Crude oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, June 11, after the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) stuck to its forecast for relatively strong growth in global oil demand in 2024. Investors waited for the outcome of the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision, due on Wednesday, June 12, as it may impact the oil demand outlook.
Brent crude futures rose 49 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to $82.11 a barrel, continuing a sharp recovery since closing at $77.52 last week. That close level was the lowest since February and came amid concerns of oversupply and low demand through the rest of 2024.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 41 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to $78.15. Coming to domestic prices, crude oil futures last traded 0.76 per cent higher at ₹6,535 per barrel on the multi-commodity exchange (MCX).
What’s working for crude oil prices?
OPEC maintained its 2024 forecast for relatively strong growth in global oil demand despite lower-than-expected use in the first quarter. It said travel and tourism would support consumption in the second half of the year. Earlier this month, OPEC and allies (OPEC+) agreed to extend most of its deep oil output cuts well into 2025.
“We’re now at least considering the idea that maybe demand will pick up in the second half, and the market may actually need some additional OPEC supply,” said Tim Evans, an independent energy analyst.
Meanwhile, the World Bank on Tuesday said the U.S. economy’s stronger-than-expected performance has prompted it to lift its 2024 global growth outlook slightly, but warned that overall output would remain well below pre-pandemic levels through 2026.
Mostly strong U.S. economic data and inflation still higher than the Fed’s target have pushed financial markets to limit rate cut expectations to only two 25-basis points rate reductions this year, likely starting in September. Economists have said there was a considerable risk of only one or no rate cuts in 2024.
The release of U.S. consumer prices data for May and the conclusion of the Fed’s two-day policy meeting are both scheduled for Wednesday.
The European Central Bank should persist in restraining economic growth given the ample inflationary pressures and wait with its next rate cut until uncertainty recedes, ECB chief economist Philip Lane said on Tuesday.
Traders were also cautious ahead of the release of macroeconomic data from China on Wednesday.
“The potential adverse macro driver for oil prices will be China’s inflation data,” said OANDA analyst Kelvin Wong.
If China’s Producer Price Index falls by 2% or more year on year, Wong said, it would suggest that the deflationary risk spiral remains entrenched in China, which could result in lower demand for oil.
Deflation can stifle spending as businesses and consumers delay purchases with the expectation that prices will fall, hitting economic activity and dampening oil demand.
-Saudi crude exports to China fell for a third straight month, pressuring prices further. US crude oil stockpiles were expected to have fallen by 1.8 million barrels in the week to June 7, a preliminary Reuters poll showed. Data from industry group American Petroleum Institute is due later on Tuesday.
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