Commodities

Oil falls from two-month high as US-China trade doubts dominate

Updated : November 22, 2019 08:33 AM IST

Brent crude futures had slid 30 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $63.67 a barrel.

West Texas Intermediate crude was at $58.24 a barrel, down 34 cents or 0.6 percent.

Oil falls from two-month high as US-China trade doubts dominate

Oil prices were toppled from their highest in nearly two months on Friday by doubts over future demand for crude as uncertainty continues to shroud a potential US-China trade deal, and along with it the health of the global economy.

That was more than enough to offset news of a likely extension of production cuts among major producers that drove prices higher in the previous session on the prospect of tight crude supply.

By 0159 GMT, Brent crude futures had slid 30 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $63.67 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $58.24 a barrel, down 34 cents or 0.6 percent.

“The key factor for the demand outlook for oil is the (US-China) trade negotiation currently going on,” said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets and Stockbroking in Sydney.

“With oil near the top of recent trading ranges it’s no surprise to see a bit of selling pressure during the session today.”

Prices had touched their highest since late September on Thursday after Reuters reported that the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia are likely to extend existing production cuts by another three months to mid-2020 when they meet on Dec. 5.

Oil was also buoyed by comments from China’s commerce ministry on Thursday that it will strive to reach an initial agreement with the United States to end the pair’s long-running trade war, allaying fears that talks might be unravelling. However, the completion of a phase one deal could slide into next year.

News that last week saw the biggest drawdown in three months for US crude stock stockpiles at Cushing, Oklahoma also underpinned prices earlier this week. Cushing is the delivery point for WTI futures.

Elsewhere, traders are also keeping a keen eye on the impact on oil production at OPEC countries Iran and Iraq amid ongoing protests.

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