Oil opened the week in robust form after a raft of economic data from China added to signs of recovery from the coronavirus pandemic just as the OPEC+ alliance presses on with output curbs to drain global inventories. West Texas Intermediate in New York gained 0.9%, while Brent also climbed. Figures from China for the first two months of the year showed a surge in industrial output, underscoring the strength of its V-shaped recovery and reinforcing expectations for increased energy demand. Citigroup Inc. raised its full-year Brent forecast and warned of spikes to $80 a barrel.
Crude has rallied strongly in the opening months of 2021, supported by the vaccine-aided recovery from the pandemic and the decision by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to keep a tight rein on supplies. That combination — plus attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure by Yemen’s Houthi rebels — helped London’s Brent crude to top $71 a barrel last week.
“Once again, a much-improved demand picture along with supply cuts, particularly from OPEC+, have us drifting higher,” said Michael McCarthy, chief markets strategist at CMC Markets Asia Pacific. “I expect, if anything, we are going to see higher levels.”
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