Oil Fluctuates Amid Low Trading Volume and Weaker Dollar
China's efforts to revive its economy by removing harsh COVID-19 curbs is spurring hopes of higher consumption in the long term.
December 20, 2022 at 02:22 PM
2 minute read
Oil swung in a session marked by waning liquidity ahead of the holiday season, as traders weigh a softer dollar and a potential boost in energy demand after China abandoned its COVID-zero policy.
West Texas Intermediate traded in a narrow range around $75 a barrel, aided by a weaker dollar, which makes commodities priced in the currency more attractive. China's efforts to revive its economy by removing harsh virus curbs is spurring hopes of higher consumption in the long term.
Continued supply disruptions in the U.S. are also supporting oil. Output in North Dakota has fallen by about 300,000 barrels a day since a winter storm last week and the recovery will take some time. Meanwhile, TC Energy Corp.'s restart plan for the Keystone pipeline, which was halted earlier this month, is under review, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said on Monday.
Crude is still on track for a second monthly loss with a persistent lack of liquidity leaving prices prone to large swings. The U.S. Federal Reserve is continuing with aggressive interest-rate hikes, while a top European Central Bank official said it would take time for inflation to be brought down.
Separately, the Saudi oil minister reminded oil market participants that OPEC+ will continue to make decisions based on how it views market conditions and can pivot accordingly. OPEC and its allies have no choice but to remain pro-active and preemptive given the uncertainties that face the market, Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said.
Julia Fanzeres and Alex Longley report for Bloomberg News.
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