Crude oil prices fell, yesterday, and are lower still in overnight trading. The API inventory report showed a large crude oil and gasoline build that was in contradiction with estimates. The gasoline build was particularly impressive, and the recent rally there looks to be over.… Read more
Energy OverView May 21, 2013
Crude oil prices rose modestly, yesterday, but they are back down this morning. The push-pull of the dollar is having an effect. The dollar is back on the rise, due to comments from Japan’s economy minister and lower inflation emanating from the UK (more above).… Read more
Energy OverView May 20, 2013
Crude oil prices are down modestly this morning, taking a cue from a mild pullback in equities overnight. The equity rally is helping to offset the pressure from the rising dollar on crude oil prices. The crude market is in conflict over the improving economy and the consequent energy demand growth to be expected from such a phenomenon and the downward base currency pressures.… Read more
Energy OverView May 15, 2013
Crude oil prices are under pressure from dollar strength, which is also pushing down gold and silver prices. Oil inventories in the US rose again last week, according to last night’s API inventory report. A confirming report by the EIA this morning will push oil inventories further into record territory.… Read more
Energy OverView May 14, 2013
Oil prices are lower again, this morning, after starting off the week lower, yesterday. We focused on the Chinese economic data that came out over the weekend, which showed slowing in its housing sector. Additionally, Chinese refinery runs were down again, falling to its lowest level, since September.… Read more
Energy OverView May 13, 2013
Oil prices are somewhat lower this morning, as Chinese economic data and OPEC oil output are combining to weigh on prices. Chinese home sales were down big in April, but the disappointment with regard to its industrial production should only be slight.… Read more
Energy OverView May 10, 2013
Oil prices have pulled back from the recent rally, due to a resurgent US dollar. Brent and WTI prices are being pressured lower, along with gold, as the dollar rallies. The pullback this morning comes despite a bullish outlook by OPEC for the second-half of 2013.… Read more
Energy OverView May 7, 2013
WTI Crude oil prices rose modestly, but Brent crude was up over $1.00, above $105, on the latest Middle East tensions and news that maintenance of a key part of the North pipeline system may shut down the entire system, albeit briefly.… Read more
Energy OverView May 6, 2013
Crude oil prices rallied, again, on Friday, catching the wave of exuberance from the jobs data. The clarity of the BP pipeline outage in the Gulf of Mexico also got the bulls going. Prices jumped again last night, at the start of trading, on the geopolitical influences of the weekend’s news.… Read more
Energy OverView May 3, 2013
Crude oil prices snapped back, yesterday, on infrastructure issues within the industry. Various elements affect energy prices, and sometimes they are high-level economic impacts, currency influences, and geopolitics. Lately and for the first time in a long while, infrastructure issues or real fundamentals have been the predominant focus.… Read more