Oil prices slide 2% as dollar firms and central banks hike interest rates

OIL prices slid about 2 per cent on Thursday (Dec 15) as traders worried about the fuel demand outlook due to a stronger dollar and further interest rate hikes by global central banks.

After rising for three straight days, Brent futures fell US$1.49, or 1.8 per cent, to settle at US$81.21 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell US$1.17, or 1.5 per cent, to settle at US$76.11.

“Crude prices edged lower as... global recession risks increased after a wave of central banks delivered another strong round of tightening. Oil’s recent rally (ran) out of steam as risk aversion runs wild,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at data and analytics firm Oanda.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday the US central bank will raise interest rates further next year, even as the economy slips toward a possible recession. On Thursday, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank raised interest rates to fight inflation.

US stock indexes fell sharply as the Federal Reserve’s guidance for protracted policy tightening quelled hopes the rate-hike cycle would end anytime soon.

“The oil price is under pressure today as the Fed’s hawkish guidance for its monetary policy sparked renewed concerns about economic growth, lifting the US dollar and sending commodity prices down,” said CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng.

A stronger US dollar makes oil more expensive for those using other currencies.

US retail sales fell more than expected in November, but consumer spending remains supported by a tight labour market, with the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits decreasing by the most in five months last week.

In China, the world’s second-biggest economy lost more steam in November as factory output slowed and retail sales extended declines, the worst readings in six months, hobbled by surging Covid-19 cases and widespread virus curbs.

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Also pressuring oil prices, Canada’s TC Energy said it was resuming operations in a section of its Keystone pipeline, a week after a leak of more than 14,000 barrels of oil in Kansas triggered a shutdown. REUTERS