OPEC+ Keeps Current Oil Output Policy Unchanged

A model of oil rigs in front of the OPEC logo (Reuters)
A model of oil rigs in front of the OPEC logo (Reuters)
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OPEC+ Keeps Current Oil Output Policy Unchanged

A model of oil rigs in front of the OPEC logo (Reuters)
A model of oil rigs in front of the OPEC logo (Reuters)

A meeting of top OPEC+ ministers has kept oil output policy unchanged including a plan to start raising output from December.

On Wednesday, the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) emphasized in a statement the critical importance of achieving full conformity and compensation after it reviewed the crude oil production data for the months of July and August 2024 and current market conditions.

It stated that Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Russia confirmed that they had achieved full conformity and compensation according to the schedules submitted for September.

The three countries also reiterated their strong commitment to maintaining full conformity and compensation throughout the remaining period of the agreement.

The JMMC then emphasized it will continue to monitor adherence to the production adjustments and will also continue to monitor the additional voluntary production adjustments announced by some participating OPEC and non OPEC countries.

The next meeting of the JMMC (57th) is scheduled for December 1, 2024.

The JMMC usually meets every two months and can make recommendations to change policy.

OPEC+ is currently cutting output by a total of 5.86 million barrels per day (bpd), or about 5.7% of global demand, in a series of steps agreed since late 2022.

Its latest agreement calls for OPEC+ to raise output by 180,000 bpd in December, part of a plan to gradually unwind its most recent layer of voluntary cuts during 2025. The hike was delayed from October after prices slid.

Speaking hours before the planned virtual meeting of an OPEC+ committee, United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said on Wednesday OPEC+ was doing a noble job of balancing the oil market even if does not produce the majority of oil in the world.

“OPEC+ has sacrificed more than others but the critical element is that it is staying together,” Mazrouei said at an industry event in the emirate of Fujairah.

“I would like you to imagine the world without this group. We would be in chaos,” Mazrouei said.



Gold Retreats as Dollar Firms ahead of Key US Economic Data

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Retreats as Dollar Firms ahead of Key US Economic Data

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold extended declines on Thursday, pressured by a stronger dollar, while investors were cautious ahead of key US economic data that might provide clues about the size of the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts expected later this year.

Spot gold fell 0.5% to $2,645.39 per ounce by 0812 GMT.

US gold futures edged 0.2% lower to $2,665.60.

The dollar hit a one-month high, making greenback-priced bullion more expensive for other currency holders.

Gold is consolidating at this point but prices will likely retest an all-time high of $2,685 as charts show persistent strong upward trends, said Brian Lan, managing director at Singapore-based dealer GoldSilver Central, according to Reuters.

Investors are watching out for the ISM services data and the initial jobless claims, due later in the day, along with the US non-farm payroll data expected on Friday.

Data on Wednesday showed US private payrolls increased more than expected in September - further evidence that labour market conditions were not deteriorating.

Expectations of another 50-basis-point rate cut at the Fed's November meeting have dipped, with markets currently pricing in a 36% chance, down from 49% last week, according to CME's FedWatch Tool.

Gold tends to thrive in a low interest rate environment and political turmoil.

"Middle East tensions and US elections will continue supporting bullion in the longer term... In the short-term, some funds might shift to oil from gold since oil is doing better," Lan said.

Israel bombed central Beirut, killing at least six, after its forces suffered the deadliest day on the Lebanese front in a year of clashes against Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

Perth Mint's gold product sales touched a 10-month peak in September, while silver sales hit a seven-month high.

Spot silver fell 1.2% to $31.49, platinum shed about 1% to $992.10 and palladium lost 2.2% to $992.93.