financetom
Business
financetom
/
Business
/
Oil slips as investors eye Israel-Gaza truce talks, US Fed policy review
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Oil slips as investors eye Israel-Gaza truce talks, US Fed policy review
Apr 29, 2024 10:05 PM

(Reuters) -Oil edged down on Tuesday after Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks in Cairo helped quell market fears of an expanded conflict in the Middle East, while worries about the outlook for U.S. interest rates weighed on the market.

Brent crude futures dipped 10 cents, or 0.11%, to $88.30 a barrel at 0423 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures slipped 13 cents, or 0.16%, to $82.50 a barrel.

The front-month contract of both benchmarks lost more than 1% on Monday.

"The ongoing negotiation for a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has led market participants to further unwind the geopolitical risk premium in oil prices, while the upcoming Fed meeting also drives some near-term reservations," said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG.

"Rates being kept at elevated levels for longer could trigger a further rise in the U.S. dollar, while also putting some risks to oil demand outlook."

Hamas negotiators left Cairo late on Monday to consult with the group's leadership after talks with Qatari and Egyptian mediators on a response to a phased truce proposal that Israel presented on the weekend.

The delegation was expected to report back within two days, two Egyptian security sources said.

While Hamas leaders visited Cairo, Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of Palestinians on Monday, with more than half the dead in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which foreign leaders have urged Israel not to invade.

Continued attacks by Yemen's Houthis on maritime traffic south of the key Suez Canal trading route have kept a floor under oil prices and could prompt higher risk premiums if players anticipate crude supply disruptions.

Houthis targeted two U.S. destroyers and the vessel Cyclades in the Red Sea as well as the MSC Orion in the Indian Ocean, the Iran-aligned group's military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a televised speech early on Tuesday.

On the economic front, investors are on watch this week for the U.S. Federal Reserve's May 1 policy review, with stubborn inflation pushing out market expectations for any rate cuts, which could bolster the U.S. dollar and hamper oil demand.

Some investors are cautiously pricing a higher probability that the Fed could hike interest rates by a quarter percentage point this year and next as inflation and the labor market remain resilient.

Additionally, concerns over demand have also weighed on sentiment, ANZ analysts said in a research note, as premiums for diesel and heating oil over crude oil have fallen to their lowest level in months.

"The four-week average consumption in the U.S. is near the average seasonal low of the past five years," said ANZ, citing data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
Tata Power Renewable Energy wins 200-MW project in collaboration with SJVN
Tata Power Renewable Energy wins 200-MW project in collaboration with SJVN
Nov 28, 2023
The firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) project, designed with a hybrid of solar, wind, and battery storage, is aimed at providing a stable and dispatchable energy supply during peak hours. Shares of Tata Power Company Ltd ended at ₹270.75, up by ₹12.60, or 4.88%, on the BSE.
SJVN secures 200-MW wind power project at ₹3.24 per unit
SJVN secures 200-MW wind power project at ₹3.24 per unit
Nov 16, 2023
Projected to generate 482 million units in its inaugural year post-commissioning, the cumulative energy generation over a 25-year span is anticipated to reach 12,050 million units. Shares of SJVN Ltd ended at ₹75.17, down by ₹0.50, or 0.66%, on the BSE.
Suzlon's S144–3 MW wind turbines get big boost from Indian government
Suzlon's S144–3 MW wind turbines get big boost from Indian government
Nov 15, 2023
Th Suzlon wind turbines received the RLMM (Revised List of Models & Manufacturers) listing from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, marking an important milestone for the successful commercialisation of the product. Shares of Suzlon Energy Ltd ended at ₹40.49, up by ₹1.85, or 4.79%, on the BSE.
This sustainable jewellery brand is luring some women away from gold
This sustainable jewellery brand is luring some women away from gold
Oct 30, 2023
Aulerth's offerings range from ₹5,000 to as high as ₹2.8 lakh. Are women willing to spend this much on jewellery made from scrap? Founder and CEO Vivek Ramabhadran definitely believes so. Aulerth produces couture-inspired pieces in association with designers like JJ Valaya, Suneet Varma, among others. It has reported 33% repeat customers in the past year and expects a spike to 40% soon.
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved