentagon sends more forces to Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. crude oil topped $77 per barrel on Monday, rising for the fifth day as the Pentagon dispatched more forces to the Middle East in anticipation of an Iranian attack on Israel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a carrier strike group, including F-35 warplanes, to accelerate its deployment to the region. Austin also ordered a guided-missile submarine to the Middle East. Here are Monday's energy prices:Israel has been preparing for strikes by Iran and the Hezbollah militia for nearly two weeks, after the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran. U.S. crude oil is trading higher even as OPEC lowered its global demand growth forecast by 135,000 barrels per day, citing softening consumption in China.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Austin, Phil Flynn Organizations: Pentagon, Israel . Defense, UBS, Price Futures Group, Bank of Japan Locations: Israel, Iran, Tehran, China

☆ Why orange juice is so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Andrea Miller | In Dreajmiller | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. orange production has plummeted as the industry faces volatile threats from extreme weather events, an incurable disease and economic pressures. At the same time, orange juice futures have hit record highs. Florida has seen a dramatic orange production decline in recent years. Invaio is one of the companies researching and developing treatments for citrus greening. The volatility of these threats may cut into citrus harvest expectations, which leads experts to believe that higher prices for orange juice are likely to remain, at least in the short term.

Persons: Daniel Munch, Amy O'Shea, We've, O'Shea, Invaio's Trecise Organizations: United States Department of Agriculture, American Farm Bureau Federation, CNBC, Invaio Sciences, Florida Department of Agriculture, Community Services Locations: United States, Florida, Invaio

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWhy orange juice futures hit records and prices may even go higherCitrus growers are losing millions of dollars every year as U.S. orange production plummets amid extreme weather events, incurable citrus greening disease and inflationary pressure. In 2024, orange juice futures hit records and prices may even go higher. The problems plaguing global citrus production are not easily remedied, but experts are hopeful investment in innovations can help save U.S. citrus groves.

☆ Disease, drought and alternative fruits: The orange juice industry is in crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A worker at a citrus fruit farm separates the tangerines for sale on June 6, 2024 in Piedade dos Gerais, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Pedro Vilela | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesThe orange juice industry is reeling. The crisis has even prompted some orange juice manufacturers and blenders to explore whether alternative fruits, such as mandarins, apples and pears, can be used to dilute the drink. Bottles of Simply Orange orange juice are displayed for sale in a grocery store on September 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. High incidence of citrus greening

Persons: Pedro Vilela, Kees, Mario Tama, What's, greening, —, Greening Organizations: Getty, Vegetable Juice Association, CNBC, Intercontinental Exchange Locations: Piedade dos Gerais, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, Los Angeles , California, New York, Florida

☆ Orange juice prices are going through the roof — forcing some makers to consider alternative fruits
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Chandan Khanna | Afp | Getty ImagesOrange juice prices have climbed to fresh all-time highs amid persistent supply constraints, pushing the industry into crisis mode and forcing some makers to consider alternative fruits. The benchmark frozen concentrated orange juice futures, traded on the Intercontinental Exchange in New York, closed at $4.77 per pound on Wednesday . Orange juice on display in a grocery store on Jan. 19, 2023, in Miami, Florida. "A lot of them will be changing the quantities of juice they are putting in their blends to drop the orange juice and increase other juices, such as pear juice, apple juice, grape juice, so they are less reliant on the orange juice," Campbell told CNBC via telephone. "It does seem like this [situation] is going to be here for the longer term," he added, noting that some players in the orange juice market had observed a large drop in demand year-over-year.

Persons: Chandan Khanna, That's, Joe Raedle, Harry Campbell, Campbell, Fundecitrus Organizations: Afp, Getty, Intercontinental Exchange, CNBC, Bloomberg Locations: Arcadia , Florida, Florida, Brazil, U.S, New York, Orange, Miami , Florida, Itupeva, Sao Paulo state, Sao Paulo

☆ U.S. oil falls below $83 as war fears ease after Israel refrains from immediate Iran counterattack
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Crude oil futures were mixed Thursday after a selloff earlier in the week as traders discounted fears of a war between Israel and Iran that could disrupt crude supplies. The West Texas Intermediate contract for May delivery added 4 cents, or 0.05%, to settle at $82.73 a barrel. U.S. crude oil had gained nearly 1% to a session high of $83.47 before pulling back. Oil sold off more than 3% Wednesday as Israel has refrained so far from striking back against Iran for the Islamic Republic's unprecedented weekend air assault, reducing fears of a major war in the Middle East. U.S. crude oil and the global benchmark have fallen below the prices reached after Israel's airstrike against Iran's diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria at the start of the month, the event that triggered the current round of hostilities.

Persons: Brent, we've, Phil Flynn Organizations: The West Texas Intermediate, Oil, Price Futures Group, Israel's Locations: Israel, Iran, The, Damascus, Syria

☆ The big, month-long rally in commodities is turning these ETFs into winners
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Some equity funds closely tied to those commodities, such as those that invest in gold and silver miners, have soared even more. Five of the six biggest gold ETFs have seen outflows this year, totaling almost $3 billion, according to FactSet. GLD 5Y mountain Gold, and the ETFs that track it, are trading at record highs in early 2024. The fund's holdings include gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Meanwhile, Teucrium has several ETFs focused on agricultural commodities that have climbed over the past month as well, including the the Teucrium Soybean Fund (SOYB) , up over 3%.

Persons: Jake Hanley, Hanley, Robert Minter, Minter, Teucrium Organizations: United States Oil Fund, Hershey Locations: East, Europe

☆ U.S. crude oil falls 4% as Saudi price cut heightens global demand worries
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-08 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

An employee in a branded helmet is pictured at Saudi Aramco oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, 2019. U.S. crude oil declined 4% on Monday after Saudi Arabia slashed its prices, raising renewed worries that the market is oversupplied at the same time as demand is weakening. The Saudi price cut comes amid persistent market weakness due in large part to record U.S. crude production and softening demand in China. Maybe the landing might not be so soft," Phil Flynn of The Price Futures Group wrote on Monday. U.S. crude exports also rose by more than 1 million barrels per day to 5.2 million barrels per day in the same period.

Persons: Brent, Phil Flynn, Flynn, Antony Blinken, Bob Yawger, Yawger Organizations: West Texas Intermediate, Saudi Aramco, OPEC, The Price Futures, Mizuho, CNBC PRO Locations: Saudi Aramco, Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, China, ., Iran, Lebanon, Strait, Hormuz, U.S, Riyadh

☆ El Niño's 'sweet tooth' means indulgent treats could soon be even more expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-25 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Futures contracts on orange juice , cocoa , coffee and sugar have soared in part because of extreme weather and supply concerns related to El Niño. "You can say El Niño has a sweet tooth because it sort of eats or takes away much of the sugar in the world," Carlos Mera, head of agri commodities market research at Netherlands-based Rabobank, told CNBC. "Sugar prices have probably already been passed on [to consumers] but certainly for chocolate we should expect a big increase at retail level — and El Niño is certainly something to watch." Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesThe effects of El Niño tend to peak during December, but the impact typically takes time to spread across the globe. It also warned that several crops could be adversely affected by El Niño early next year, while acknowledging there is the potential for some crops to benefit, citing those in the United States, southern Brazil and Argentina.

Persons: El, Carlos Mera, El Niño, Joe Raedle, Dave Reiter, Reiter, Sia Kambou Organizations: Future Publishing, Rabobank, CNBC, Getty, Reiter Capital Investments, Twitter, Workers, Afp Locations: Yichang City, China's Hubei, Netherlands, El, Orange, Miami , Florida, Southeast Asia, India, Australia, Africa, United States, Brazil, Argentina, Florida, Hermankono

☆ U.S. crude declines as skepticism mounts over OPEC+ cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. crude declined Thursday, erasing early gains, as traders grew more convinced that OPEC+, a group composed of OPEC plus its oil-producing allies, will not deliver on promised output cuts. Riyadh agreed to extend its voluntary production cut of 1 million barrels per day, a source in the Energy Ministry told the Saudi Press Agency. Iraq is cutting by 223,000 bpd, the United Arab Emirates 163,000 bpd, Kuwait 135,000 bpd, Kazakhstan 82,000 bpd, Algeria 51,000 bpd and Oman 42,000 bpd. OPEC+ has a major problem when it comes to cohesion and compliance on output cuts, said John Kilduff of Again Capital. "They have their hands full and to me it's not going to prove to be a winning strategy for them," he said of the output cuts.

Persons: Brent, Alexander Novak, Phil Flynn, Flynn, John Kilduff, Kilduff, CNBC's, it's Organizations: West Texas Intermediate, Energy Ministry, Saudi Press Agency, United Arab Emirates, Traders, Price Futures, U.S, OPEC, CNBC PRO Locations: OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Oman, Russia, Asia, China

OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia, is due to hold an online ministerial meeting on Thursday to discuss 2024 production targets. The market tumbled last week when OPEC+ pushed back the original date for its meeting to iron out differences on production targets for African producers. "According to delegates, Saudi Arabia is demanding lower production quotas from the other OPEC+ countries. Oil also found support from a weak dollar, an expected decline in U.S. crude inventories and the drop in Kazakh output. A weaker dollar typically bolsters oil demand, making dollar-denominated oil less expensive for buyers using other currencies.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Waller, Phil Flynn, Commerzbank's Carsten Fritsch, Christopher Waller, Stephanie Kelly, Alex Lawler, Natalie Grover, Kim Coghill, David Goodman, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, . West Texas, Organization of, Petroleum, Price Futures Group, United, Reuters, American Petroleum Institute, The U.S, Federal, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Russia, Chicago, Angola, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates

☆ Oil slips 1% on concerns over delayed OPEC+ meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S., November 22, 2019. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slid 75 cents, or 1%, to $76.35 after dropping as much as 5% in the previous session. In a surprise move on Wednesday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia delayed a ministerial meeting at which they were expected to discuss oil output cuts to Nov. 30. OPEC+ members Angola and Nigeria are aiming for higher oil output, officials told Reuters on Thursday. "However, it may be more difficult to bridge the gap with Angola, which has been a moodier member of the producer group since it joined in 2007."

Persons: Angus Mordant, Helima Croft, Phil Flynn, Nia Williams, Natalie Grover, Arathy, Andrew Hayley, Mark Potter, David Goodman, Alexandra Hudson, Marguerita Choy, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, . U.S . West Texas, U.S, Organization of, Petroleum, Producers, Reuters, Capital Markets, Price Futures Group, Thomson Locations: Loving County , Texas, U.S, ., Russia, OPEC, Angola, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Chicago, British Columbia, London, Houston, Beijing

☆ U.S. crude oil fell into a bear market this week and could head lower as China 'haunts the market'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. crude oil prices entered a bear market this week, down 22% from September highs as traders wrangle over whether the spiral is driven by market fundamentals or just speculation. Phil Flynn, an oil market analyst with the Price Futures Group, said hedge funds have piled into short positions. There is still some "grind lower" in prices in store unless more positive data comes out of China, he said. If prices keep falling, the U.S. will slip from record production because shale producers will have trouble making money and stop investing, he said. The group has blamed speculators for the recent selloff and insisted market fundamentals are strong with China demand healthy.

Persons: Leo Mariani, Roth MKM, Phil Flynn, John Kilduff, Flynn, Kilduff, Matt Maley, Miller, Daniel Yergin, Yergin, Brent, — CNBC's Pippa Stevens Organizations: West Texas, Brent, Price Futures, Energy Information Agency, Again, Traders, P Global, Organization of, Petroleum, UBS, OPEC Locations: China, U.S, Canada, Brazil, Guyana, East, Israel, Persian, Hormuz

☆ U.S. crude prices fall nearly 4% as inventories rise amid demand worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An aerial view of a crude oil storage facility is seen on May 4, 2020 in Cushing, Oklahoma. U.S. crude prices fell nearly 4% on Thursday as inventories rose while industrial production fell. U.S. crude inventories rose by 3.6 million barrels last week while production held steady at a record 13.2 million barrels per day, according to data released by the Energy Information Agency Wednesday. Phil Flynn, an oil expert with the Price Futures Group, said slower industrial production combined with increased supply are playing into the slowing demand theory. OPEC said China's crude imports remain healthy, rising by 11.4 million barrels per day in October.

Persons: Phil Flynn, Flynn Organizations: Cushing , Oklahoma ., West Texas Intermediate, Brent, Energy Information Agency, United Auto Workers, Federal Reserve, Price Futures, National Bureau of Statistics, of Petroleum, International Monetary Fund, OPEC Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, Cushing , Oklahoma . U.S, China

☆ Oil is struggling this week but could be primed for a near-term bounce, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices may be due for a pop after their recent struggles, according to two analysts. International benchmark Brent is down 3.7% this week, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures have lost nearly 4%. Flynn said virtually everyone in the market right now is short oil futures. "You could easily mount a recovery here because we're probably the most oversold in a year in the market," said Flynn. OPEC+ will meet in two weeks and could take action to defend prices while there's still a low risk of regional war.

Persons: Phil Flynn, Flynn, we're, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, Qatar's Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Maximilian Layton, there's, Layton Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, Price Futures, Iranian, Iran's Press, Citi Locations: Europe, China, Qatar's Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Gaza, OPEC, Israel, Iran

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S., November 22, 2019. Also weighing on prices, U.S. crude oil stocks rose by almost 12 million barrels last week, market sources said late on Tuesday, citing American Petroleum Institute figures. Data from China, the world's biggest crude oil importer, showed its total exports of goods and services contracted faster than expected, feeding worries about the energy demand outlook. Analysts from Goldman Sachs estimated seaborne net oil exports by six countries from oil producer group OPEC will remain only 600,000 bpd below April levels. The government eased restrictions on Oct. 6, allowing diesel exports by pipeline, but kept measures on gasoline exports.

Persons: Angus Mordant, Goldman Sachs, Warren Patterson, Ewa Manthey, Phil Flynn, Nikolai Shulginov, Brent, Stephanie Kelly, Paul Carsten, Muyu Xu, Marguerita Choy, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, bbl, YORK, Brent, ING, American Petroleum Institute, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Price Futures, Goldman, OPEC, Barclays, Thomson Locations: Loving County , Texas, U.S, Russia, China, Israel, Gaza, Beijing, OPEC, Moscow

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, U.S., November 22, 2019. U.S. crude oil stocks rose by almost 12 million barrels last week, market sources said late on Tuesday, citing American Petroleum Institute figures. Data from China, the world's biggest crude oil importer, showed its total exports of goods and services contracted faster than expected, feeding worries about the energy demand outlook. Tempering supply concerns, analysts from Goldman Sachs estimated seaborne net oil exports by six countries from oil producer group OPEC will remain only 0.6 million bpd below April levels. In more bullish news for crude prices, OPEC expects the global economy to grow and drive fuel demand despite economic challenges including high inflation and interest rates.

Persons: Angus Mordant, Goldman Sachs, Warren Patterson, Ewa Manthey, Phil Flynn, Stephanie Kelly, Paul Carsten, Muyu Xu, David Goodman, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, ING, U.S . Energy Information Administration, EIA, American Petroleum Institute, Price Futures, Goldman, OPEC, Thomson Locations: Loving County , Texas, U.S, United States, China, Israel, Gaza, Beijing

☆ What orange juice futures tell us about the state of our world
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Cocoa and orange juice futures have hit multi-decade highs as climate change and harsh weather takes their toll on crops in warmer climates. Here’s the latest in the commodities market:Orange juiceOrange juice futures have soared to their highest levels since the commodity began trading in 1966. The January contract for frozen concentrated orange juice is currently sitting around $3.95, up nearly 94% so far this year. The rally has led to a rise in speculative betting, leading some analysts to call orange juice futures the new GameStop. But “the eventual crash in the price of orange juice will be one for the record books,” he quipped.

Persons: Nicole, it’s, they’re, ”, Dave Reiter, It’s, Brent, David Morrison, stoking, That’s, WeWork, Nathaniel Meyersohn, Ermengarde Jabir, Alicia Wallace, “, Ted Rossman Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, OJ, Sunshine State, Futures, GameStop, Reiter Capital Investments, Cocoa, West Texas Intermediate, “ Traders, Trade Nation . Energy, Wheat, Organisation for Economic Co, Federal Reserve Bank of New, New York Fed Locations: New York, Ukraine, Orange, US, Brazil, Mexico, Florida, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Ivory, Chicago, Southeast Asia, Europe, China, Russia, America, United States

The most recent week saw sales of Brent (11 million barrels), NYMEX and ICE WTI (4 million) and U.S. diesel (4 million) only partially offset by purchases of U.S. gasoline (3 million) and European gas oil (1 million). Short positions in NYMEX WTI climbed to 41 million barrels on Oct. 24 up from a 16-month low of 19 million barrels on Oct. 3. U.S. NATURAL GASFund managers were still struggling to become outright bullish about the outlook for U.S. gas despite futures prices being very low in real terms. Hedge funds and other money managers sold the equivalent of 125 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas futures and options over the seven days ending Oct. 24. From a statistical perspective, the very low inflation-adjusted base means there must be more potential for prices to rise rather than fall.

Persons: Brent, WTI, Cushing, NYMEX WTI, John Kemp, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: ICE Futures, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, ICE, U.S ., OPEC, Fund, Thomson, Reuters Locations: NYMEX, Brent

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Oil prices drop on Friday but gain over 1% for the weekHamas releases two US hostages in GazaEarlier, Israeli minister said troops to see Gaza 'from inside'Global oil market already faces supply concernsBENGALURU, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Oil prices settled lower on Friday after the Islamist group Hamas released two U.S. hostages from Gaza, leading to hopes the Israeli-Palestinian crisis could de-escalate without engulfing the rest of the Middle East region and disrupting oil supplies. Brent crude futures fell 22 cents, or 0.2%, to settle at $92.16 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for November delivery , which expired after settlement on Friday, fell 62 cents, or 0.7%, to $88.75 a barrel. Hamas' armed wing released two U.S. hostages from Gaza - a mother and her daughter - "for humanitarian reasons" in response to Qatari mediation efforts in the war with Israel, its spokesman Abu Ubaida said on Friday. "The report took some of the risk premium out of the market," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Abu Ubaida, Phil Flynn, Yoav Gallant, John Kilduff, Kilduff, Giovanni Staunovo, Brent, Staunovo, Shariq Khan, Paul Carsten, Florence Tan, Sudarshan, Shri Navaratnam, Jason Neely, David Gregorio, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, Brent, . West Texas, Price Futures, Israeli, Pentagon, UBS, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Gaza, BENGALURU, Hamas, Israel, Yemen, New York, Saudi Arabia, Russia

A person puts gas in a vehicle at a gas station in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., August 11, 2022. Brent crude futures rose $1.00, or 1.1%, to $93.26 a barrel by 11:24 a.m. EDT (1524 GMT). Both front-month contracts were headed for a second weekly gain on heightened fears of the Middle East conflict spreading. "The Middle East remains a big focus of the market because of fears of a region-wide conflict that would likely involve a disruption of oil supplies," said John Kilduff, a partner at New York-based Again Capital. "Venezuelan oil production will not be a significant factor in shaping the global oil balance in the foreseeable future," Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM wrote in a note.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Brent, John Kilduff, Kilduff, Yoav Gallant, Washington's, Phil Flynn, Tamas Varga, PVM, Shariq Khan, Paul Carsten, Florence Tan, Sudarshan, Shri Navaratnam, Jason Neely, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, . West Texas, Israeli, Pentagon, . Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Price Futures, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Gaza, Venezuela, BENGALURU, Israel, New York, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Russia, OPEC

☆ Oil prices edge higher ahead of Biden Middle East trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Nicole Jao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummaryCompanies Biden travels to Middle East on WednesdayBiden trip will balance Israel support with containing warUS-Venezuela talks could see oil sanctions easeUPCOMING - U.S. oil inventory data from API and EIANEW YORK, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday ahead of a trip by U.S. President Joe Biden to the Middle East that is likely to involve balancing support for Israel with trying to prevent any regional escalation of its war with Hamas. Fears the Middle East conflict could widen drove big gains in both oil benchmarks last week. The U.S. government has been seeking ways to increase the flow of oil to world markets to alleviate high prices. But any real oil output increase by Venezuela will take time because of a lack of investment. Looking ahead, the oil market is waiting for U.S. oil inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute (API), an industry group, on Tuesday and the government's Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday.

Persons: Companies Biden, Joe Biden, Brent, Biden's, Edward Moya, Nicolas Maduro's, Washington, Phil Flynn, Nicole Jao, Paul Carsten, Sudarshan, Kim Coghill, Ed Osmond, Jan Harvey, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Companies, Middle East, Wednesday Biden, U.S, Israel, Hamas, . West Texas, Brent, Wednesday, OPEC, Organization of Petroleum Exporting, Price Futures, Saudi Aramco, American Petroleum Institute, government's Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Middle, Israel, Venezuela, Iran, Lebanon, Washington, U.S, Saudi, OPEC, Russia, New York, London, Singapore

Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas U.S. August 22, 2018. As a result, the combined position was reduced to 483 million barrels (30th percentile for all weeks since 2013) down from 680 million barrels (64th percentile) on Sept. 19. Chartbook: Oil and gas positionsThe most recent week saw massive sales across the board, including Brent (-65 million barrels) and NYMEX and ICE WTI (-40 million), U.S. gasoline (-15 million), European gas oil (-13 million) and U.S. diesel (-7 million). Most of the adjustment came from liquidation of former bullish long positions (-122 million barrels) rather than initiation of new bearish short ones (+18 million). Net positions in Brent (20th percentile), U.S. gasoline (25th percentile) and European gas oil (28th percentile) were all well below their long-term averages.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Brent, Cushing, John Kemp Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, OPEC, Investors, ICE Futures, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Funds, ICE, U.S . diesel, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Midland , Texas, U.S, NYMEX, Brent , U.S, Brent

European distillate inventories were 25 million barrels (-6% or -0.84 standard deviations) below the seasonal average at the end of September. Singapore distillate stocks averaged 3 million barrels (-23% or 1.30 standard deviations) below the seasonal average in September. Chartbook: Global distillate inventories and pricesPortfolio investors have been reducing their exposure to middle distillates since late August, which has likely anticipated, accelerated and amplified the retreat in prices and margins. But inventories are already tight; any expansion will cause them to deplete further, rapidly putting renewed upward pressure on prices. Related columns:- U.S. manufacturing rebound will stretch diesel supplies (October 5, 2023)- Funds grow bullish on crude, cautious on distillates (September 18, 2023)- Global diesel shortage boosts prices (September 13, 2023)- U.S. diesel prices surge anticipating a soft landing (August 11, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Eric Gaillard, John Kemp, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, ICE Futures, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Global, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Nice, France, Singapore, New York, United States, U.S, Europe, China

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