Oil up 1% on economic hope; virus fears check price gains

[NEW YORK] Oil prices rose 1 per cent on Monday as global equities rallied on hopes for another US stimulus package, but rising virus cases fed concerns about fuel demand and kept oil futures from moving higher.

Brent crude settled at US$42.43 a barrel, up 51 cents, or 1.22 per cent. US West Texas Intermediate settled at US$40.60 a barrel, rising 35 cents, or 0.87 per cent.

"In my opinion, the most likely event capable of moving the crude oil market to the next level would be the passing of a coronavirus stimulus package," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho.

Oil followed Wall Street higher as American political talks continued for another Covid-19 relief bill after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday said she thought a deal could be reached with the White House.

A weaker US dollar, which moves inversely with oil prices, also helped crude futures.

Still, the global health crisis, which has slashed global fuel consumption, kept oil prices from pushing much higher.

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"The speed with which the virus is spreading is the main concern for both health officials and financial investors," said PVM analyst Tamas Varga.

Some Midwest US states have seen a 25 per cent jump in positive Covid-19 test rates, and the number of new infections nationwide has grown to 46,000 on average each day compared with 35,000 daily two weeks ago.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said the global oil market had been stable for the past few months, but warned of the risks of a second wave of Covid-19 cases.

Despite efforts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to limit output, more crude is being exported from Opec producers Iran and Libya.

Opec secretary-general Mohammad Barkindo said on Sunday that commercial oil inventories in OECD countries should stand only slightly above the five-year average in the first quarter of 2021, then fall for the rest of the year.

Meanwhile, one of the heaviest clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan since 2016 broke out over the weekend, reigniting concern about stability in the South Caucasus, a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and gas to world markets.

REUTERS