Price action for November NYMEX WTI was marginally firmer yesterday, contained within a relatively narrow trading range and lower than normal volume. The price of crude oil continue to be weighed down by slowing economic growth from Asia, Europe and the US.… Read more
Energy OverView October 1, 2012
November NYMEX WTI came under pressure in the overnight session after China’s manufacturing contracted for the second month in a row. The global slowdown is denting oil demand in China, suggesting the country may face its lowest growth pace in 22 years.… Read more
Energy OverView September 28, 2012
November NYMEX WTI extended a rally off the recent break of 89.00 to as far as 92.71 in price action, so far today. The market has fallen back to 92.00, but should probably head into the week and quarter end with a firm tone.… Read more
Energy OverView September 27, 2012
Price action took November NYMEX WTI prices to their lowest level since August 3rd, before regaining about $1.00 of lost ground before settlement. Initial downward momentum can only be attributed to growing concerns regarding the European debt crisis, which sparked a safe-haven rally in the US dollar.… Read more
Energy OverView September 26, 2012
Thank you Mr. Plosser, President of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank. Your comment that conveying the idea that QE3 will have “a substantive impact on labor markets and the speed of the recovery risks the Fed’s credibility”, has driven a very important nail in the coffin of the absurd counter-intuitive thinking that drove WTI prices to over $100.00 recently.… Read more
Energy OverView September 25, 2012
November NYMEX WTI found relief near recent lows, from the pressure consequent to a rising dollar. Investors sought a measure of safety in the greenback as European policymakers stumble towards resolution of their ongoing financial and economic woes. Expectation that weekly measurements of crude oil stockpiles will show more expansion also kept buyers restrained, as well.… Read more
Energy OverView September 24, 2012
Fundamental calculus as opposed to monetary policy remained the focus as the week waned. After a dramatic break on Monday, prices seemed to regain footing by Wednesday, but overnight price action today, so far, has brought renewed selling pressure. The market has largely digested the implications of the new stimulus programs, and continuing weak macroeconomic data suggest
Energy OverView September 21, 2012
October expiration yesterday produced a rather lackluster session of retracement on the heels of the dramatic fall, earlier in the week. Head-scratching continues over Monday’s abrupt price break. A rally based on an expectation that stimulative monetary policy was going to promote aggregate demand growth and employment, where it previously has not, was doomed from the outset.… Read more
Energy OverView September 20, 2012
The recent sentiment shift sharpened its lower focus yesterday with the weekly inventory reports which were interpreted as particularly bearish due to the large build in crude oil inventories and the steep decline in distillate demand that EIA reported. There has been no shortage of talk in recent days attempting to parse this abrupt shift in sentiment.… Read more
Energy OverView September 19, 2012
Investor focus on the likely economic benefit of additional stimulus was further discredited early in the European session as crude oil prices quickly retreated from the day’s high, reached after the Bank of Japan announced that it would expand its asset purchase program by 10 trillion yen in an effort to stimulate its economy as global demand slows.… Read more