Chat with us, powered by LiveChat

Choose country & language:

Close Icon

Oil prices rally as China Covid fears ease

Home >  Daily Market Digest >  Oil prices rally as China Covid fears ease

detail_image_market
author_img

Written by:
Myrsini Giannouli

12 May 2022
Share the article

Oil prices rallied on Wednesday, with WTI climbing from $98 per barrel to $106 per barrel, testing the $106.4 per barrel resistance. If the WTI price drops, support can be found at the $94.5 per barrel level and further down at the $90 per barrel level, while further resistance can be found near $118.3 per barrel. 

Oil prices are especially volatile, as competing factors affect oil supply and demand. Stalling global economic growth and lockdowns in China dampen demand. China is the largest importer of crude oil and continuing Covid lockdowns have dampened oil demand, pushing prices down. The zero-Covid lockdown rules, especially in Shanghai, have fuelled concerns of a slowdown in the world’s biggest importer of crude. As Covid cases fall in China, however, fears of prolonged lockdown ease, driving oil prices back up. 

The crisis between Russia and Ukraine has been intensifying concerns of disruptions in oil distribution, supporting oil prices. The US has already banned all oil and gas imports from Russia, with as many as 3 million barrels per day of Russian crude oil potentially removed from the market as a result of sanctions and of boycotting of Russian oil. 

The EU has drafted a new package of Russian sanctions, including a ban on Russian oil crude imports. Even though the ban, if enforced, will likely throw the Eurozone into an energy crisis, it will likely not take effect for some time. The EU is hesitant to cut off Russian oil imports abruptly, as most EU member states are in favor of gradually weaning off Russian oil imports. EU’s Russian oil sanctions have stalled though, as some EU member states, such as Hungary and Bulgaria, oppose the ban and are threatening to veto the plan.

On Wednesday, US crude oil inventories jumped by 8.5 million barrels for the past week but failed to curtail the rise in oil prices. Last week, OPEC+ decided to raise its production output by a modest 432,000 barrels per day for next month. OPEC members responded to the plans of an EU ban on Russian oil by raising their production targets. OPEC’s announcement halted the rally of oil prices, alleviating global oil demand a little.

WTI 1hr chart

TRADE WTI

The content provided in this material and/or any other material that this content is referred to, whether it comes from a third party or not, is for information purposes only and shall not be considered as a recommendation and/or investment advice and/or investment research and/or suggestions for performing any actions with financial products or instruments, or to participate in any particular trading strategy and cannot guarantee any profits. Past performance does not constitute a reliable indicator of future results. TopFX does not represent that the material provided here is accurate, current, or complete and therefore shouldn't be relied upon as such. This material does not take into account the reader's financial situation or investment objectives. We advise any readers of this content to seek their own advice. Without the approval of TopFX, no reproduction or redistribution of the information provided herein is permitted.

author_img

Written by:
Myrsini Giannouli

Share the article:

Latest news

main_image_market

US economic growth boosts Dollar

Myrsini Giannouli 29 March 2024
main_image_market

Gold prices rise to a fresh all-time high

Myrsini Giannouli 29 March 2024

Oil prices gain strength on supply concerns

Myrsini Giannouli 29 March 2024

Bitcoin breaks through $70,000 barrier

Myrsini Giannouli 29 March 2024
Why TopFX
10-years
13+ years

industry presence
as a Liquidity Provider

Spreads
Spreads
from 0.0 pips

and reliable execution

Segregated
Segregated

client funds

First-class
First-class

customer support

Open your Live Account in 3 Steps
Step 1

Fill in the registration
form and click
"Create account".

Step 2

Once you are in the client secure area, please proceed with uploading your Proof of Identity and Proof of Residence.

Step 3

When your live account is approved, you can deposit funds and start trading on your chosen platform!

IMPORTANT

The website you are now viewing is operated by TopFX Global Ltd, an entity which is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles with a Securities Dealer License No SD037 that is not established in the European Union or regulated by an EU National Competent Authority.

If you wish to proceed please confirm that you understand and accept the risks associated with trading with a non-EU entity (as these risks are described in the Own Initiative Acknowledgment Form and that your decision will be at your own exclusive initiative and that no solicitation has been made by TopFX Global Ltd or any other entity within the Group.

Don't show this message again

Cookies on TopFX

The TopFX website uses cookies to optimise user experience.

These cookies fall under the following categories: essential, functional and marketing cookies. Marketing cookies may also include third-party cookies.

Manage Preferences

You can customize your selection of which cookies you want to accept.

  • Essential

    These cookies are necessary for the website to function correctly and cannot be switched off.

  • Functional

    Functional cookies allow the website to remember users' preferences and the choices you make on the website such as username, region, and language.

  • Marketing

    These cookies are used to track visitors across our websites and show you more relevant ads. Marketing cookies also include third-party cookies from partners. For more information relating to data protection & collection please view our Privacy Policy and Cookie Disclosure.