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OIL: Crude Supported By China Data, Heading For December Rise

OIL

Oil prices have continued to move higher during APAC trading today and look set to finish December higher. They were boosted yesterday by forecasts for colder weather in the US and Europe, which also drove natural gas prices higher. Brent is up 0.5% to $74.38/bbl after a high of $74.59 earlier, and WTI is also 0.5% higher at $71.36/bbl after reaching $71.60. The USD index is down around 0.1%.

  • Brent is currently up 4% in December, while WTI is 5.5% higher. Both benchmarks are likely to be little changed over the year with Brent currently up 0.3% and WTI +2.6%.
  • Oil prices have found support from China’s manufacturing PMI remaining above 50 in December even though it was down 0.2 points and slightly lower than expected. The composite rose to 52.2 from 50.8 driven by non-manufacturing. Oil markets have been concerned about the strength of China’s demand for some time and are watching closely for any impact from policy stimulus.
  • The supply outlook remains unclear but a market surplus is expected for 2025. US industry-based inventory data is published later today. There have been crude drawdowns but gasoline stocks have continued to build.
  • Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden and Norway have holidays, the UK closes at 12:30 and France at 14:05.
  • US October house price data and December Dallas Fed print later. 
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Oil prices have continued to move higher during APAC trading today and look set to finish December higher. They were boosted yesterday by forecasts for colder weather in the US and Europe, which also drove natural gas prices higher. Brent is up 0.5% to $74.38/bbl after a high of $74.59 earlier, and WTI is also 0.5% higher at $71.36/bbl after reaching $71.60. The USD index is down around 0.1%.

  • Brent is currently up 4% in December, while WTI is 5.5% higher. Both benchmarks are likely to be little changed over the year with Brent currently up 0.3% and WTI +2.6%.
  • Oil prices have found support from China’s manufacturing PMI remaining above 50 in December even though it was down 0.2 points and slightly lower than expected. The composite rose to 52.2 from 50.8 driven by non-manufacturing. Oil markets have been concerned about the strength of China’s demand for some time and are watching closely for any impact from policy stimulus.
  • The supply outlook remains unclear but a market surplus is expected for 2025. US industry-based inventory data is published later today. There have been crude drawdowns but gasoline stocks have continued to build.
  • Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden and Norway have holidays, the UK closes at 12:30 and France at 14:05.
  • US October house price data and December Dallas Fed print later.