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Oil prices fall, weighed down by dollar, China lockdowns
Global Banking & Finance Review®
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By Shadia Nasralla
LONDON (Reuters) – Oil prices slipped on Monday alongside equities and weighed down by a strong dollar and demand concerns on the back of continued coronavirus lockdowns in China, the world top oil importer.
Brent crude fell $2.27, or 2%, to $110.12 a barrel by 1222 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $107.38a barrel, down $2.39, or 2.2%. Both contracts have gained over 40% so far this year.
The dollar hitting a fresh two-decade high made oil more expensive for holders of other currencies. [MKTS/GLOB]
Global financial markets have been spooked by concerns over interest rate hikes and recession worries as tighter and wider COVID-19 lockdowns in China led to slower export growth in the world’s No. 2 economy in April.
“The full extent of Chinese oil demand destruction has yet to be felt,” said PVM analyst Stephen Brennock, adding he expected oil demand forecasts from the International Energy Agency and others to be revised down in upcoming data releases.
Crude imports by China fell 4.8% in the first four months compared with last year, but included a nearly 7% rise in April.
On the supply side, Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, lowered crude prices for Asia and Europe for June.
In Russia, oil output rose in early May from April and production has stabilised, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak was cited as saying, after output fell in April in the wake of Western sanctions imposed over the Ukraine crisis.
EU RUSSIA OIL EMBARGO
Last week, the European Commission proposed a phased embargo on Russian oil, boosting Brent and WTI prices for the second straight week. However, the proposal requires a unanimous vote among EU members this week, which has yet to transpire.
The EU proposal was followed by a pledge by G7 nations on Sunday to ban or phase out Russian oil imports. Washington also imposed new sanctions.
Japan, part of G7 and one of the world’s top five crude importers, will ban Russian crude imports “in principle”, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, adding this would take time.
(Additional reporting by Florence Tan; editing by David Evans)
Brent crude is a major trading classification of crude oil originating from the North Sea. It serves as a benchmark for oil prices globally.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is a grade of crude oil used as a benchmark in oil pricing. It is sourced from the U.S. and is known for its light and sweet characteristics.
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