OPEC International Seminar to Tackle Market Stability Amid Growing Challenges

The OPEC logo is seen at the entrance to the organization headquarters. (Reuters)
The OPEC logo is seen at the entrance to the organization headquarters. (Reuters)
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OPEC International Seminar to Tackle Market Stability Amid Growing Challenges

The OPEC logo is seen at the entrance to the organization headquarters. (Reuters)
The OPEC logo is seen at the entrance to the organization headquarters. (Reuters)

The OPEC+ energy ministers are scheduled to meet with oil industry CEOs at the 8th OPEC International Seminar to discuss global energy security, plans for energy transition, and investment challenges facing the sector.

OPEC Secretary-General Haitham al-Ghais said the International Seminar "Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Transition" has an outstanding record for both the caliber of participants and the high level of discussions that take place on the leading issues affecting the energy sector, especially at this critical time in the global industry.

"We are looking forward to welcoming all our guests to Vienna for what will be a truly memorable and informative event," he added.

The global energy sector is going through several challenges, most notably the sustainability of supplies with plans by some countries to abandon fossil fuels, which could lead to a decline in supply.

Global economic slowdown looms on the horizon due to adverse financial data from China, the world's second-largest economy and the world's largest energy consumer.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said OPEC and OPEC+ are seeking to balance oil markets to ensure energy security.

UAE Minister of Energy, Suhail al-Mazrouei said OPEC and its allies in OPEC+ always strive to ensure a balance in market fundamentals between supply and demand to avoid an accumulation in global oil inventories that could lead to instability and speculative activities in international markets.

In a statement to the UAE's state news agency WAM ahead of the OPEC seminar, Mazrouei stated that OPEC's technical team constantly monitors variables in global oil markets and presents its recommendations to the ministerial committee to make appropriate decisions, which can help improve market stability and drive sustainable growth.

The Seminar is an important global platform for forecasting and shaping the future of the worldwide energy sector, with the participation of oil-producing and consuming countries, energy sector leaders, and experts from around the world, he added.

The minister noted that it would contribute to a fair and realistic energy transition towards a more sustainable future and ensure reliable energy supplies by utilizing the latest tech solutions in this vital sector.

Saudi Arabia said it would extend its voluntary oil output cut of one million barrels per day (bpd) for another month to include August, adding that the amount could be extended beyond that month.

It is part of precautionary measures that could limit fluctuations and boost OPEC+ efforts in supporting and stabilizing the markets amid pessimistic global economic data.

The US Federal Reserve expects the rate hike to continue, and OPEC expects an increase in global energy demand to 110 million barrels per day and that total energy demand will increase by 23 percent by 2045.



Gold Eyes Best Quarter in over Eight Years

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Gold Eyes Best Quarter in over Eight Years

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold halted its record run on Friday but remained on track for its best quarter since 2016 after a rally catalysed by an outsized US Federal Reserve interest rate cut, while markets braced themselves for a crucial inflation report due later in the day.

Spot gold was down 0.1% at $2,666.50 per ounce as of 1115 GMT, below the all-time peak of $2,685.42 hit in the previous session. It is heading for its best quarter since the first three months of 2016.

US gold futures fell 0.2% to $2,688.90, Reuters reported.

"The market at this point in time has priced in all the good news and there's also some hesitancy from fresh buyers to get involved at these record high levels," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

Bullion has risen 29% so far this year, hitting successive record peaks after last week's half-percentage-point cut by the Federal Reserve and the stimulus measures announced by China earlier this week.

Silver prices surged, tracking bullion's strong performance, though some analysts warn that the rally may fade.

"Overall, industrial demand is still supportive for silver. But we need to have a stronger economic performance in China as well as in other developed countries," said ANZ commodity strategist Soni Kumari.

The surge in silver prices is more a spillover impact from gold, Kumari said.

Spot silver eased 0.1% to $31.98 per ounce, after hitting its highest since December 2012 at $32.71 on Thursday. It is set for a third straight week of gains.

"I do believe silver will continue to outperform gold. But as we all know, wherever gold goes, silver tends to go, but faster," Hansen added.

Both gold and silver serve as safe-haven investments, but the latter has more industrial applications, so tends to underperform during recessions and outperform when economies expand.

Inflows into gold exchange-traded funds, particularly from Western investors, are set to rise in coming months, adding yet more positive stimulus for already record high bullion prices. Some banks expect gold to rise towards $3,000.

In other metals, platinum was up 0.5% at $1,012.40 but palladium fell nearly 1.5% to $1,031.75.