Oil prices were volatile on Monday, with WTI price collapsing to the $76.0 per barrel level, before paring losses and climbing back to $80.5 per barrel. If the WTI price declines, it may encounter support near $76.5 per barrel, while resistance can be found at $90.3 per barrel and further up at $93.4 per barrel.
Unsubstantiated rumors that OPEC planned an oil hike, caused oil prices to plummet early on Monday. OPEC+ members were reportedly considering an increase of up to half a million barrels a day for January. Saudi Arabian officials denied the news, however, causing oil prices to recover quickly.
On Monday, reports that China has increased Covid measures, fuelled global recession concerns pushing oil prices down. Chinese authorities had to lock down Guangzhou’s largest center, while schools in Beijing closed. The country continues to grapple with rising Covid cases, with heavy restrictions impacting economic output. Beijing and other major Chinese cities have reported record coronavirus cases, dashing expectations of ending lockdowns. Health authorities in China seem committed to keeping strict lockdowns and quarantines in place for the time being. The uncertainty over oil demand in China has influenced oil prices considerably as China is the world’s largest energy importer and zero-Covid restrictions severely limit oil demand.
Concerns of political uncertainty in the US have caused market turmoil, putting pressure on oil prices. Concerns that political instability may tip the country into recession, reducing oil demand, have sent oil prices plummeting. The results of the elections were close, with the votes being tallied for a week. Republicans eventually wrested control of the House from the Democrats, winning the elections with a narrow majority.
October’s US inflation print came below expectations, bringing the dollar down last week. Cooling US inflation has reduced Fed rate hike odds, diminishing global recession concerns. Market expectations of future rate hikes were considerably trimmed after the CPI inflation report the week before and were further diminished after Tuesday’s PPI inflation print. Aggressive rate hikes stifle economic activity, undercutting oil demand and putting pressure on oil prices.
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.
Written by:
Myrsini Giannouli
industry presence
as a Liquidity Provider
and reliable execution
client funds
customer support
Fill in the registration
form and click
"Create account".
Once you are in the client secure area, please proceed with uploading your Proof of Identity and Proof of Residence.
When your live account is approved, you can deposit funds and start trading on your chosen platform!