Oil flat as markets debate US crude build

Both crude benchmarks earlier climbed more than 1.5%

HOUSTON:

Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday, giving up early gains, as markets weighed an unexpected, large build in US crude oil against bullish demand growth forecasts and optimism over the Federal Reserve likely pausing interest rates.

Brent crude futures were flat at $74.29 a barrel by 1645 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up 1 cent at $69.43.

Both benchmarks had climbed more than 1.5% earlier in the session. It rose more than 3% the previous day on expectations of rising fuel demand after China’s central bank lowered a short-term lending rate.

US crude oil stocks rose by about 8 million barrels in the week ended June 9, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. Analysts had estimated a 500,000-barrel decline. Gasoline and diesel stocks also rose more than expected.

Market participants also expect the US central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to pause interest rate hikes because of uncertainty over the economic outlook and the effects of 10 rate increases since March 2022.

A pause in the Fed’s rate increases would spur economic growth and oil demand, supporting prices.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2023.

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