Crude Oil dips on China concerns, gold (XAUUSD) range-bound

Oil eases in Asia on China fears

Oil prices consolidated their recent gains overnight, with Brent crude edging 0.70% lower to USD 122.85, and WTI easing by 0.80% to USD 121.45 a barrel. Oil has continued retreating in Asia, driven by China slowdown fears after widened Covid mass testing was announced for Shanghai this weekend. Brent crude is 0.53% lower at USD 122.20, and WTI is 0.60% lower at USD 120.70 a barrel.

Oil markets probably have more downside risk in the short-term, with another wave of China slowdown fears capping the upside. Somewhat counterintuitively, higher than forecast US inflation tonight may also spur more selling as markets price in a higher recession likelihood. Any losses are going to be limited though, as the physical tightness of both crude and refined products globally remain powerful supportive factors. Weekend event risk should also limit pullbacks.

Brent crude has traced out a series of highs at USD 124.25 marking initial resistance. After that, the road opens to USD125.00 and USD 128.00 a barrel, bringing the Ukraine invasion highs back into sight. Support is at USD 120.50 and USD 118.50 a barrel. WTI has resistance at USD 123.15, the overnight high, and then USD 125.00 and USD 127.00 a barrel. Support is at USD 119.35 and USD 117.50 a barrel.

Gold remains in a coma

Gold remains confined to a narrow USD 1840.00 to USD 1860.00 an ounce range, comfortably continuing to move in an inverted manner to US dollar moves. Gold’s main hope for a directional breakout rests with US Inflation data moving the US dollar materially one way or the other. In the meantime, bring a good book.

Gold has resistance at USD 1870.00, followed by the 100-DMA at USD 1890.00, and then USD 1900.00, where I expect there to be options-related sellers in the first instance. Support is at USD 1837, USD 1830.00, and then USD 1780.00 an ounce. I do not discount a disorderly retreat if the latter fails. The wider USD 1830.00 to USD 1870.00 range seems set to continue until the US data.

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.

Oil dips on China concerns, gold range-bound - MarketPulseMarketPulse

Jeffrey Halley

With more than 30 years of FX experience – from spot/margin trading and NDFs through to currency options and futures – Jeffrey Halley is OANDA’s senior market analyst for Asia Pacific, responsible for providing timely and relevant macro analysis covering a wide range of asset classes. He has previously worked with leading institutions such as Saxo Capital Markets, DynexCorp Currency Portfolio Management, IG, IFX, Fimat Internationale Banque, HSBC and Barclays. A highly sought-after analyst, Jeffrey has appeared on a wide range of global news channels including Bloomberg, BBC, Reuters, CNBC, MSN, Sky TV, Channel News Asia as well as in leading print publications including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, among others. He was born in New Zealand and holds an MBA from the Cass Business School.