What US$100-a-barrel oil would mean for the world economy

Hong Kong

RISING oil prices are prompting forecasts of a return to US$100 a barrel for the first time since 2014, creating both winners and losers in the world economy. Exporters of the fuel would enjoy bumper returns, giving a fillip to companies and government coffers. By contrast, consuming nations would bear the cost at the pump, potentially fanning inflation and hurting demand.

The good news is that Bloomberg Economics found that oil at US$100 would mean less for global growth in 2018 than it did after the 2011 spike. That is partly because economies are less reliant on energy and because of the shale revolution cushioning the US.

Ultimately, much depends on why prices are pushing higher. A shock amid constrained supply is a negative, but one due to robust demand just reflects solid growth. Both forces are now in play, driving Brent crude up about 22 per cent this year.

What does it mean for global growth?

Higher oil prices would hurt household incomes and consumer spending, but the impact would vary. Europe is vulnerable given that many of the region's countries are oil importers. China is the world's biggest importer of oil and could expect an uptick in inflation. There are also seasonal effects to consider, with winter looming in the northern hemisphere. Consumers can switch energy sources to keep costs down, such as biofuels or natural gas, although not quickly. Indonesia already has instituted measures to push for more use of biofuels and limit the economy's reliance on imported fuel. For a sustained hit to global growth, economists say that oil would need to hold above US$100. The US dollar's gain of this year does not help though, given that crude is priced in greenbacks.

How can the world economy absorb oil at US$100?

Bloomberg Economics found that US$100 oil will do more harm than good to global growth. Yet there are important differences in the condition of the world economy today compared with 2011. "The shale revolution, lower energy intensity and higher general price levels mean the impact will be smaller than it once was," economists led by Jamie Murray wrote in a recent report. "The price of a barrel will have to go much higher before global growth slips on an oil slick."

How will Iran and Trump impact the market?

Geopolitics remains a wild card. Renewed US sanctions on Iran are already crimping the Middle East nation's oil exports. While US President Donald Trump is pressuring the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) to pump more, there is limited spare production capacity. In addition, supply from nations including Venezuela, Libya and Nigeria is being buffeted by economic collapse or civil unrest. Still, Goldman Sachs analysts predict that US$100 will not be passed.

Who wins from higher oil prices?

Most of the biggest oil-producing nations are emerging economies. Saudi Arabia leads the way with a net oil production that is almost 21 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) as at 2016 - more than twice that of Russia, which is the next among 15 major emerging markets ranked by Bloom-berg Economics. Other winners could include Nigeria and Colombia. The increase in revenues will help to repair budgets and current account deficits, allowing governments to increase spending that will spur investment.

Who loses?

India, China, Taiwan, Chile, Turkey, Egypt and Ukraine are among those that would take a hit. Paying more for oil will pressure current accounts and make economies more vulnerable to rising US interest rates. Bloomberg Economics has ranked major emerging markets based on vulnerability to shifts in oil prices, US rates and protectionism. One of the biggest winners might also find itself on the losing end: Oystein Olsen, Norway's central bank governor, warned that western Europe's biggest petroleum producer risks problems if the industry takes its eyes off controlling costs.

What does it mean for the US?

A run-up in oil prices poses a lot less of a risk to the US than it used to, thanks to the boom in shale oil production. The old rule of thumb among economists was that a sustained US$10 per barrel increase would shave about 0.3 per cent off of US output the following year. But tallies now, including that of Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi, pencil in a hit of around 0.1 per cent. While the diminishing American reliance on imported oil has positive economic consequences at the industry level, poorer households would feel the weight of higher prices at the pump. They spend about 8 per cent of their pre-tax income on petrol, compared to about one per cent for the top fifth of earners.

Will it lead to higher inflation around the world?

Energy prices often carry a heavy weight in consumer price gauges, prompting policymakers including those at the Federal Reserve to focus simultaneously on core indexes that remove volatile energy costs. But a substantial run-up in oil prices could provide a more durable uptick for overall inflation if the costs filter through to transportation and utilities.

What does it mean for central banks?

If stronger oil prices boost inflation, central bankers on balance will have one less reason to keep monetary policy loose. Among the most-exposed economies, central bankers in India already are warning about the impact as the nation's biggest import item gets more expensive. Greater overall price pressures also could prompt faster monetary policy tightening in economies such as Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and South Africa. BLOOMBERG