Oil prices hold near 2-week low on gloomy demand outlook
OIL & GAS

Oil prices hold near 2-week low on gloomy demand outlook

Oil prices held near their lowest in two weeks, a day after OPEC downgraded its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2024 and 2025 and amid demand concerns in China. Brent futures were up 49 cents, or 0.6% , to $72.38 a barrel at 1040 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 48 cents, or 0.7%, at $68.60. "Crude oil prices edged higher as tightness in the physical market offset bearish sentiment on demand. Buyers in the physical market have been particularly active, with any available cargoes being snapped up quickly," ANZ analysts said in a note. But falling demand projections and weakness in major consumer China continued to weigh on market sentiment and crude prices.Oil prices have lately dropped sharply due to a stronger dollar following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, weak Chinese stimulus efforts, and OPEC cutting its demand forecasts, said Charalampos Pissouros, senior analyst at XM. "All these developments keep the risks surrounding oil prices tilted to the downside, suggesting that WTI crude oil may soon visit its September lows of around $65.70," said Pissouros. OPEC lowered its global oil demand growth forecast for this year and next, citing weakness in China, India, and other regions. This marked the producer group's fourth straight downward revision for 2024. Oil prices settled up 0.1 Percent on Tuesday following the news, after a 5 Percent drop in the previous two sessions. The International Energy Agency, which has a far lower forecast, is set to publish its updated estimate on Thursday On the supply side, markets could still face disruption from Iran or further conflict between Iran and Israel, according to Barclays. Trump's expected pick for secretary of state, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, is known for his hardline stance on Iran, China and Cuba. Rubio's appointment could be bullish for prices, as his hawkish view on Iran could see sanctions enforced, potentially removing 1.3 million barrels per day from global supply, said Panmure Liberum analyst Ashley Kelty. Iran's oil minister said the country had made plans to sustain its oil production and exports, and was ready for possible oil restrictions from the U.S, according to the ministry's news website Shana. Also in focus, is the American Petroleum Institute's data, due at 4:30 p.m. EST (2130 GMT) Wednesday. Analysts polled by Reuters expect a 100,000-barrel rise in crude inventories for the week ending Nov. 8.

Oil prices held near their lowest in two weeks, a day after OPEC downgraded its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2024 and 2025 and amid demand concerns in China. Brent futures were up 49 cents, or 0.6% , to $72.38 a barrel at 1040 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 48 cents, or 0.7%, at $68.60. Crude oil prices edged higher as tightness in the physical market offset bearish sentiment on demand. Buyers in the physical market have been particularly active, with any available cargoes being snapped up quickly, ANZ analysts said in a note. But falling demand projections and weakness in major consumer China continued to weigh on market sentiment and crude prices.Oil prices have lately dropped sharply due to a stronger dollar following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, weak Chinese stimulus efforts, and OPEC cutting its demand forecasts, said Charalampos Pissouros, senior analyst at XM. All these developments keep the risks surrounding oil prices tilted to the downside, suggesting that WTI crude oil may soon visit its September lows of around $65.70, said Pissouros. OPEC lowered its global oil demand growth forecast for this year and next, citing weakness in China, India, and other regions. This marked the producer group's fourth straight downward revision for 2024. Oil prices settled up 0.1 Percent on Tuesday following the news, after a 5 Percent drop in the previous two sessions. The International Energy Agency, which has a far lower forecast, is set to publish its updated estimate on Thursday On the supply side, markets could still face disruption from Iran or further conflict between Iran and Israel, according to Barclays. Trump's expected pick for secretary of state, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, is known for his hardline stance on Iran, China and Cuba. Rubio's appointment could be bullish for prices, as his hawkish view on Iran could see sanctions enforced, potentially removing 1.3 million barrels per day from global supply, said Panmure Liberum analyst Ashley Kelty. Iran's oil minister said the country had made plans to sustain its oil production and exports, and was ready for possible oil restrictions from the U.S, according to the ministry's news website Shana. Also in focus, is the American Petroleum Institute's data, due at 4:30 p.m. EST (2130 GMT) Wednesday. Analysts polled by Reuters expect a 100,000-barrel rise in crude inventories for the week ending Nov. 8.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Set to Launch by 2028

India’s first bullet train is set to revolutionize high-speed travel along the western corridor, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project aiming for a 2028 launch. This announcement marks a major milestone in India’s infrastructure goals, as it promises to reduce travel time between the two economic hubs from eight hours to just three.Spanning a planned 508-kilometre stretch, the corridor stands as a flagship example of Indo-Japanese collaboration in technology and engineering. Once operational, the train is expected to transform intercity mobility and place India among the select..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Gandhinagar Train Service Enhances Passenger Capacity

The Mumbai Central–Gandhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express has increased its passenger capacity by adding four additional AC chair car coaches to meet the growing commuter demand on one of India’s busiest business corridors. This upgrade, effective from 11 May, raised the train’s seating capacity from 1,128 to 1,440 passengers, allowing it to serve 936 more passengers daily in both directions. The increase was described as a practical measure to accommodate the surging demand on the busy Mumbai–Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar route, which regularly operates at over 150 percent seat occupancy...

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Delhi Plans 12 Sewage Plants to Clean Najafgarh Drain Efficiently

Delhi’s ambitious plan to improve the water quality of the Yamuna River has gained significant momentum as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has begun work on 12 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) aimed at reducing the volume of untreated sewage being discharged from the Najafgarh Drain.This initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts to clean the Yamuna and restore the river’s health, which has long been a critical environmental issue for the national capital. Given the alarming pollution levels in the Yamuna, experts and officials consider this project a vital step toward addressing the persist..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?