Crude oil futures recorded an upward trajectory on Thursday, August 23rd, in response to reports indicating a drop in diesel inventories across Europe. Despite a slight uptick in WTI crude, prevailing concerns regarding the dollar’s strength and shifting demand patterns continued to exert pressure on the market throughout the trading day.
In this session, WTI crude futures experienced a modest rise of 16 cents, equivalent to 0.2%, ultimately settling at $79.05 per barrel. Similarly, BRENT crude futures saw an increase of 15 cents (0.2%), reaching a closing mark of $83.36 per barrel.
The resurgence in crude oil futures came on the heels of a report from Insights Global, a consulting firm based in the Netherlands. The report highlighted a significant 3% decline in diesel fuel stocks within refineries and storage facilities across the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region during the preceding week.
However, the robust performance of the dollar posed a hindrance to the otherwise positive momentum observed in crude oil futures during the day. The dollar index, which measures the dollar’s strength against a basket of six major currencies, observed a 0.55% increase, reaching a value of 103.9863. This upswing in the dollar’s value rendered crude oil contracts relatively less appealing to investors who operate in alternate currencies.
Giovani Stanovo, an esteemed analyst at UBS, noted that the reduction in diesel inventories across Europe, coupled with a slowdown in 2-year US government bond yields, lent support to the positive trajectory of crude oil futures. Despite these positive influences, market trading remained notably volatile, expected to continue fluctuating until investors attain a clearer perspective on the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) direction regarding interest rates.
Market participants are keenly focused on the upcoming speech by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, slated to take place at the Jackson Hole conference later in the year. The speech, titled “Structural Shifts in the Global Economy,” underscores this year’s thematic focus. As investors eagerly await Powell’s insights, the future trajectory of oil prices and broader market trends remain intertwined with the dynamics of the global economic landscape.
The Spot Market is Opne
Friday, August 25, 2023
| Energy Updated at | USD Price | Chnage | %Change |
| Crude Oil 07.35 | 79.01 | -0.04 | -0.05% |