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Oil settles higher as debt talks continue
Source: Agencies |
July 21, 2011, Thursday
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CRUDE oil futures zig-zagged to settle moderately higher yesterday as talks continued over debt issues in Europe and the US that could affect future demand.
Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery rose 54 cents to settle at US$98.40 a barrel yesterday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The August contract, which expired yesterday, rose 64 cents to settle at US$98.14 a barrel.
In London, Brent crude gained US$1.09 to settle at US$118.15 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.
Crude prices have been mired in a narrow range between about US$95 a barrel and US$99 a barrel this month as investors worry that the global economy will suffer if US and European leaders fail to solve their debt problems. That, in turn, could weaken demand for oil.
In the US there appeared to be growing support for a bipartisan plan to reduce the deficit ahead of an Aug. 2 deadline to raise the nation's debt ceiling. Although it's seen as unlikely, failure to raise the debt ceiling would mean the US would default on its massive debt obligations.
European leaders will meet on a plan to provide more financial aid for Greece, which teeters on the brink of default. Its debt problems threaten to spread to other troubled economies in Europe.
Oil investors are waiting for some clarity, taking their cue from movement in the dollar and stock markets, analysts say. After big gains on Tuesday, major indexes were down a little.
"There's just a lot of psychology in the market right now," energy analyst Jim Ritterbusch said. "We just have some nervous markets whether you're talking bond markets, stock markets, commodities markets. They're just waiting for definition regarding debt talks on both sides of the Atlantic."
Also yesterday the Energy Department said the US crude oil supplies fell more than analysts expected last week. Gasoline stockpiles rose, indicating ongoing tepid demand.
In other Nymex trading for August contracts, heating oil rose 2.04 cents to settle at US$3.1184 per gallon, gasoline futures gained 3.21 cents to settle at US$3.1470 per gallon. Natural gas lost 4.2 cents to settle at US$4.469 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery rose 54 cents to settle at US$98.40 a barrel yesterday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The August contract, which expired yesterday, rose 64 cents to settle at US$98.14 a barrel.
In London, Brent crude gained US$1.09 to settle at US$118.15 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.
Crude prices have been mired in a narrow range between about US$95 a barrel and US$99 a barrel this month as investors worry that the global economy will suffer if US and European leaders fail to solve their debt problems. That, in turn, could weaken demand for oil.
In the US there appeared to be growing support for a bipartisan plan to reduce the deficit ahead of an Aug. 2 deadline to raise the nation's debt ceiling. Although it's seen as unlikely, failure to raise the debt ceiling would mean the US would default on its massive debt obligations.
European leaders will meet on a plan to provide more financial aid for Greece, which teeters on the brink of default. Its debt problems threaten to spread to other troubled economies in Europe.
Oil investors are waiting for some clarity, taking their cue from movement in the dollar and stock markets, analysts say. After big gains on Tuesday, major indexes were down a little.
"There's just a lot of psychology in the market right now," energy analyst Jim Ritterbusch said. "We just have some nervous markets whether you're talking bond markets, stock markets, commodities markets. They're just waiting for definition regarding debt talks on both sides of the Atlantic."
Also yesterday the Energy Department said the US crude oil supplies fell more than analysts expected last week. Gasoline stockpiles rose, indicating ongoing tepid demand.
In other Nymex trading for August contracts, heating oil rose 2.04 cents to settle at US$3.1184 per gallon, gasoline futures gained 3.21 cents to settle at US$3.1470 per gallon. Natural gas lost 4.2 cents to settle at US$4.469 per 1,000 cubic feet.
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