Summary:
- Concerns around demand for crude oil is driving the prices down.
- Coffee futures trading higher amidst concerns around crop production.
WTI Crude Oil prices on track to lose more than 8% in August
WTI crude futures resumed their downward trend on Wednesday, falling to about $89 per barrel, continuing the loss from the previous session and putting them on track to lose over 8% of their value in August as concerns about tight monetary policy and Covid limits in China push energy demand downward. Since aggressive measures are required to stabilize consumer prices after the eurozone's inflation rate extended its record-high in August, ECB officials stated a 75 bps rate increase is being considered for their upcoming meeting. The Fed is also anticipated to maintain high borrowing costs for an extended period of time, even if doing so slows growth. New Covid outbreaks, which forced millions of people into stringent lockdowns in the key Chinese cities of Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Dalian, added to concerns about sluggish economic activity in the world's largest oil importer after August PMI data showed contraction for the second consecutive month. Conflicts in Iraq kept markets on edge in terms of supply, but the country's oil production was mainly unaffected.
WTI Crude Oil Futures Price Chart
Palladium prices have risen overall in 2022
Since the start of 2022, palladium prices have climbed by 187.18 USD/t oz., or 9.89%, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that monitors the benchmark market for this commodity.
Palladium Dec ‘22 Futures Price Chart
Coffee Futures
As the attention remained on the weather in top producer Brazil, Arabica coffee futures on ICE were trading down marginally from an almost six-month high that was achieved on August 25. Concerns that there might not be enough moisture to sustain the development of coffee buds and cherries after some early flowering were allayed by the forecast for rain in Brazilian coffee regions over the following ten days. However, Maxar Technologies reported last week that the effects of La Nina are likely to persist through the end of the year. This suggests that Brazil will receive less rain through the end of the year, which could exacerbate the country's current drought and put additional strain on its coffee crops. After reaching a 23-year low of 571,580 bags on August 15, the most recent data showed that ICE-certified arabica stockpiles on August 29th remained at 663,874 bags, an increase of eight consecutive days.
Coffee Dec ‘22 Futures Price Chart
Sources: finance.yahoo.com, tradingeconomics.com
