Oil Gains on Rosier Outlook for Global Economy, Fuel Demand

An oil pump is seen at sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France April 23, 2018. REUTERS//File Photo
An oil pump is seen at sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France April 23, 2018. REUTERS//File Photo
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Oil Gains on Rosier Outlook for Global Economy, Fuel Demand

An oil pump is seen at sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France April 23, 2018. REUTERS//File Photo
An oil pump is seen at sunset outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France April 23, 2018. REUTERS//File Photo

Oil prices rose for a third session on Tuesday as the passage of a US infrastructure bill, Chinese exports and the global post-pandemic recovery lifted the outlook for fuel demand.

Brent crude was up 8 cents at $83.51 a barrel by 0220 GMT, after gaining 0.8% on Monday. US oil was up 10 cents at $82.03, also after a 0.8% gain the previous day.

US President Joe Biden's long-delayed $1 trillion infrastructure bill - which passed through Congress at the weekend - and better-than-expected Chinese exports helped paint a picture of a more expansive global economy.

"More consumption growth lies in wait once travel begins in earnest and jet fuel demand picks up," JPMorgan Chase commodities analysts said in a note.

The US bank also said global demand for oil in November was already nearly back to pre-pandemic levels of 100 million barrels per day (bpd).

But as major producers maintained strict supply discipline in October, oil prices rose to seven-year highs, with fuel values also rising.

Biden, though, may take measures as early as this week to address soaring gasoline prices, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Monday.

"He's certainly looking at what options he has in the limited range of tools a president might have to address the cost of gasoline at the pump, because it is a global market," Granholm told MSNBC in an interview.

Despite the tighter market, US crude inventories are expected to have risen a third straight week, a Reuters polls showed, possibly helping to cap further gains.



Gold Falls as Easing US-China Tensions Curb Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo
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Gold Falls as Easing US-China Tensions Curb Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo

Gold retreated on Monday as easing US-China trade tensions boosted investors' risk appetite and dented demand for safe-haven assets such as bullion, while a stronger dollar also piled on the pressure.

Spot gold was down 0.8% at $3,292.43 an ounce, as of 0431 GMT. Bullion hit a record high of $3,500.05 on April 22.

US gold futures rose 0.2% to $3,303.70.

The dollar rose 0.2% against a basket of currencies, making bullion more expensive for overseas buyers, Reuters reported.

"It's probably fair to say that financial markets and risk-assets in particular are feeling slightly better about the tariff picture now compared to the frantic first week in April," KCM Trade Chief Market Analyst Tim Waterer said.

"Comments last week from the White House have fueled optimism that a US-China trade deal may eventuate, which has caused safe-haven demand for assets such as gold to subside."

US President Donald Trump has said talks on tariffs were taking place with China.

The Trump administration signaled openness last week to de-escalating a trade war between the world's two largest economies that has raised fears of recession.

On Friday, China exempted some US imports from its steep tariffs, though China quickly knocked down Trump's assertion that negotiations were underway.

Gold, traditionally seen as a hedge against economic and political uncertainties, thrives in a low interest rate environment.

Meanwhile, many participants in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings said Trump's administration was still conflicted in its demands from trading partners hit with his sweeping tariffs.

Key data releases this week include the US job openings report on Tuesday, Personal Consumption Expenditures on Wednesday, and the non-farm payrolls report on Friday. These reports may provide more insight into the Federal Reserve's monetary policy outlook.

Spot silver dropped 0.6% to $32.88 an ounce, platinum eased 0.2% at $969.73 and palladium lost 0.6% to $943.28.