Oil Heads for Weekly Drop as Dollar Strenghtens on Fed Outlook
Oil headed for a weekly decline as a strengthening US dollar pressured prices.
West Texas Intermediate fell toward $69 a barrel, and is down more than 2% this week, while Brent crude closed below $73. The dollar has strengthened since the Federal Reserve signaled fewer interest-rate cuts next year on Wednesday, making commodities more expensive for many buyers.
Crude is headed for a modest yearly decline, after trading in the narrowest annual range since 2019. Prices have been buffeted by the prospect of tougher sanctions on Iran and Russia, Donald Trump’s imminent return to the Oval Office, and concerns of increased global production, mainly from the Americas.
Meanwhile, China’s biggest refiner said Thursday the nation’s gasoline demand peaked last year, adding to an already-weak outlook for demand in the top crude importer.
WTI for February delivery fell 0.2% to $69.23 a barrel at 7:31 a.m. in Singapore.
Brent for February settlement closed 0.7% lower at $72.88 a barrel.
Source : Bloomberg
