Oil prices steady after 7% weekly drop

admin admin | 10-21 16:20

Data on Friday had shown that China's economy grew at the slowest pace since early 2023 in the third quarter, fuelling growing concerns about oil demand.
Oil prices steadied in early trading on Monday, following a more than 7% drop last week on worries about demand in China, the world's top oil importer, and an easing of concerns about potential supply disruptions in the Middle East.

Brent crude futures rose 8 cents, or 0.11% , to USD 73.14 a barrel by 0120 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 10 cents, or 0.14% to USD 69.32 a barrel.

Brent had settled down more than 7% lower last week, while WTI lost around 8% .

That marked the contracts' biggest weekly declines since Sept. 2, on slowing economic growth in China and falling risk premiums in the Middle East. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday there was an opportunity to "deal with Israel and Iran in a way that ends the conflict for a while".

The conflict in the Middle East however intensified over the weekend as Israel on Sunday said it was preparing to attack sites in the Lebanese capital of Beirut linked to Hezbollah's financial operations.

China on Monday morning cut benchmark lending rates as anticipated, part of a broader package of stimulus measures to revive the economy.

Data on Friday had shown that China's economy grew at the slowest pace since early 2023 in the third quarter, fuelling growing concerns about oil demand.

On the supply side, last week, U.S. energy firms cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for the fourth time in five weeks, according to a closely watched report by energy services firm Baker Hughes BKR.O on Friday. The rig count dropped by one to 585.


Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.


ALSO READ

Sky-high shopping: South Korea unveils ‘flying cart’ drone for transporting goods over any terrain

SEOUL, Oct 23 — South Korean researchers have developed a transport drone flying on multiple flexibl...

tech | 2 hours ago

Africa’s best-kept secret: Mozambique rolls out 100pc homegrown premium cigars for the global market

MAPUTO (Mozambique), Oct 23 — In a small neon-lit factory in Maputo, a dozen workers are hand-rollin...

life | 2 hours ago

In South Africa, dry taps are the new reality as water crisis deepens

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 23 — Joyce Lakela runs a nursery in Tembisa, a Johannesburg township, but these da...

world | 2 hours ago

From horror to hope: Rwanda’s genocide survivors rebuild lives 30 years on

PARIS, Oct 23 — Jeanne Allaire Kayigirwa was sure she was going to die three times during the Rwanda...

world | 2 hours ago

Hyundai Motor India lists with record IPO, commits to Indian market with new tech and EV plans

As part of its effort to introduce clean mobility solutions for Indian buyers, Hyundai will launch f...

auto | 9 hours ago

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India plants over 7 lakh trees in Maharashtra for ecological restoration

Additionally, SAVWIPL has installed 18.5 MWp of rooftop solar power at its Chakan facility, which of...

auto | 9 hours ago