financetom
World
financetom
/
World
/
Oil nudges higher after Saudi Arabia hikes prices
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Oil nudges higher after Saudi Arabia hikes prices
May 5, 2024 8:34 PM

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil futures edged up on Monday after Saudi Arabia hiked June crude prices for most regions and as the prospect of a Gaza ceasefire deal appeared slim, renewing fears the Israel-Hamas conflict could still widen in the key oil producing region.

Brent crude futures climbed 28 cents, or 0.3%, to $83.24 a barrel at 0119 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $78.40 a barrel, up 29 cents, or 0.4%.

Saudi Arabia raised the official selling prices (OSPs) for its crude sold to Asia, Northwest Europe and the Mediterranean in June, signalling expectations of strong demand this summer.

"After falling a little more than 7.3% last week due to easing geopolitical tensions, ICE Brent has started the new trading week on a stronger footing, opening higher," ING's head of commodities research Warren Patterson said in a note.

This comes after Saudi Arabia raised June OSPs for most regions amid a tightening of supplies this quarter, he added.

Last week, both futures contracts posted their steepest weekly loss in three months with Brent falling more than 7% and WTI down 6.8%, as investors weighed weak U.S. jobs data and the possible timing of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut.

The geopolitical risk premium in oil prices has also eased as talks for a Gaza ceasefire are underway.

However, prospects for a deal appeared slim on Sunday as Hamas reiterated its demand for an end to the war in exchange for the freeing of hostages, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flatly ruled that out.

In a sign supply may tighten, U.S. energy companies cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for a second week in a row last week, with oil rigs down seven to 499, in the biggest weekly drop since November 2023, Baker Hughes ( BKR ) said in a report on Friday.

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 >
METALS-China demand drives up copper prices ahead of national holiday
METALS-China demand drives up copper prices ahead of national holiday
May 25, 2025
(Adds analyst comment, updates prices, changes dateline) By Polina Devitt LONDON, April 29 (Reuters) - Copper prices rose on Tuesday as a result of high demand from top consumer China ahead of its May holiday, concerns about tight nearby regional supply, and a stronger yuan currency. Benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was up 0.9% to $9,458.50...
Morning Bid: Trade fears ebb, Canada's Carney returns
Morning Bid: Trade fears ebb, Canada's Carney returns
May 25, 2025
LONDON (Reuters) - What matters in U.S. and global markets today By Mike Dolan, Editor-At-Large, Financial Industry and Financial Markets A calmer mood has pervaded world markets this week, as a torrent of upcoming U.S. economic health reports and corporate updates are corralling stocks and hopes are rising for trade war de-escalation. But anxieties remain about volatile policymaking in Washington....
Easing Trade Tensions, Earnings Nudge Asian Stock Markets Higher
Easing Trade Tensions, Earnings Nudge Asian Stock Markets Higher
May 25, 2025
06:40 AM EDT, 04/29/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets were mostly higher Tuesday as trade jitters eased and investors noted earnings season results. Hong Kong gained ground, Shanghai edged back, and Tokyo was closed on holiday. Other regional exchanges were mixed on the upside. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index finished up 0.2% as investors looked for signs...
Earnings, Trade Issues Pressure Wall Street Pre-Bell; Asia, Europe Up
Earnings, Trade Issues Pressure Wall Street Pre-Bell; Asia, Europe Up
May 25, 2025
07:26 AM EDT, 04/29/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Wall Street futures pointed moderately lower pre-bell Tuesday as traders weighed earnings season results, and awaited clarity on China-US trade relations, and other tariff issues. Import levies on certain imported automobile components will be adjusted, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Monday. In the futures, the S&P 500 fell 0.3%, the Nasdaq...
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved