Oil up as hopes of OPEC cut, stimulus counter virus gloom

03/02/2020

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CNBC

Oil prices rose on Monday, reversing an earlier fall to multi-year lows as hopes of a deeper cut in output by OPEC and stimulus from central banks countered worries about damage to demand from the coronavirus outbreak.

Brent crude gained 2.7%, or $1.34, to trde at $51.05 per barrel, having earlier hit its lowest since July 2017 at $48.40.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained $1.43, or 3.2%, to trade at $46.22 per barrel.

It was the first gain for both benchmarks after six sessions of losses triggered by coronavirus worries. The virus, which originated in China, has killed nearly 3,000 people and roiled global markets as investors brace for a steep knock to world growth.

Equities underwent their biggest rout since the 2008 financial crisis last week although European and Asian shares steadied on Monday.

The scale of losses last week led financial markets to price in policy responses from the U.S. Federal Reserve to the Bank of Japan, which indicated on Monday it would take necessary steps to stabilize financial markets.

“The comments of Russian President Vladimir Putin, that Russia will keep cooperating with OPEC and its allies, is also helping ahead of the important oil producer meetings at the end of this week,” UBS oil analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

Data released over the weekend by China, the world’s top energy consumer, dragged on oil prices earlier in the session.

Factory activity in the country shrank at the fastest pace ever in February, underscoring the colossal damage from the cornoavirus outbreak on its economy. .

However, several key members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are mulling an additional production cut in the second quarter with fears the virus outbreak will erode oil demand. The previous proposal was for an additional output cut of 600,000 bpd.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday that Moscow is evaluating the smaller oil production cut proposal made by OPEC+, adding it had not received a proposal for deeper cuts.

 

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