brent oil

Oil has added more than 14% this month, and Brent spot contracts are trading near $90 a barrel. Steady strengthening has been underway for the past two months after it became clear that the widespread Omicron strain is not leading to new travel restrictions. The November correction in oil served the bulls well by unloading the market from an overhang of bullish positions. We now see a resistance breakout, which has reversed oil twice before, in 2018 and 2021. On the fundamental analysis side, we also see a short-term bullish picture for oil. The Americans continue to ramp up drilling activity, bringing the number of working rigs to 610 last week. However, this is still not enough to significantly accelerate production. Production has stabilised around 11.7 mln BPD for the last nine weeks. These are significant volumes by historical standards: America only produced more from early 2019 to May 2020. But these volumes are not enough to stem the decline in stocks, which have returned to the region of the 2019 lows despite the sell-off and the strategic reserve. On the other hand, there are no signs yet that OPEC+ will accelerate its 400k BPD production increase plan at the beginning of the month. Moreover, there is a chronic over-quota, meaning countries are producing less than quotas allow. Some attribute this to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries pushing prices as high as possible. But several observers also point out that the cartel and many other countries cannot produce more because they have severely underinvested in past years. This argument is doubly true for Russia, the US, and several countries where production requires sustained investment. This sets the stage for oil to move into the $85-105 area in the first half of the year. However, oil bulls should remain cautious because of tightening monetary conditions in the US and other DM countries. In addition, production is rising, albeit slowly, and the demand ceiling is just around the corner.

Oil prices leap on EU oil ban Oil prices leapt higher overnight as markets digested the impact of the proposed EU ban on Russian oil imports. Additionally, the OPEC+ JTC is indicating that there will be no change in the monthly schedule of production increases, with some members in fact noting that China’s demand has slumped. Brent crude rose by 4.05% to USD 111.10 overnight, with WTI climbing by 3.90% to USD 107.55 a barrel. ​ In Asia, Brent and WTI have had a muted session, adding just 0.50% each to USD 110.60 and USD 108.10 respectively. In the bigger picture, Brent crude is still in a broader USD 100.00 to USD 120.00 range, and WTI in a USD 95.00 to USD 115.00 range. Only a weekly close above or below those levels signals a new directional move. Overall, we remain in a situation where the Ukraine/Russia conflict and the inability of OPEC+ to even meet their pre-agreed quotas is keeping spot prices tight, while China’s covid-zero-induced slowdown is acting to cap price increases. With the sanction situation on Russia escalating, and with Russian retaliation not out of the question, I believe the risks of the Ukraine conflict becoming more fully priced into energy markets are increasing.   Gold rallies on a weaker US dollar Gold rose sharply overnight as the US dollar plummeted post-FOMC after the Fed hiked by 0.50% as expected, and eased concerns around future 0.75% hikes. Gold rose 0.70% to USD 1881.50 an ounce, before continuing its rally in Asia, gaining an impressive 1.10% to USD 1901.65 today. The move in Asia is unusual, even more so because other asset classes in Asia are not showing a strong continuation of the US dollar sell-off seen overnight, although Asian currencies have rallied modestly in trading today. I suspect the buying is coming out of China as that market had returned from holidays today. From a technical perspective, gold reclaimed the 100-day moving average at USD 1881.00 overnight, which becomes intraday support, followed by USD 1850.00 and USD 1835.00 an ounce. Gold faces resistance at USD 1920.00 and USD 1960.00 an ounce. It is too early to say that gold prices have turned a corner. If the US dollar correction lower continues, then gold can certainly continue rallying. But if the US dollar sell-off runs out of steam, then gold will struggle to maintain gains above USD 1900.00 an ounce.   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.

Summary: Brent crude oil prices are seeing some decline. Silver prices face downward pressure amidst the US Dollar Strengthening. Corn prices fall amidst worries about falling demand. Read next: (XAUUSD) Gold, Coffee and Crude Oil - Commodities Facing Price Trouble Over the Past Month  Brent crude oil price falls. The price of oil has fallen on Monday amidst concerns around the strengthening US Dollar which hit a two-decade high, making holding oil more expensive for other currencies. The lockdowns in China have raised concerns around the demand for oil from the world's biggest importer. In addition the world's biggest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, lowered the prices of crude for Europe and Asia in June. All of these factors have resulted in the price of Brent Crude Oil falling. Brent Crude Oil Futures Price Chart   Read next: What Is (DYDX)? dYdX Cryptocurrency Supporting Perpetual Trading - Altcoins of Interest | FXMAG.COM    As US yields increase, silver's value falls. The price of silver has been falling over the past week. The price fall comes as the Fed continues with their hawkish attitude. Silver is used as a hedge against inflation, with the Fed increasing the US yields in an attempt to fight inflation, the opportunity cost for holding silver increases. Investors are selling their silver and turning to investments where they can yield a higher return at the same level of risk i.e. US treasury bonds. Silver Jul ‘22 Futures Price Chart Corn prices facing downward price pressure. On monday the price of Corn futures had fallen by almost 1%, there has been a downward price trend for corn futures over the past week. There are still concerns around the lack of supply for corn all over the world, however, with the lockdowns in China, concerns around falling demand have risen. Last week the amount of traders who shorted corn outweighed those who chose to go long, indicating they expected the price to drop. Corn Jul ‘22 Futures Price Chart Read next: Soybean Prices Reached Almost Record Prices, Platinum Investors Turning To New Suppliers, Copper Prices Struggling To Recover.  Sources: Finance.yahoo.com, cnbc.com, reuters.com, barchart.com

Summary: Brent crude oil prices are rising in response to increasing demand. Silver prices are rising again. Improved weather conditions is leaving the market hopeful for an improved corn crop. Read next: (XAUUSD) Gold Prices Rise In The Wake Of Concerns Around U.S Economic Slowdown, Crude Oil Prices Rally In Response To Increasing Demand And Concerns Around Supply, Cotton Prices  Brent Crude Oil prices rising With the expected increase in demand for Brent crude oil in both the United States and in China's post-lockdown world, the price of Brent crude oil is rising. U.S gasoline and fuel prices remain at a record high level as the busiest driving season approaches. The market expects the demand for Brent crude to increase with the easing of lockdowns in China, causing further concerns around supply in an already tight market. Brent Crude Oil Futures Price Chart Silver prices rise again. A weakening US Dollar has aided in the rising price of Silver. Silver is considered a safe asset and is commonly used as a hedge against inflation which is attractive in the current economic environment. In addition, the rise in the price of silver also comes with investor need for safe-haven assets with the geo-political tensions and the concerns around the slowing global growth. Silver Jul ‘22 Futures Price Chart Corn futures fall Late last week the price of corn futures fell, this came in the wake of investors buying wheat and selling corn in spread trades amidst signs of improved U.S corn crop planting. The improved corn planting is easing concerns around supply, driving the price lower. Corn Jul ‘22 Futures Price Chart Read next: ECB Offering The Euro Support (EUR/USD), Strengthening Of The Renminbi Supporting The EUR and GBP, SNB Turns Hawkish (EUR/CHF) - Good Morning Forex!  Sources: finance.yahoo.com, tradingeconomics.com

Summary: Lockdowns in China ease causing demand for Brent Crude to rise. Silver prices increase as market participants seek safe-haven assets. Supply concerns around corn are easing. read next (XAUUSD) Gold Prices Rose For Second Consecutive Week, Concerns Around Crude Oil Supply Continues To Drive Price, Soybean Prices Rising  Brent Crude Oil prices continue to rise The combination of Beijing and Shanghai beginning to come out of Covid-19 restrictions over the weekend and the ongoing European discussions regarding banning crude oil imports from Russia are causing concerns around supply to tighten. On Monday and Tuesday an EU governments will use a summit to continue to argue in favour of an embargo on Russian crude. The prices of Crude oil are going into their sixth straight month of gains amidst the supply concerns, as demand begins to rise back up to pre-pandemic levels. Brent Crude Oil Price Chart Silver prices are still on the rise A weaker US Dollar continues to give room for the price of silver to rise. Amidst continuing geopolitical tensions and growing concerns regarding slower global growth, investors are turning more towards safe-haven assets. Silver is considered to be a hedge against inflation, the Fed is still expected to tighten monetary policy by raising interest rates further at their next two meetings. Silver Jul ‘22 Futures Prices Corn prices are falling The price of corn futures fell late in May, to the lowest value in almost six weeks amidst expectations of higher supply and the easing of trading restrictions between major producers. Beijing and Brazil reached an agreement to begin corn exports from Brazil to China, after years of talks. In addition, actual planting of corn exceeded market expectations. The easing of supply concerns is slowly driving the price of corn futures down. Corn Jul ‘22 Futures Price Chart Sources: finance.yahoo.com, tradingeconomics.com

Summary: Rising covid cases in China and 40-year high US Inflation. The global economic outlook remains dim due to the rising borrowing costs, the war in Ukraine, high commodity prices and ongoing supply disruptions. Failed talks between Russia and Ukraine puts corn supplies under pressure. Read next: (XAUUSD) Gold Prices Falling In The Run-Up To US Inflation Data Release, NGAS Prices Fall But Remain Elevated, Coffee Prices  Brent Crude prices fall for third session Brent crude oil futures prices have fallen on Monday for their third session as investors have been monitoring the covid situation in China and have remained concerned that rising inflation may hinder growth and negatively impact the demand for oil. Major cities in China are fighting rising covid-19 cases with officials warning of “ferocious” Covid spread in Beijing. In addition, U.S inflation hit a 40-year high of 8.6% last month, which increases the likelihood of more aggressive interest rate hikes from the FED. On Saturday US Fuel prices went above $5 per gallon, extending the surge in fuel costs that is driving rising inflation. Goldman Sachs indicated on Friday that energy prices needed to increase further before achieving a destruction in demand that is sufficient for market rebalancing. Brent Crude Oil Price Chart Silver prices reaches its lowest level in 4 weeks Investors' worries around the global economic outlook and a more hawkish attitude from the Federal Reserve have been strengthening, pushing silver prices down to its lowest level in four weeks. The global economic outlook remains dim due to the rising borrowing costs, the war in Ukraine, high commodity prices and ongoing supply disruptions. The Fed is due to continue tightening its monetary policy during the coming week after US inflation reached 41-year highs during May, in addition the ECB and RBA have also chosen a more hawkish path as inflation shows no signs of peaking. Silver Jul ‘22 Futures Price Chart Corn Prices rising amidst concerns around supply. Corn prices reached nearly eight week highs in the wake of new concerns around grain supplies. Talks failed between two of the major corn suppliers, Russia and the Ukraine around the resuming of Ukrainian exports despite the Turkish efforts to negotiate a safe passage for grain stuck at the Black Sea Ports. Russian President Putin said free shipment depended on an end to sanctions on Russia. Corn Dec ‘22 Futures Price Chart Sources: finance.yahoo.com, tradingeconomics.com

Summary: The international oil benchmark fell around 6% on Friday. Silver fell below the $22 per-ounce mark on Friday, closing at its lowest level since June 2020. Failed negotiations between Russia and the Ukraine. Read next: Coffee Prices Rising Amidst Tight Supply Concerns, WTI Oil Facing Its First Weekly Decline Since Mid-April, Platinum Prices At 6 Week Low  Brent Crude Oil prices remain supported Brent Crude Oil prices fell to almost 5 week lows on Monday amidst concerns around slowing global economic growth and fuel demand which outweighed expectations of higher near-term consumption and ongoing supply issues. The international oil benchmark fell around 6% on Friday amidst concerns of global economic fallouts from higher interest rates shook financial markets. U.S Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm warned markets of a “continued upward pull on demand” over the weekend, and of the likelihood of high gasoline prices continuing. Crude prices have been supported by the war in the Ukraine, civil unrest in Libya and OPEC’s failure to pump more oil. Brent Crude Oil Price Chart Silver prices close below $22 per-ounce Silver fell below the $22 per-ounce mark on Friday, closing at its lowest level since June 2020, in the wake of bets of more aggressive monetary policy tightening by central banks steered investors away from the non-yield metal. Silver Jul ‘22 Futures Price Chart Corn prices rising amidst new concerns around supply Corn prices rose to 4 week highs in mid-June amidst new concerns around grain supplies. Talks between Russia and the Ukraine, two of the largest grain exporters, around resuming Ukrainian exports failed, despite Turkish efforts to negotiate a safe corridor for the grain stuck at Black Sea ports. Meanwhile, Brazil and Beijing reached an agreement after years of negotiation to start corn exports from Brazil to China. Corn Dec ‘22 Futures Price Chart Sources: finance.yahoo.com, tradingeconomics.com

FX Daily: The Saudi squeeze brings energy back into the FX mix If the beleaguered euro and yen did not have enough to worry about already, they now have to cope with Brent oil trading above $90/bl as the Saudis extend their supply cuts through to year-end. Unless the US ISM services index somehow collapses today, expect the dollar to remain in demand. EUR/JPY, however, could start to turn lower based on positioning.   USD: ISM services the only threat to an otherwise bullish story The relentless rise of the dollar continues. The DXY yesterday pushed up to the highest levels since March as US yields once again edged higher. While the busiest day in US investment-grade corporate issuance in three years has surely been weighing on US treasuries, the FX market has also come under the spell of higher energy prices. The Saudis have this week confirmed their plan to roll over their 1mn barrels per day supply cut into December. This is keeping conditions tight in crude energy markets and now sees Brent trading over $90/bl. To FX markets, that provides an unwelcome reminder of the spike in energy prices last summer which had hit the energy-importing currencies in Europe and Asia. US energy independence and its net exporter status leave the dollar well-positioned for higher energy prices. It would seem the only real threat to the dollar in the near term would be some dramatic re-assessment of growth prospects. That brings us to the key piece of US data this week – today's release of the ISM services index for August. A sharp fall in this series did weigh on the dollar at the tail end of last year, but unless this really surprises with a sub-50 reading today, expect the dollar to hold onto recent gains and consolidate at these high levels before the US August CPI release this time next week. In terms of G3 currencies, we might see some re-adjustment, however. Speculators still seem to be holding onto long euro positions, while they continue to run very short positions against the yen on the carry trade. USD/JPY upside now looks more limited as rhetoric from Tokyo threatens imminent intervention. Positioning suggests EUR/USD support levels are more vulnerable. EUR/JPY may now struggle to get over the 158.50 area and may be about to embark on a correction to the 155 area.

 Following on from weakness in the US and Europe, stocks in Asia fell across the board as oil prices extended gains ahead of today’s key US inflation report. The weakness in US stocks was led by technology companies with Apple dropping almost 2%. The potentially tightest oil market in a decade lifted oil prices while raising fresh inflation concerns saw the 2-year Treasury yield back above 5%, while the dollar traded mixed against its G10 peers after seeing broad gains on Tuesday. US CPI the focus today given the current 50/50 split on whether the FOMC will hike rates one more time.   Equities: Nasdaq 100 futures are sliding further this morning to the 15,478 level as Apple’s iPhone event last night failed to muster any excitement, which means that the market is now in a wait-and-see mode ahead of today’s US inflation report. Energy stocks continue to be in focus given the rally in Brent crude on estimated oil supply shortfall due to Saudi Arabia’s oil production cuts. FX: Higher crude oil prices made CAD the G-10 outperformer with USDCAD down to 1.3550 from 1.3590 but EUR attempted to catch up in late NY/early Asian hours on ECB leak that inflation forecasts may be raised higher which are seen to be raising the prospect of a hike this week. EURUSD jumped higher to 1.0770 with EURGBP above the 0.86 hurdle as GBPUSD dipped below 1.25 on not-so-hawkish labor market. USDCNH takes another leg lower below 7.29 but AUDUSD also dipped to 0.64 handle in Asia. Commodities: Saudi Arabia’s ‘stable market’ reason for cutting production rings increasingly hallow after OPEC in their monthly report said the market may experience a shortfall of 3.3m b/d in the fourth quarter. With the EIA meanwhile only predicting a 230k b/d shortfall, OPEC could find themselves being accused of trying to inflate prices to meet big spending plans among its members. IEA’s report will be on watch today ahead of the US CPI print and EIA’s weekly stock report which according to API’s figures may show a rise. Oil’s rally to a fresh 10-month high and the stronger dollar saw gold drop below 200DMA as inflation concerns returned, bringing more fear of rate hikes. Fixed income: European sovereign curves are likely to bear-flatten this morning after Reuters reported that the ECB expects inflation to remain above 3% next year and growth to be downgraded for this and next year. Despite the upcoming forecasts painting the perfect stagflation picture for the eurozone, policymakers will weigh their options carefully and tilt towards a hawkish pause rather than a hike. Yet, they might need to reinforce their message by ending reinvestments under the PEPP facility. That would buy them enough time to wait for rate hikes to feed through the economy instead of adding pressure to the German and Dutch recessions. The focus today is on the US CPI numbers and the 30-year US Treasury auction. Volatility: VIX traded 43 cents higher at 14.23, but more importantly the VIX futures traded 1.31 higher, up to 15.95, indicating there is some uncertainty about the upcoming US inflation report. Adobe, which is scheduled to release its earnings report later this week, closed lower yesterday. Options traders were divided on the stock, with the put/call ratio at 1, indicating that equal amounts of calls and puts were traded. This might suggest that there is no clear consensus on how the earnings report will be received.  Macro: ECB’s new 2024 inflation projection could be raised above 3% vs 3% in June, firming case for interest rate hike. ECB also to cut 2023 and 2024 economic growth projections to broadly in line with market expectations. UK labor report was mixed with headline earnings up 8.5% YoY in July vs. 8.2% expected. For more, read our latest Macro/FX Watch. In the news: Europe's high gas prices hit industrial output – full story on Reuters. Apple unveiled four new iPhone models with a muted reaction from investors in extended trading – full story in FT. Technical analysis: S&P 500 rejected at 4,540 resistance level, expect set back, support at 4,340.Nasdaq 100 rejected at 15,561 key resistance level. USDJPY uptrend eyeing 149-150. EURUSD downtrend, support at 1.0685, Expect short-term bounce to 1.08. Brent oil uptrend potential to 98.50 Macro events: UK Industrial Production (Jul) exp. -0.7% m/m vs 1.8% prior (0600 GMT), US CPI (Aug) exp. 0.6% m/m and 0.2% core vs 02% and 0.2% prior (1230 GMT), US 30-year T-bond auction ($20 billion) Commodities events:  IEA’s Oil Market Report (0900 GMT), EIA’s Weekly Crude and Fuel Stock Report (1430 GMT) Earnings events: Inditex F424 1H results, which have already reported with EPS at €0.81 vs est. €0.80 and a small positive revenue surprise.