Share

Oil prices down in Asian trade

Singapore - Oil prices fell in Asian trade on Tuesday following a sharp rise the day before while investors await the release of key economic data this week, analysts said.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for November delivery was down 22 cents at $94.35 a barrel and Brent crude dropped 16c to $97.04.

WTI climbed $1.03 in US trade on Monday, while Brent was up 20c ahead of a fresh round of results they hope will confirm the US economic recovery is well on track.

The US Conference Board is due to release a report on consumer confidence for September on Tuesday, while the US Labour Department's take on the jobs situation will be out on Friday.

On Wednesday, the US Energy Department unveils its weekly oil inventory report, which is closely watched for an indication of the level of demand in the world's top oil consuming nation.

"The Conference Board's measure of consumer confidence reached a new seven-year high of 92.4 last month, and we see no reason why the index should not rise further in September," research house Capital Economics said in a market commentary.

"The key determinants of confidence have all improved," it said, adding it expects the September index to come in around 93.5.

Consumer spending is the main engine for the US economy, the world's biggest and a key driver for global growth.

Capital Economics also said the recent decline in world oil prices "mainly reflects improving supply conditions" and "as such it should provide a modest boost to global demand".

The drivers for the ample global oil supplies include "increased US shale output, relief that geopolitical problems have not disrupted supply and expectations that output in Iran and Libya will recover", it added.
 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.10
+0.1%
Rand - Pound
23.78
+0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.44
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.45
-0.4%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.1%
Platinum
920.70
+0.1%
Palladium
1,032.00
+0.6%
Gold
2,328.25
+0.3%
Silver
27.41
+0.4%
Brent-ruolie
88.42
+1.6%
Top 40
68,051
0.0%
All Share
74,011
0.0%
Resource 10
59,613
0.0%
Industrial 25
102,806
0.0%
Financial 15
15,897
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders