Oil edges back up to US$50 a barrel from six-month low

[LONDON] Oil recovered to just above US$50 a barrel on Tuesday after touching a six-month low in the previous session, although high global production and concern over the economic outlook in China weighed on the outlook.

The bounce came after a sharp slide in commodities on Monday due to economic worries, with a key global commodities price index sinking to a 12-year low.

By 0849 GMT, Brent crude was up 57 cents at US$50.09 and US crude gained 61 cents to US$45.78. Brent fell to US$49.36 at one point on Monday, its lowest since Jan 30. "I think we will stabilise around current levels," said Olivier Jakob, head of Swiss oil consultancy Petromatrix. "You can never exclude a further correction, but I think we are in the last 5 dollars rather than the next 15 dollars." Crude has come under pressure from mounting signs of ample supply and a weakening of the demand outlook. Brent fell 18 per cent in July, while US crude's 21 per cent decline was its biggest monthly decline since the 2008 financial crisis.

Oil output from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) reached the highest monthly level in recent history in July, a Reuters survey found, and Iran's nuclear deal with world powers has raised the prospect of even more oil supply.

OPEC made a historic policy shift in November 2014, choosing to defend market share against rising output from rival producers rather than cut output to support prices. Since then, it has boosted production by more than 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) - almost 6 per cent.

The group has been counting on higher demand in the second half of 2015 and next year to mop up excess supply, but signs of a further slowing of China's economy have raised a question mark about the strength of oil demand.

Some analysts see a weak outlook for oil prices. BMI Research said a strong US dollar, China's weakening economy and the prospect of rising Iranian oil exports would keep downward pressure on the market. "A retest of Brent crude's 2015 low around US$45 per barrel looks inevitable given current ample market supply and intensifying bearish market sentiment towards prices," it said.

REUTERS