Oil Prices Slide as Tepid Chinese Demand Counters US Output Concerns

This photoraph shows an oil well in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on July 23, 2024. (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV / AFP)
This photoraph shows an oil well in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on July 23, 2024. (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV / AFP)
TT

Oil Prices Slide as Tepid Chinese Demand Counters US Output Concerns

This photoraph shows an oil well in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on July 23, 2024. (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV / AFP)
This photoraph shows an oil well in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on July 23, 2024. (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV / AFP)

Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday, as fears of weaker demand in China weighed on market sentiment, while focus turned to the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting that concludes on Wednesday.

Providing a floor to prices were prospects of lower US crude stockpiles and concerns over US production in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine.

Brent crude futures for November were down 48 cents, or 0.66% to $72.27 a barrel, as of 1002 GMT. US crude futures for October slipped 37 cents, or 0.53%, to $69.72 a barrel, Reuters reported.

"Oil prices have been in recovery mode since Wednesday, perhaps on supply concerns after Hurricane Francine in the US Gulf of Mexico, as well as expectations of lower US crude stockpiles," said Charalampos Pissouros, senior investment analyst at brokerage XM.

"That said, prices are pulling back today, perhaps as participants considered the aforementioned developments as temporary variables in the oil equation, remaining worried about weakening global demand, especially in China."

In China, oil refinery output fell for a fifth month in August amid declining fuel demand and weak export margins, government data showed on Saturday.

Both contracts settled higher in the previous session as output remained constrained. More than 12% of crude production and 16% of natural gas output in the US Gulf of Mexico remained offline due to Hurricane Francine, according to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on Monday.

The Fed is expected to start its easing cycle on Wednesday, with Fed funds futures showing markets are now pricing in a 69% chance that the US central bank will cut rates by 50 basis points.

"The Fed is expected to lower interest rates for the first time in more than four years this week ... but recent weak economic data and hawkish comments by members of the Fed have led investors to believe the move could be more aggressive," Panmure Liberum analyst Ashley Kelty said.

A lower interest rate will reduce the cost of borrowing and can potentially lift oil demand by supporting economic growth.
Investors were also watching out for an expected drop in US crude inventories, which likely fell by about 200,000 barrels in the week ended Sept. 13, based on a Reuters poll. 



Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign MoU on Cooperation in Economic Planning

Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign MoU on Cooperation in Economic Planning
TT

Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign MoU on Cooperation in Economic Planning

Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign MoU on Cooperation in Economic Planning

The Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning and Oman's Ministry of Economy signed on Thursday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) focusing on cooperation in medium- and long-term economic planning, economic studies and modeling, economic policies and plans, and green and circular economies.
The MoU aims to implement cooperation through the exchange of information, expertise, studies, and visits between experts and specialists, as well as the organization of conferences, seminars, and workshops. The agreement will remain in effect for five years.
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim and Omani Minister of Economy Dr. Saeed bin Mohammed Al-Saqri signed the MoU, which stipulates enhancing cooperation in economy and planning based on mutual interests and in accordance with the regulations and laws in both countries.
Signing the MoU is part of efforts to enhance cooperation among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and boost bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Oman.