WASHINGTON: Oil prices slipped in Asian trade on Friday but were on track for a fifth straight week of gains following strong economic data in the US, and on speculation over Chinese stimulus measures and output cuts from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known as OPEC+, according to Reuters.
Brent crude fell 29 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $83.95 a barrel by 9:00 a.m. Saudi time, but was on track for a weekly 3.6 percent increase. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 27 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $79.82 a barrel, but were heading for a 3.6 percent weekly increase.
Oil rose in the previous session as strong earnings reports and data showing the US economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter eased fears of a global slowdown.
US second quarter gross domestic product grew at 2.4 percent, beating the 1.8 percent consensus, the Commerce Department said Thursday, supporting Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s view that the economy can achieve a so-called “soft landing.”
The prospect of further Chinese stimulus measures, particularly in the embattled property sector, has also provided some support to prices, following a meeting of the Politburo — a top decision making body — on Tuesday.
“Recent US 2Q GDP numbers and other economic data (provide) further validation for soft landing hopes and (paint) a much brighter demand outlook for oil,” said Jun Rong Yeap, a market strategist at IG in Singapore.
Markets are also looking to the next market monitoring committee meeting OPEC+, on Aug. 4 for announcements on the continuation of voluntary output cuts.
“We continue to see upside to oil prices through 3Q23, and expect pricing sustained above $90/bbl (Brent) would likely be required to see a loosening in OPEC or Saudi Arabia’s voluntary crude supply cuts,” said Baden Moore, head of commodity and carbon strategy at National Australia Bank.
However, recent interest rate increases from global central banks seeking to tame stubborn inflation have nonetheless raised questions about long term demand.
On Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve implemented another 25 basis point interest rate hike as widely expected, and the European Central Bank followed suit on Thursday.
“It does seems like oil prices are facing some pressure from the broader risk environment,” said IG’s Yeap, commenting on recent speculation around monetary policy moves.
Earlier this week oil fell after data showed US crude inventories fell less than expected.
“We are still not seeing much translation to increased product demand especially within the distillates that have been providing much of the upside lead of the past month,” said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates LLC in Galena, Illinois.
