Commodity Snapshot shows Oil prices fell due to OPEC+’s fourth quarter voluntary cuts, while gold prices remained steady against a firmer dollar. Crude oil has experienced a 5% drop since last Friday.
UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo suggests that OPEC+ meeting and option market factors contributed to oil prices’ drop, with volatility expected in the near term. He predicts renewed inventory draws and a positive outlook for crude prices.
Financial institutions sold downside protection instruments to oil market players to offset price risks, potentially amplifying the rout as prices fell below protection threshold.
Gold, silver, and palladium increased in the precious metals market, but were halted by a stronger dollar. Investors await further economic data, which bolstered Fed rate cuts this year. LME copper prices settled 2% lower, citing bearish China indicators.
Energy
Crude oil (CL1:COM) +0.11% to $73.33.
Natural Gas (NG1:COM) +1.79% to $2.63.
Metals
Palladium (XPDUSD:CUR) +0.89% to $911.50.
Platinum (XPTUSD:CUR) -0.12% to $996.30.
Gold (XAUUSD:CUR) +0.14% to $2,332.03.
Agriculture
Corn (C_1:COM) -0.36% to $440.89.
Wheat (W_1:COM) +0.03% to $658.46.
Soybeans (S_1:COM) +0.13% to $1,181.86.
Must read book about investing – check here Commodity Snapshot Commodity Snapshot Commodity SnapshotCommodity Snapshot European natural gas futures reached a two-week high of €31/MWh Commodity Snapshotdue to geopolitical tensions and supply disruption fears. Gas-fired power generation remains more profitable for utilities than coal-fired power.
European natural gas futures reached a two-week high of €31/MWh due to geopolitical tensions and supply disruption fears. Gas-fired power generation remains more profitable for utilities than coal-fired power.
Gold prices are expected to gain for the first time since October due to the US Federal Reserve’s anticipated interest rate cut in June. The Reserve Bank of India’s gold holding increased to 812.3 tonnes in January, from 803.58 tonnes in December 2023. However, Commerzbank sees limited upside potential due to the mystery surrounding the price increase. It is unlikely that gold prices will fall back to February levels, as the Fed is expected to cut interest rates in June.
Spot gold was trading -0.3% lower at $2,176.89 an ounce as markets awaited the release of U.S. CPI data, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s policy path. A hotter-than-expected reading could delay the central bank’s easing cycle. Low interest rates help bullion by reducing the opportunity cost of holding the zero-yielding asset. A mixed tone prevailed across commodity sectors, with China’s economic growth concerns affecting bulks and supply concerns supporting industrial metals.
Natural gas and crude oil prices were trading in the green, while oil prices fell earlier due to persistent demand concerns in China. NS Trading president Hiroyuki Kikukawa said that concerns over weak demand in China outweighed the extension of supply cuts by OPEC+. Mixed US jobs data prompted some traders to adjust positions. However, losses will be capped by increased geopolitical risk, with the possibility of a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel war and conflict expansion in Russia and its neighbors. Europe remains the most impacted region, as oil product shipments from Asia have fallen since January. OPEC+’s voluntary production cut agreement could tighten the market as demand recovers from its seasonal lull.
Natural gas and crude oil prices were trading in the green, while oil prices fell earlier due to persistent demand concerns in China. NS Trading president Hiroyuki Kikukawa said that concerns over weak demand in China outweighed the extension of supply cuts by OPEC+. Mixed US jobs data prompted some traders to adjust positions. However, losses will be capped by increased geopolitical risk, with the possibility of a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel war and conflict expansion in Russia and its neighbors. Europe remains the most impacted region, as oil product shipments from Asia have fallen since January. OPEC+’s voluntary production cut agreement could tighten the market as demand recovers from its seasonal lull.