Oil Extends Advance as Shrinking US Crude Stockpiles Buoy Mood

image is BloomburgMedia_SGEEDBT1UM0W00_11-07-2024_09-01-07_638562528000000000.jpg

A Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) oil pumpjack on Lake Maracaibo in Cabimas, Zulia state, Venezuela, on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. A decision by the US on Oct. 18 to ease sanctions in exchange for greater political freedom in Venezuela, has opened the doors for dealmaking and increased production that will enable the Latin American country's crude to reach global markets. Photographer: Gaby Oraa/Bloomberg

Oil climbed for a second day as signs of growing demand and a risk-on tone across broader markets combined to aid sentiment.

Global crude benchmark Brent advanced toward $86 a barrel after posting a 0.5% gain on Wednesday, with West Texas Intermediate near $83. Nationwide US stockpiles fell by 3.4 million barrels last week, with gauges of jet fuel and gasoline consumption both rising as the summer travel season continues.

Oil’s push higher came as global equities rallied, with US shares at a new high ahead of inflation data later Thursday that may fan investors’ expectations for interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

  

Crude has rallied this year, supported by OPEC+ supply cutbacks, although relatively muted moves have caused volatility to decline to six-year lows this month. While some members of the cartel are continuing to pump above agreed limits, key producer Russia made noticeable reductions in June.

“The inventory drawdown was a reflection of strong summer demand, coming partly from the surge in air travel,” and that’s driving prices for now, said Charu Chanana, market strategist for Saxo Capital Markets Pte. While hopes of an imminent Fed pivot were also fueling optimism, much still depended on the state of the US labor market as Powell has pointed to, she said.

Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights, discusses oil stocks and market prices. She speaks with Joumanna Bercetche on Horizons Middle East & Africa.Source: Bloomberg

Widely watched timespreads show signs of underlying strength. The gap between the two nearest Brent contracts, or prompt spread, was 88 cents a barrel in a bullish, backwardated structure, with the front-month contract at a premium to the subsequent month. That compares with 38 cents a month ago.

Traders will be watching for a monthly market snapshot from the International Energy Agency later on Thursday for its assessment of global crude balances in this half of the year.

©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

By Yongchang Chin

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