Murky oil inventory picture leaves market groping for clarity

London

THE jury is still out over whether an Opec-led (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) production cut aimed at tightening oil markets is working, or if the producer club has simply enabled higher prices without making much of a dent in the global fuel supply overhang.

Analysts say there are early indications that at least some inventories, key in gauging the health of the market, are starting to draw down. However, inventory levels are hard to judge outside of the US, as many countries do not release specific figures. Oil shipments show an ongoing excess, while price activity in oil futures suggests sagging optimism the imbalance is being corrected.