Crude Oil Falls a Fourth Day Concern U.S. Economy Will Be Slow to Recover

Crude oil fell for a fourth day on speculation that the U.S. economic recovery is slowing, reducing fuel demand in the world’s biggest oil consuming country. Oil slipped as much as 1.2 percent after the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary September index of consumer sentiment fell to 66.6 from 68.9 a month earlier. Enbridge Energy Partners LP obtained government approval to resume sending Canadian oil to refineries in the Midwest on Line 6A. The system will begin operating today, the company said.

“The market really started to tank once the consumer confidence numbers came out,” said Kyle Cooper, a managing director at energy consultant IAF Advisors in Houston. “The economy is the driver of this market right now.” Crude oil for October delivery declined 67 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $73.90 a barrel at 10:15 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude oil for November settlement fell 36 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $78.12 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

Oil futures topped $78 a barrel this week following the closure on Sept. 9 of Enbridge’s 466-mile Line 6A. The pipe spilled about 6,100 barrels of oil from a section in Romeoville, Illinois, about 30 miles southwest of Chicago. The 34-inch line runs from Superior, Wisconsin, to Griffith, Indiana, and can carry 670,000 barrels a day of crude, equal to more than one- third of Midwest imports. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said in a report today that the pipeline’s closure will keep U.S. crude oil imports at reduced levels in coming weeks.

Lower Inventories
“As the tide turns, we will see lower inventories and shifting sentiment send WTI crude oil prices into a $85-$95 per barrel trading range in coming months,” Goldman said in the report.
“The oil price will remain stuck in a $70 to $80 range,” said Tobias Merath, head of commodity research at Credit Suisse Group AG in Zurich. “At first it looked like the Enbridge repairs would take a long time. Now it seems it will go fairly fast. Markets are very well-supplied and U.S. demand is lackluster.”

Bloomberg reporter Mark Shenk can be reached at mshenk1@bloomberg.net

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Crude Oil Futures Fall as U.S. Jobs Report Signals Slowing Economic Recovery

Crude oil fell as initial U.S. jobless claims bolstered concern that the country’s economy will be slow to recover, crimping fuel demand. Oil slipped as much as 1.1 percent as a report showed that the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits decreased by 6,000 to 472,000 in the week ended Aug. 28. U.S. crude oil stockpiles climbed 3.43 million barrels to 361.7 million last week, an Energy Department report showed yesterday.

“Although jobless claims dropped a little, they are still above 470,000, which is a sign that the economy is still in a lot of trouble,” said Gene McGillian, an analyst and broker at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. Crude oil for October delivery fell 57 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $73.34 a barrel at 9:07 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent crude oil for October settlement lost 94 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $75.41 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe Exchange. The increase in crude oil stockpiles left supplies 11 percent above the five year average for the period, according to the department. “U.S. inventories are pretty enormous,” said Alexander Ridgers, head of commodities at London based CMC Markets, which handles more than $150 million a day in U.S. crude contracts.

Overall petroleum stockpiles, a combination of oil and fuel supplies, climbed 4.04 million barrels, or 0.4 percent, to 1.14 billion, the highest level since at least 1990, according to yesterday’s report. “Supplies are ample,” McGillian said. “Yesterday’s inventory report showed that petroleum stockpiles were at a record high for a third consecutive week.”

Reporter Mark Shenk can be reached at mshenk1@bloomberg.net

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Crude Oil Pares Losses as U.S. Inventory Drops More Than Analysts Forecast

Crude oil fluctuated, rebounding from earlier losses, after a U.S. government report showed that inventories declined three times as much as expected last week and refineries bolstered operating rates to a two year high. Supplies fell 5.06 million barrels, or 1.4 percent, to 353.1 million, the most since September, according to the Energy Department. Stockpiles were forecast to slip 1.5 million barrels, a Bloomberg News survey showed. Refineries operated at 90.5 percent of capacity, the highest level since January 2008.

“A 5 million draw in crude oil supplies is pretty bullish any way you look at it,” said Carl Larry, president of Oil Outlooks and Opinions LLC in Houston. “The outlook for prices is still higher, unless the economy continues to just trudge along.” Crude oil for August delivery rose 2 cents to $77.17 a barrel at 11:10 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil traded at $76.62 before the release of the report at 10:30 a.m. in Washington.

Brent crude for August settlement increased 23 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $76.88 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange. August Brent futures expire tomorrow. The more active September contract rose 10 cents to $76.83 a barrel.

Retail Sales Drop

Prices also dropped as sales at U.S. retailers fell in June for a second month, indicating the pace of economic recovery moderated heading into the second half of 2010. Purchases decreased a more than projected 0.5 percent following a 1.1 percent May drop, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Retail sales were projected to fall 0.3 percent after a 1.2 percent drop previously reported for May, according to the median estimate of 75 economists in a Bloomberg News survey.

Excluding auto dealers, demand fell 0.1 percent, matching the median forecast of economists surveyed. Industrial production in the 16-member euro region increased less than forecast in May as the economy struggled to gather strength. Output climbed 0.9 percent from the previous month, when it also increased 0.9 percent, the European Union statistics office in Luxembourg said today. Economists forecast output to rise 1.2 percent, according to the median of 27 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey.

Reporter Mark Shenk can be contacted at mshenk1@bloomberg.net.

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Crude Oil Rises as Stocks Climb on Optimism Over Global Economic Recovery

Crude oil rose for a third day as equities gained on optimism that the global economic recovery will accelerate. Oil advanced as much as 1.2 percent as the MSCI World Index headed for its biggest weekly rally in a year. The global economy will grow 4.6 percent in 2010, the biggest expansion since 2007, the International Monetary Fund said on July 7 in revisions to its World Economic Outlook.

“We’re going to be looking at the equities and the dollar for direction here,” said Gene McGillian, an analyst and broker at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. Crude oil for August delivery rose 81 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $76.25 a barrel at 10:46 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures touched $76.36, the highest intraday price since June 30. Oil is set for a 5.7 percent increase this week, the most since the week ended April 2.

Brent crude for August settlement climbed 89 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $75.60 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Oil may rise next week after the IMF upgraded its global economic outlook and as U.S. supplies dropped to a two month low, a Bloomberg News survey showed. Twenty of 38 analysts and traders, or 53 percent, forecast crude will increase through July 16. Ten respondents, or 26 percent, predicted futures will be little changed and eight saw a decrease.

Reporter Mark Shenk can be contacted at mshenk1@bloomberg.net.

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Crude Oil Falls to Three Month Low on Concern European Crisis May Slow Recovery

Crude oil fell to a three month low in New York on concern that Europe’s sovereign debt crisis will reduce global economic growth and fuel consumption. Oil dropped for a fourth day and the euro traded near a 17 month low against the dollar as the Spanish daily El Pais reported that French President Nicolas Sarkozy threatened to pull out of the common currency. Supplies at Cushing, Oklahoma, where New York traded West Texas Intermediate oil is delivered, rose to a record last week, according to the Energy Department.

“The European debt worries are hitting a lot of markets,” said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research in Winchester, Massachusetts. “This together with rising inventories, especially at Cushing, will continue to weigh on oil.” Crude oil for June delivery fell $1.15, or 1.6 percent, to $73.25 a barrel at 10:06 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures touched $72.72, the lowest level since Feb. 12. Oil is down 2.5 percent this week.

Oil has dropped 16 percent on the Nymex since it reached $87.15 a barrel on May 3, a 19 month high, as the euro weakened against the dollar. The euro traded at $1.2434, down 0.8 percent from $1.2535 yesterday. The euro breached $1.25 for the first time since March 2009 and touched the lowest level since Nov. 13, 2008. Portugal announced austerity measures yesterday, a day after Spain proposed to reduce its deficit, spurring concern that fiscal tightening in the region will undermine economic growth and derail the global recovery.....Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil Steady as Report Shows Higher Crude Supplies, Drop in Fuel Stockpiles

Crude oil futures were little changed after a U.S. government report showed an unexpected decline in supplies of gasoline as crude inventories rose. Gasoline inventories fell 2.81 million barrels to 222.1 million in the week ended May 7, the Energy Department said today in a weekly report. Stockpiles were forecast to increase by 400,000 barrels, according to the median of 18 analyst estimates in a Bloomberg News survey.

Inventories of crude oil rose 1.95 million barrels to 362.5 million, the department said. Supplies were forecast to increase by 1.6 million barrels. Crude oil for June delivery fell 12 cents, to $76.25 a barrel at 10:35 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil traded at $76.53 a barrel before the release of the report at 10:30 a.m. in Washington.

Prices also moved lower as the International Energy Agency cut its estimate of world oil demand this year by 220,000 barrels to 86.4 million barrels a day in a monthly report. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries bolstered oil output by 40,000 barrels a day in April, according to the IEA. Supplies from the 11 members bound by quotas rose to 26.79 million barrels a day, 70,000 barrels a day more than in March. That means the group’s compliance with the record output cuts slipped to 54 percent last month. Iraq has no output target.

OPEC members will need to pump 28.7 million barrels a day to balance global oil demand and supply this year, according to the IEA. That is 400,000 barrels fewer than the Paris based agency estimated last month. Iran, holder of the world’s second largest oil reserves, may be storing as much as 38 million barrels of crude at sea as demand declines for the heavier, sour grades the Persian Gulf country sells, according to the IEA.

Reporter Mark Shenk can be contacted at mshenk1@bloomberg.net.


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Crude Oil Tumbles to Nine Week Low on Stronger Dollar, Rising Supplies

Crude oil fell to a nine week low in New York as the euro dropped against the dollar on concern that Greece’s debt crisis will spread, curbing economic growth. Oil has lost 8 percent since May 3, the steepest three day decline since July 2009, as the dollar surged versus the common currency, reducing the appeal of commodities as an alternative investment. Moody’s placed its Aa2 rating for Portugal on review for a possible downgrade, a process that will conclude within three months, the company said in a statement yesterday.

“The oil market is being hit by a double whammy,” said Jason Schenker, president of Prestige Economics LLC, an Austin, Texas based energy consultant. “The rise in the dollar is pummeling crude. Also, there are global growth concerns which have increased because of the credit downgrades in Europe and the Greek debt crisis.” Crude oil for June delivery fell 71 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $79.26 a barrel at 9:58 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures touched $78.24, the lowest level since March 1. Prices have climbed 41 percent in the past year.

Brent oil for June settlement declined 56 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $82.05 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract touched $81.12, the lowest level since March 31. The euro dropped 0.5 percent to $1.2748 from $1.2814 yesterday. The common currency touched $1.2691, the weakest level since March 2009.
Standard & Poor’s last month downgraded Greece’s debt to junk and followed with cuts to Portugal and Spain.

‘Mass Exodus’

“You’re starting to see a mass exodus as people are expecting more problems from the European debt crisis,” said Gene McGillian, an analyst and broker at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. U.S. stockpiles of crude oil rose 2.76 million barrels last week to the highest level since June, an Energy Department report showed yesterday. It was the 13th gain in 14 weeks.

Crude oil inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, where the New York traded West Texas Intermediate grade is stored, rose 4.9 percent to 36.2 million barrels, the highest level since the department began reporting on supplies at the hub in April 2004. Oil for June delivery is at a $3.13 a barrel discount to the July contract in New York, the widest spread in more since Feb. 17, 2009. December crude is trading at a $7.08 premium to the front contract.


Reporter Mark Shenk can be contacted at mshenk1@bloomberg.net



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Crude Oil Declines as Greece’s Deficit Weakens Euro and Equities

Crude oil fell for the first time in three days after the European Union said Greece’s budget deficit last year was worse than previously forecast, sending equities and the euro lower. Oil slipped as much as 2.3 percent in New York after the U.S. currency’s gain dimmed the appeal of commodities as an alternative investment. An Energy Department report yesterday showed that U.S. crude and fuel supplies increased last week as demand slipped in the world’s largest energy consuming country.

“The stuff out of Europe doesn’t get any better,” said Bill O’Grady, chief market strategist at Confluence Investment Management in St. Louis. “The problems out of Europe continue to impact the dollar and raise concerns about economic growth.” Crude oil for June delivery dropped 95 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $82.73 a barrel at 11:50 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures are up 4.2 percent this year. The EU’s statistics office said Greece’s deficit was 13.6 percent of GDP last year, topping the government’s two week old forecast of 12.9 percent. Greece’s widening deficit and questions about the accuracy of its economic data have undermined the credibility of the EU’s budget rules and contributed to the 7.2 percent slide in the euro this year.

The dollar traded at $1.3293 against the European currency, up 0.7 percent from yesterday. It was the greenback’s sixth straight increase. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slid 1 percent to 1,193.98. The Energy Department’s report showed crude oil stockpiles in the U.S. increased by 1.89 million barrels in the week ended April 16. Gasoline supplies rose 3.59 million barrels to 224.9 million, and inventories of distillate fuel, a category that includes heating oil and diesel, gained 2.1 million barrels to 148.9 million.....Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil and Gasoline Futures Decline on Speculation U.S. Fuel Supplies Will Climb

Crude oil fell and gasoline declined for a fourth day on speculation that U.S. stockpiles of the fuel will surge as refineries bolster processing rates. U.S. plants operated at 84.5 percent of capacity last week, the highest level since October, according to an Energy Department report on April 7. Futures climbed earlier today on signals that Greece, Europe’s most indebted nation, will get an international bailout to avert a default.

“We’re still in corrective mode,” said Tom Bentz, a broker at BNP Paribas Commodity Futures Inc. in New York. “Gasoline has been under pressure ever since the inventory report showed the increase in refinery runs.” Crude oil for May delivery declined 64 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $84.75 a barrel at 12:07 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices climbed as much as 98 cents, or 1.1 percent, earlier today. Oil has dropped 0.1 percent this week and increased 6.8 percent this year.

Gasoline for May delivery slipped 1.78 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $2.2805 a gallon in New York. Oil surged to an 18 month intraday high of $87.09 on April 6 following reports that showed growth in U.S. jobs and service industries. “Prices moved higher on expectations that economic growth will continue and demand is going to increase,” said Chip Hodge, who oversees a $9 billion natural-resource bond portfolio as senior managing director at MFC Global Investment Management in Boston. “Inventory levels are still robust. If demand doesn’t pick up, oil is going to drop.”

U.S. Stockpiles

The U.S. Energy Department reported on April 7 that supplies of crude oil rose 1.98 million barrels to 356.2 million last week, leaving stockpiles 7.1 percent higher than the five year average for the period. It was the 10th consecutive gain, the longest stretch of weekly increases since late 2004.

“There’s no shortage of supply, and demand isn’t that strong,” said Paul M. Mecray III, a managing director at Tower Bridge Advisors, an investment adviser in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. “There are geopolitical concerns that are supporting prices. If Iran were to be attacked, oil would rise well over $100 in minutes.”

President Barack Obama vowed to maintain “consistent and steady” international pressure against Iran developing nuclear weapons capabilities. “I don’t think you’ve seen the degree of international unity that you’ve seen in this effort,” Obama said on ABC’s “Good Morning America” program, taped yesterday in Prague.

The U.S. is pushing for tougher measures in a fourth set of sanctions against Iran at the United Nations to stop what it says is an Iranian development program for a nuclear arms capability that would destabilize the Middle East. Brent crude oil for May settlement fell 38 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $84.43 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange.


Reporter Mark Shenk can be contacted at mshenk1@bloomberg.net


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Oil Falls the Most in Two Weeks After Consumer Sentiment Drops

Crude oil declined the most in two weeks after a report showed that confidence among U.S. consumers unexpectedly dropped this month. Oil fell as much as 1.7 percent as the Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment index dropped to 72.5 from February’s reading of 73.6. A gain to 74 was forecast, according to the median of 68 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey. Prearranged orders to sell oil at specific prices, known as stops, may have been triggered when oil breached today’s low.

“The selling started after the consumer confidence numbers were released,” said Addison Armstrong, director of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. “The market has been tenuous and once we started working lower the move gathered strength. We’ve taken out some stops and are looking to test more.” Crude oil for April delivery fell $1.16, or 1.4 percent, to $80.95 a barrel at 12:27 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices touched $83.16, the highest level since Jan. 11. Futures are little changed this week and are 72 percent higher than a year ago.

Brent crude oil for April delivery declined $1.24 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $79.04 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Prices climbed earlier as retail sales gained. The Commerce Department reported that purchases gained 0.3 percent last month. A 0.2 percent decline was projected, according economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. “There’s a rush to interpret every new piece of economic data,” said Michael Fitzpatrick, vice president of energy at MF Global in New York. “We did reach $83.16, a new high, but otherwise today is a sleeper.”

Reporter Mark Shenk can be reached at mshenk1@bloomberg.net


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Crude Oil Increases to Eight Week High as Fuel Supply Falls, Demand Gains

Crude oil fell from an eight week high after a government report showed that U.S. inventories climbed for a sixth week, the longest stretch since May.

Stockpiles rose 1.43 million barrels to 343 million in the week ended March 5, according to the Energy Department report. Imports tumbled 8.1 percent to an average 8.49 million barrels a day, the biggest one week drop since October.

Crude oil for April delivery fell 13 cents to $81.36 a barrel at 12:25 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures reached $83.03, the highest level since Jan. 11.

Brent crude for April delivery declined 35 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $79.56 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Futures touched $81.46, the highest level since Jan. 11.


From Mark Shenk at Bloomberg news. You can contact Mark at mshenk1@bloomberg.net.



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Crude Oil Futures Fluctuate Along With U.S. Equity Markets

Crude oil fluctuated along with equities as energy traders looked to stocks for signals of the strength of the economic recovery and fuel demand. Oil traded in a $1.66 range as stocks drifted between gains and losses after American International Group Inc. rose on the sale of a unit while drugmakers sank as President Barack Obama embarked on a final push to overhaul the health care system. An Energy Department report on March 10 will show that U.S. crude supplies climbed last week, a Bloomberg News survey showed.

“Until we get some solid statistics from the DOE on Wednesday, the market will look at equities for direction,” said Carl Larry, president of Oil Outlooks & Opinions LLC in Houston. Crude oil for April delivery rose 19 cents to $81.69 a barrel at 1:43 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures touched $82.41, the highest level since Jan. 11. Prices are up 79 percent from a year earlier.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.76, or 0.2 percent to 1,140.46. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.68 point to 10,566.88. “We are bouncing around with equities,” said Addison Armstrong, a director of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. “Crude oil is very much a follower and not trading on its own fundamentals.” Supplies of crude oil increased 2 million barrels last week, according to the median of 10 estimates from analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News.

Prices will probably fall to $60 a barrel during the fourth quarter of the year, Adam Sieminski, the chief energy economist at Deutsche Bank AG in Washington, said on Bloomberg Television. “The second half of the year could be weak because inventories are high, demand is still relatively weak, there’s plenty of supply and lots of OPEC spare capacity.” Brent crude for April delivery rose 40 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $80.29 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Oil reached $80.92, the highest level since Jan. 11.

Reporter Mark Shenk can be contacted at mshenk1@bloomberg.net


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Crude Oil Rises to Six Week High After U.S. Consumer Spending Climbs

Crude oil rose to a six week high after U.S. consumers increased spending for a fourth consecutive month in January, signaling that fuel demand may climb.

Oil climbed as much as 1.2 percent after the Commerce Department reported a 0.5 percent increase in purchases. Prices advanced on Feb. 26 following a report by the department that U.S. gross domestic product increased by the most in six years, renewing optimism about the strength of the economic recovery.

“If consumer spending is up, we can expect to see higher demand going forward,” said Phil Flynn, vice president of research at PFGBest in Chicago.

Crude oil for April delivery rose 46 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $80.12 a barrel at 9:48 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures touched $80.62, the highest level since Jan. 13. Oil is up 79 percent from a year earlier.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 6.95, or 0.6 percent, to 1,111.44. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 52.76, or 0.5 percent, to 10,378.02.

“The consumer spending numbers were positive,” said Tom Bentz, a broker at BNP Paribas Commodity Futures Inc. in New York. “We finished last week strongly and the momentum is still on the bullish side.”

European manufacturing accelerated at the fastest pace in more than two years in February as reviving global demand boosted export orders. A manufacturing index for the 16 member euro region increased to 54.2 from 52.4 in January, London based Markit Economics said today. That’s above an initial estimate of 54.1 published on Feb. 19 and the highest since August 2007.

“Since late last week we’ve been seeing some economic optimism creep back into the oil market,” Flynn said.

Brent crude for April settlement rose 47 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $78.06 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange.


To contact the reporters on this story you can email Mark Shenk in New York at mshenk1@bloomberg.net



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