Oil prices stable, heading for weekly gain
Brent crude futures edged up by 4 cents, or 0.05%, to US$84.79 a barrel by 0936 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 2 cents, or 0.03%, at US$78.18
Oil prices held steady on Friday, poised to register a weekly gain as renewed optimism on China’s demand recovery overrode recession worries over growing U.S. crude inventories and tightening monetary policy in Europe.
Brent crude futures edged up by 4 cents, or 0.05%, to US$84.79 a barrel by 0936 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 2 cents, or 0.03%, at US$78.18.
Brent has risen by about 1.9% this week, while WTI is heading for a gain of 2.4%.
“Those betting on higher oil prices are basking in the afterglow of the positive macro data out of China,” said PVM analyst Stephen Brennock.
In China, activity in the services sector expanded at the fastest pace in six months in February as the removal of tough COVID-19 restrictions revived demand, a private sector survey showed on Friday.
Manufacturing activity in China also grew last month, at the fastest pace in more than a decade, reinforcing expectations of a fuel demand recovery. China’s seaborne imports of Russian oil are set to hit a record high this month.
The world’s top oil importer is becoming increasingly ambitious with its 2023 growth target, aiming as high as 6%, sources involved in policy discussions told Reuters this week.
The market broadly shrugged off a 10th consecutive week of crude stock builds in the United States, as record exports of U.S. crude kept the increase smaller than in recent weeks.
Russia’s plan to deepen oil export cuts in March also helped to buoy prices.
Meanwhile, analysts polled by Reuters expect the dollar to weaken in the next 12 months, which would make dollar-denominated oil cheaper for holders of other currencies.
Asaase Radio 99.5Â broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Beats FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Somua FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in or log on to broadcasts online: www.asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
Live streaming: facebook.com/asaaseradio99.5. Also on YouTube: Asaase Radio Official.
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand
