Oil Gains in Slow Year-End Trading With Focus on 2025 Risks
Oil rose in thin end-of-year trading, with investors assessing the outlook for 2025 while tracking developments in the Middle East.
West Texas Intermediate topped $70 a barrel, while Brent traded near $74. A gauge of 10-day volatility for WTI ebbed to the lowest since July.
In the Middle East, Israel struck targets in Yemen that it said were controlled by Houthis, including power stations, ports and the capital’s airport. The rebels have been menacing shipping in the Red Sea, forcing oil tankers onto longer routes around southern Africa.
Crude is on track for a modest annual loss, with trading confined in a narrow band since mid-October. There are widespread concerns the market may be oversupplied next year as China’s demand slows and global production expands, although traders remain cautious about potentially tighter US sanctions against flows from Iran under Donald Trump.
The prompt spread on West Texas Intermediate futures — with the nearby contract trading at a premium of more than 40 cents a barrel to the next in line — points to near-term supply tightness. Earlier this week, a US industry group flagged a drop in nationwide crude stockpiles. The government’s weekly inventories report is scheduled to be released later on Friday.
WTI for February delivery gained 1.0% $70.33 a barrel as of 10:02 a.m. in New York. Brent for February settlement rose 0.86% to $73.89 a barrel.
Source : Bloomberg
