Crude Oil Falls First Day in Three on Slowing Growth in China

Crude oil fell for the first day in three on concern growth will slow in China, cutting fuel demand in the world’s second largest energy user. Oil gave up some of yesterday’s 2.4 percent gain on speculation Chinese demand will slow as policymakers trim economic stimulus after the $1.4 trillion lending binge that revived growth in 2009. Crude supplies at Cushing, Oklahoma, where New York traded West Texas Intermediate oil is delivered, rose last week, the Energy Information Administration said.

“The mood is still cautious,” said Toby Hassall, a commodity analyst at CWA Global Markets Pty in Sydney. “The numbers from the EIA were not unexpected in terms of the seasonal pattern. There is still caution in the marketplace.” Crude oil for July delivery dropped as much as 42 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $74.19 a barrel, in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was at $74.31 at 10:33 a.m. Singapore time. Yesterday, the contract rose $1.75 to settle at $74.61. Futures are poised for a 0.4 percent gain for the week, the second consecutive weekly increase.

“Sentiment is still very fragile,” David Moore, a commodity strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd. in Sydney, said by telephone today. “Inventories are still high. There are some signs of improvement but it’s certainly not a tight market at this stage”....Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil Rises a Third Day on Recovery in Global Fuel Demand

Crude oil rose for a third day on speculation fuel demand will increase as the global economy emerges from recession. Oil climbed after U.S. equity markets reached their highest in a year Oct. 9, fanning hope for a recovery in world energy consumption. An Investors Business Daily survey due tomorrow in the U.S., the world’s largest energy user, may show consumers were optimistic for a third month, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

“We are looking at an international economy that is going to be stronger in 12 months’ time,” said David Moore, a commodity strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd. in Sydney. “There’s that conviction that things are going to be better down the track” even when some data is not “especially supportive,” he said. Crude oil for November delivery climbed as much as 79 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $72.56 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was at $72.23 at 9:26 a.m. Singapore time. Futures have gained 62 percent this year.....Read the entire article.