London
Oil prices rose on Tuesday amid signs that producers are cutting output as promised and on signs of increasing demand as more countries ease out of curbs imposed to counter the coronavirus pandemic. Benchmark Brent crude was up 42 cents or 1.2% at $35.23 a barrel by 1411 GMT.
The front-month contract for U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude, which is set to expire on Tuesday, was up $1.03, or 3.2%, at $32.85 a barrel. The July contract, which was trading at vastly higher volumes, was up 46 cents at $32.11 a barrel.
“The market sees both forces aligning: the cuts OPEC+ promised are materialising and other non-member production shut-downs are also really helping to limit the oversupply,” said Paola Rodriguez Masiu, senior oil markets analyst at Rystad Energy.
“Meanwhile, lockdown measures are removed globally and the economy needs fuel to restart.” But global demand recovery is expected to be slow as some restrictions remain and there is a significant risk of repeat outbreaks and lockdowns.
Consultants the Eurasia Group urged caution on expectations for higher oil consumption, citing “a global recession, cautious consumers, and a later and potentially worse peak of the coronavirus outbreak in emerging markets such as Latin America, Africa, and South Asia”.—Reuters
