Crude Oil Trades Near Three Days Highs on U.S. Economic Outlook

Crude oil traded near the highest close in three days before reports that may show a strengthening of the economy in the U.S., the world’s biggest crude consumer. Futures were little changed in New York after rising 0.2 percent last week. Consumer purchases that account for about 70 percent of the U.S. economy probably climbed by the most since the end of 2010, according to a Bloomberg News survey before an April 27 Commerce Department report. Iraq halted crude exports from northern fields because of a technical fault at a pipeline network in neighboring Turkey, the Oil Ministry said.

Crude for June delivery was at $103.77 a barrel, down 11 cents, in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 9:40 a.m. Sydney time. The contract rose 1.1 percent to $103.88 on April 20, the highest close since April 17. Front month prices are 5 percent higher this year. Brent oil for June settlement was at $118.63 a barrel, down 13 cents, on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The European benchmark contract’s front month premium to West Texas Intermediate was at $14.85, from $14.88 on April 20.

Iraq’s crude exports stopped at 7:45 p.m. on April 21, the ministry said in a statement on the website of the official National Media Center yesterday. The nation normally exports 450,000 to 500,000 barrels a day from northern fields through Turkey. It ships most of its oil from the south on tankers sailing from the Persian Gulf.

U.S. consumer spending may have risen 2.3 percent last quarter, according to the Bloomberg survey. That would follow a 2.1 percent gain in the prior period. Gross domestic product rose at a 2.5 percent annual rate after advancing 3 percent in the previous three months, according to the median forecast in a separate Bloomberg survey before the Commerce Department’s April 27 release.

Posted courtesy of Bloomberg News

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Rigzone: Crude Ends Lower On Weak Equities, Dollar Gains

Crude oil futures fell Friday despite an improving U.S. jobs picture as traders focused on declines in equities markets and a stronger dollar.

Light, sweet crude oil for February delivery settled 25 cents, or 0.3%, lower at $101.56 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after trading as high as $102.80 earlier in the session. Brent crude oil on the ICE Futures exchange rose late in the session to trade 80 cents higher at $113.06 a barrel.

After trading higher early Friday, a lower opening for the U.S. stock market held oil futures in negative territory. Equities have served as a guide for oil prices in recent months, and worries about Italy's debt situation kept investors from cheering an improving U.S. employment picture.

A stronger dollar against the euro also took some wind out of the oil market. A rising dollar typically weighs on oil as it makes crude oil more expensive for buyers in other currencies.....Read the entire article.


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Nymex Crude Tips Back Below $100 Per Barrel

U.S. oil futures slid back below $100 a barrel Thursday, reversing the previous day's gains, as doubts surfaced about the economy's ability to stomach high oil prices.

Light, sweet crude for December delivery settled down $3.77, or 3.7%, to $98.82 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The December contract is set to expire at the end of trading Friday. The more heavily traded January contract settled down $3.67, or 3.6%, to $98.93 a barrel.

Brent crude on the ICE Futures Europe exchange recently traded down $2.89, or 2.6%, to $108 a barrel.

Nymex futures pushed lower on a wave of selling, as traders thought twice about whether $100 crude was sustainable given the cracks in the global economy. A sinking stock market in the U.S., combined with intensifying worries about Europe's sovereign debt crisis, took the wind out of a price rally that had dominated the oil market for the last several weeks.....Read the entire Rigzonearticle.


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Dan Strumpf: Crude Oil Pauses As Europe Debt Questions Persist

Crude oil futures edged lower Friday, as traders paused amid uncertainty over the details of the European Union's rescue package for Greece. Light, sweet crude for December delivery settled 64 cents, or 0.7%, lower at $93.32 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude on the ICE futures exchange settled down $2.17, or 1.9%, to $109.91 a barrel.

Futures ended slightly lower as market participants reflected on the rescue package unveiled by European Union officials on Thursday. The package, aimed at staving off a disorderly default of Greece, sent crude futures soaring on Thursday. But questions persisted over how the EU will implement the plans and if they will be enough to solve the debt woes.

"The lack of details out of this European summit really questions the feasibility of this euro zone debt deal," said Peter Donovan, vice president at Vantage Trading, an oil options brokerage in New York.

Oil market participants were closely eyeing the negotiations over European sovereign debt because of fears that the debt crisis could spread to other countries in Europe or elsewhere. That could trigger a prolonged economic slump that would weigh heavily on crude oil demand.

Positive developments in Europe over the last month played a large role in the recent crude market rally. Even after Friday's decline.....Read Dan's entire post at Rigzone.



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Bloomberg: Crude Oil Gains on Optimism Europe Will Tame Debt Crisis, Boosting Fuel Demand

Crude Oil rose for a second day in New York on speculation European governments will contain their sovereign debt crisis, limiting its impact on the global economy and demand for raw materials.

Futures gained as much as 3.6 percent, trimming the biggest quarterly decline since the global financial crisis in 2008. U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner predicted Europe will intensify efforts to contain its debt problems after being pressured at international meetings in Washington last week. European stocks climbed for a third day.

“It’s a ‘risk on’ day for oil,” said Thorbjorn Bak Jensen, an analyst at Global Risk Management in Middelfart, Denmark, who predicts Brent will average $107 in the fourth quarter. “Investors are hoping the European Central Bank will pull a rabbit out of the hat, in the form of an increase in the strength of the bond buying program.”

Crude for November delivery climbed as much as $2.90 to $83.14 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was at $82.62 at 1:44 p.m. London time. Oil has dropped 13 percent since the end of June, the biggest quarterly loss since the three months ended December 2008. Prices are down 7 percent this month and 9.6 percent this year......Read the entire Bloomberg article.


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Rigzone: Crude Oil Slips Below $80

Crude oil futures extended losses Tuesday after the Federal Reserve said risks to the economic outlook have increased. Light, sweet crude continued to retreat on the New York Mercantile Exchange Tuesday settling at $79.30 a barrel, down $2.01. For the first time in nearly 10 months, crude prices settled below $80 a barrel.


The Fed failed to ease fears as Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and his colleagues promised to extend the benchmark interest rate for another two years but stopped short of initiating an additional round of economic stimulus.


In separate monthly reports, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and OPEC cut demand forecasts for 2011. The EIA cut its 2011 world demand growth forecast by 60,000 barrels per day (bpd). It raised its 2012 projections to 1.64 MMbpd. Meanwhile, OPEC cut oil demand growth for this year by 150,000 bpd and 20,000 bpd for next year. The intraday range for crude was $75.71 to $83.05 a barrel.


At its lowest close since Feb. 18, Brent futures lost $1.17 to end Tuesday's trading session at $102.57 a barrel. Prices traded as low as $99.06 and as high as $105.81 Tuesday. Gasoline for September delivery settled 2.4 cents lower at $2.67 a gallon Tuesday. The EIA reported a 2 percent decline in gasoline demand over the summer driving season, pushing prices as low as $2.59. The intraday high for gasoline was $2.76.


Conversely, natural gas futures gained 5.9 cents, or 1.5 percent, settling at $3.99 per thousand cubic feet. Natural gas futures pushed past the $4 mark Tuesday, peaking at $4.04 and bottoming out just below $3.89. High temperatures continue to support gains.


Posted Courtesy of Rigzone.Com




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Crude Oil Prices Rise to Two Week High on U.S. Retail Sales, Irish Bailout

Crude oil rose to a two week high as U.S. consumers spent more over the Thanksgiving weekend than last year, a sign confidence in the economy is strengthening. Oil climbed above $85 a barrel as the average U.S. shopper increased purchases by 6.4 percent from the 2009 period, a report from the National Retail Federation showed. Crude also advanced amid speculation that colder than normal weather may boost demand for heating fuel in the eastern U.S. and Europe.

“People are looking at a pretty decent retail environment, and that’s giving oil a boost,” said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research in Winchester, Massachusetts. “Cold weather is more bullish earlier in the season than later. If people turn on their heaters early and they stay on, that’s good for the season.” Oil for January delivery climbed $1.97, or 2.4 percent, to $85.73 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the highest settlement since Nov. 11. Futures have gained 13 percent in the past year.

Brent crude for January settlement rose $1.76, or 2.1 percent, to $87.34 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London. About 212 million shoppers went to stores and websites over the holiday weekend in the U.S., on average spending $365.34, the Washington based National Retail Federation reported. Temperatures in the eastern half of the U.S. will be below normal from Dec. 7 to Dec. 13, according to a forecast issued today by the U.S. Climate Prediction Center in Camp Springs, Maryland......Read the entire article.


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Crude Oil Rises as Irish Bailout Plan May Ease Concern Over European Debt

Crude oil rose, rebounding from its biggest weekly loss in three months, amid optimism that an agreement to rescue Ireland’s banks may reduce European sovereign debt concerns. Futures retraced some of last week’s 4 percent slump after Ireland yesterday applied for a bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to save its banks. The decision pushed the euro to a one week high versus the dollar, boosting the appeal of commodities to investors.

“The euro debt concerns are easing as Ireland has decided to accept the bailout and that will lead to a weaker dollar,” said Serene Lim, a commodity strategist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Singapore. “It’s more of the dollar weakening that’s helping to drive oil higher.” The January contract gained as much as 64 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $82.62 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and was at $82.50 at 12:25 p.m. Singapore time. It slipped 44 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $81.98 on Nov. 19. Futures are up 3.7 percent this year.

The December contract expired on Nov. 19, down 34 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $81.51 a barrel. Crude fell at the end of last week after China ordered banks to raise reserves in a move that may slow growth and crimp fuel demand in the world’s largest energy consuming country. “The Irish debt situation has been contained for the moment,” said David Taylor, a market analyst at CMC Markets Ltd. in Sydney......Read the entire article.


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Bloomberg: Crude Oil Has Biggest Weekly Decline in Three Months on China Bank Reserves Move

Crude Oil fell, posting its biggest weekly loss in three months, after China ordered banks to raise reserves in a move that may slow growth in the world’s largest energy consuming country. Futures dropped 0.4 percent after China told lenders for the fifth time this year to set aside more funds to drain cash from the financial system and limit asset bubbles. Economic growth will spur a 9.5 percent jump in 2010 Chinese oil use, according to a Nov. 12 International Energy Agency report.

“These further moves by the Chinese to rein in their economy and the real concern they’re expressing about inflation is weighing on this crude market,” said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital LLC, a New York based hedge fund focusing on energy. Crude for December delivery fell 34 cents to settle at $81.51 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices have dropped 4 percent since Nov. 12, the most since the week ended Aug. 13. The December contract expired today. The more active January contract slipped 44 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $81.98.

The People’s Bank of China said it will raise the reserve ratio requirement for the nation’s banks by 50 basis points starting Nov. 29. Speculation of an imminent increase in interest rates to counter inflation helped to drive the biggest selloff in China’s benchmark stock index since May over the past two weeks......Read the entire Bloomberg article.


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Commodity Corner: Crude Oil Ends 6 Day Rally

Tuesday's crude futures ended a six day rally Tuesday, as the dollar strengthened against the euro. Crude reached a two year high of $87.63 earlier in the day, before ending Tuesday's trading session at $86.72 a barrel, a 34 cent drop. Oil bottomed out at $85.48. The euro strengthened and the dollar weakened earlier Tuesday following the sale of Greek Treasury bills. The greenback later rebounded amid concerns of European governments struggling to pay their debt. A stronger dollar causes dollar-denominated commodities to be more expensive for countries with other currencies.

Led by financial and consumer companies, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index declined 4.17 points, or 0.3 percent, while the ICE Dollar Index rose to 77.03 from 77.44. Meanwhile, front month natural gas prices increased to its highest levels since August 19, as heating fuel demand rose on cold weather anticipation. Forecasts showed below average temperatures across the U.S. from Nov. 14 to Nov. 22, as reported by the National Weather Service. Henry Hub natural gas rose 12.2 cents to settle at $4.21 per thousand cubic feet on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

According to the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) report, 2010 U.S. natural gas production should increase 2.5 percent from 2009 levels and 0.2 bcf a day for October's marketed natural gas production. The intraday range for natural gas was $4.06 to $4.23. RBOB gasoline for December contract also settled up Tuesday, adding 0.65 cent, to $2.19 a gallon the highest since Aug. 3. Gasoline prices fluctuated between $2.16 and $2.20 Tuesday.

Courtesy of Rigzone.Com

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Crude Oil Rises a Second Day as Faster U.S. Economic Growth May Boost Fuel Use

Crude oil gained a second day in New York after forecasts that the U.S. economy probably grew at a faster pace in the third quarter, signaling a recovery in fuel demand in the world’s biggest crude consuming nation. Futures rose 1.4 percent on Oct. 22 amid speculation that a French strike may increase demand for imported fuels. U.S. gross domestic product climbed at a 2 percent annual pace, up from 1.7 percent in the previous three months, a Bloomberg News survey of economists showed before an Oct. 29 Commerce Department report.

The December contract advanced as much as 47 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $82.16 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and was at $82.10 at 9:15 a.m. Sydney time. It rose $1.13 to $81.69 on Oct. 22. Prices gained 0.5 percent last week and are up 3.4 percent this year. Tropical Storm Richard strengthened to a hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour, as it moves to the west-northwest at 13 mph toward the coast of Belize, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory yesterday.

Brent crude for December settlement added 30 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $83.26 a barrel on the London based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract gained $1.13, or 1.4 percent, to $82.96 on Oct. 22.


Courtesy of Bloomberg News


Reporter Ben Sharples can be reached at bsharples@bloomberg.net

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Crude Oil Declines on Weaker Outlook in Fuel Demand

Crude oil declined for a third day in New York amid speculation that builders in the U.S. started fewer homes in September and as the dollar gained against the euro, curbing the appeal of commodities as an alternative investment. Crude fell as the U.S. currency climbed for a second day after rebounding from the lowest level since January. Work began on 580,000 houses at an annual rate, down 3 percent from August, according to the median estimate of 56 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News before Commerce Department figures due tomorrow. Futures are on the longest losing streak since September. “Oil continues to be heavily impacted by U.S. dollar movements,” said Ben Westmore, minerals and energy economist at National Australia Bank Ltd. in Melbourne.

The November contract dropped as much as 69 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $80.56 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and was at $80.77 at 11:08 a.m. Singapore time. Futures lost $1.44, or 1.7 percent, to $81.25 on Oct. 15, the lowest settlement since Sept. 30. The market is in its longest pullback since a four day drop through Sept. 17. Prices slipped 1.7 percent last week and are up 1.8 percent this year. Brent crude for December settlement declined as much as 65 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $81.80 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London. The contract on Oct. 15 dropped $1.75, or 2.1 percent, to $82.45......Read the entire article.


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Crude Oil Trades Near Eight Week High as U.S. Consumer Spending Increases

Crude oil traded near an eight week high after economic data from the U.S. and China bolstered optimism that demand is growing in the world’s two largest energy consuming countries. Futures advanced 2 percent on Oct. 1 after U.S. consumer spending increased more than forecast in August as incomes climbed, a Commerce Department report showed. Prices also rose as China’s purchasing managers’ index gained in September at the fastest pace in four months.

“The broad sentiment is that a double dip in the U.S. is looking more and more unlikely,” said Ben Westmore, a minerals and energy economist at National Australia Bank Ltd. in Melbourne. “Combine that with the strong growth in China, and you’ve got the world’s two biggest oil consumers both looking like they’re in a recovery period.”

The November contract was at $81.63 a barrel, up 5 cents, in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 11:07 a.m. Singapore time after reaching $81.87. It surged $1.61 to settle at $81.58 on Oct. 1, the highest close since Aug. 5, capping the biggest weekly gain since February. Consumer purchases in the U.S. climbed for a second month, rising 0.4 percent and exceeding the 0.3 percent gain projected by the median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Incomes were up 0.5 percent, the biggest advance this year.....Read the entire article.


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Crude Oil Falls for Second Day on Speculation Fuel Demand Will Drop

Crude oil fell for a second day in New York on speculation that fuel demand will decline as the U.S. summer peak consumption season ends and as crude and fuel inventories rose. Today’s U.S. Labor Day holiday marks the end of the peak driving season. Traders are betting more on falling gasoline prices rather than rising for the first time in almost four years.

U.S. crude inventories are about 5 percent higher than a year ago, while gasoline stockpiles are almost 10 percent more than last year. “Factors like driving season demand and the level of oil inventories have been neglected in recent months,” Roland Stenzel, a crude trader at E&T Energie Handelsgesellschaft mbH, said from Vienna. “I am beginning to think this could become more important again.”

Crude for October delivery fell as much as 58 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $74.02 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was at $74.37 at 3:14 p.m. London time. There will be no floor trading on the Nymex today because of the U.S. holiday. All electronic trades will count as part of tomorrow’s session. Brent crude for October settlement advanced 36 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $77.03 a barrel as of 3:14 p.m. on the ICE Futures Europe Exchange in London.....Read the entire article.



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Crude Oil Falls on Concerns About Economic Recovery, Spain's Deficit

Crude oil declined for the first day in three after equities fell as a slowdown in U.S. manufacturing added to concern that economic growth is faltering, curbing fuel demand. Oil is dropping for the third week, the longest losing streak since May, as Asian stocks slipped on expectations of revisions to U.S. economic growth figures later today. A Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City report yesterday showed manufacturing slowed in August. U.S. crude inventories climbed more than expected last week, an Aug. 25 report from the Energy Department showed.

“The oil market is very bearish,” said Jonathan Barratt, managing director at Commodity Broking Services Pty in Sydney. “The fundamental picture is just not positive at all. If oil breaks $70, it will come under pressure and then you’ll see it substantially lower.” Crude oil for October delivery dropped as much as 49 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $72.87 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $73.03 at 11:27 a.m. Singapore time. Yesterday, the contract rose 84 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $73.36. Prices have dropped 0.6 percent this week and 8 percent since the start of the year.

Economists who projected the U.S. recovery would gain speed in the second half of the year are now scaling back those forecasts as the outlook for jobs and business investment dims. Second quarter gross domestic product growth may be revised down to 1.4 percent from 2.4 percent earlier , according to a Bloomberg News survey of economists.....Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil Rises From Lowest Level in Six Weeks as Chinese Equities Gain

Crude oil rebounded from its lowest level in more than six weeks as equity markets advanced, spurring confidence that the economy is improving and fuel demand will recover. Oil rose for the first time in four days as U.S. stocks gained amid speculation takeovers will accelerate, boosting the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index after two weeks of losses. Tropical Storm Danielle may become the Atlantic season’s second hurricane within a day, the National Hurricane Center forecast.

“We’re tracking the equities,” said Gene McGillian, an analyst and broker at Tradition Energy, a procurement adviser in Stamford, Connecticut. “We track the perceptions of how the economy is playing out through the equities and the dollar,” Crude oil for October delivery gained 51 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $74.33 a barrel at 9:54 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The price has fallen 6.3 percent this year. The September contract expired at $73.46 on Aug. 20, the lowest closing level since July 6.

The S&P 500 rose 0.9 percent to 1,080.89 after falling to a four-week low last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 84.54 points, or 0.8 percent, to 10,298.16. “The correlation is still strong with equities and it’s likely to remain so,” said Roland Stenzel, a crude and carbon trader at E&T Energie Handelsgesellschaft mbH in Vienna. “The market continues to fluctuate”.....Read the entire article.

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Crude Falls as Chinese Growth Is Seen Slowing, Storm Avoids Gulf Platforms

Crude oil fell the most in more than three weeks amid concern that China’s economy is growing at a slower pace than estimated and forecasts that a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico will miss oil producing areas. Oil lost as much as 3.4 percent after the Conference Board corrected its April gauge for the outlook on China’s economy, saying it rose by the smallest amount since November. Tropical Storm Alex make landfall in Mexico July 1 as a hurricane, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

“It’s been our thesis that China was going to slow and oil was overpriced as a result,” said Addison Armstrong, director of market research at Tradition Energy, a Stamford, Connecticut based procurement adviser. “In the current forecast, it appears the storm is a non event in terms of damage to the Gulf of Mexico.”

Oil for August delivery fell $2.47, or 3.2 percent, to $75.78 a barrel at 9:07 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier, crude touched $75.63 a barrel in the biggest one day drop since June 4. It has dropped 4.5 percent this year and 9.5 percent this quarter. Oil also declined as equity markets dropped and the dollar strengthened against the euro, curbing the appeal of commodities as an alternative investment.

Reporter Margot Habiby can be reached at mhabiby@bloomberg.net.


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Crude Oil Falls From Six Week High After Increase in U.S. Jobless Claims

Crude oil fell from a six week high after U.S. jobless claims unexpectedly rose and manufacturing in the Philadelphia region expanded at a slower rate than forecast, casting doubt on the strength of the economic recovery. Oil dropped for the first time in four days as the Labor Department said the number of Americans seeking jobless benefits last week climbed to a one month high. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s general economic index decreased in June to the lowest level since August.

“The Philadelphia Fed and the jobless claims are sparking concerns about economic growth and the resulting energy demand or lack thereof,” said Kyle Cooper, a managing director at energy consultant IAF Advisors in Houston. Crude oil for July delivery lost $1.37, or 1.8 percent, to $76.30 a barrel at 12:40 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures have risen 7.4 percent in the past year.

Initial jobless applications increased by 12,000 to 472,000 in the week ended June 12. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News projected 450,000 claims, according to the median forecast. The number of people receiving unemployment insurance rose, while those getting extended benefits dropped.

The Philadelphia Fed’s index dropped to 8 this month from 21.4 in May. Readings above zero indicate growth in the regional gauge, which covers eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. Economists forecast a decrease to 20, according to the median projection in a Bloomberg News survey.....Read the entire article.


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Crude Oil Declines on Concern Debt Crisis to Stall Recovery

Crude oil fell as European governments struggled to contain the region’s debt crisis, raising concern that it will slow the global economic recovery. Futures dropped as much as 2.5 percent as European Union finance ministers plan to meet today in Brussels to discuss sovereign debt. U.S. petroleum inventories climbed to the highest level in at least 20 years for the middle of May.

“The worry is that the European economy is going to drag the global economy into another recession,” Bill O’Grady, chief market strategist at Confluence Investment Management in St. Louis, said in an interview. “Because 2008 is so fresh in everybody’s mind, everyone I talk to is just petrified.” Crude oil for July delivery dropped 78 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $70.02 a barrel at 10:35 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The July contract has dropped for nine consecutive days, losing 13 percent since May 10. Prices are down 7.2 percent this week.

Oil prices plummeted almost $115 a barrel between July and December 2008. Supplies of oil and all petroleum based fuels jumped to 1.81 billion barrels in the week ended May 14, the highest stockpiles on a seasonal basis in Energy Department data through 1990. High inventories have driven down the profit margin from refining crude into gasoline and heating oil from a 15 month high. The crack spread for July has dropped 14 percent this week, based on Nymex futures prices.....Read the entire article.

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Crude Oil Futures Drop Below $68 on Tuesday Evenings Globex Session

Crude oil futures fell below $68 a barrel in electronic trading Wednesday afternoon in Asia, extending their losses after closing at a seven month low in New York, as broad weakness in Asia's stock markets helped rob investors of confidence in energy demand. "The European fiscal crisis and the generalization of budget adjustment programs seem to have acted as an eye-opener," Christophe Barret, global oil analyst at Credit Agricole, said in a report this week, pointing out that since the start of April, West Texas Intermediate crude had lost $15 a barrel.


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There are new new fears that the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill is spreading through ocean currents, after tarballs were found on Florida's Key West. "This evolution is more or less in line with what would have been dictated by still weak fundamentals, and appears as a healthy correction to inflated prices," he said. Crude oil for June delivery was down 80 cents, or 1.2%, at $68.61 per barrel on Globex in Asia's afternoon trading. It touched an intraday low of $67.90.

The contract lost 67 cents, or 1%, to $69.41 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange Tuesday, ending in the red for the sixth consecutive session. That was the lowest settlement for a most active contract since Sept. 29, when oil ended at $66.71 a barrel, according to FactSet Research. See Tuesday's Futures Movers column. "Germany's ban on 'naked short selling' caused a spike in the [U.S.] dollar, and WTI ultimately closed below $70," Stephen Schork, editor of The Schork Report, said in his latest report. Traders are also looking ahead to weekly data on petroleum supplies due from the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Washington.

Analysts polled by Platts expect a rise of 950,000 barrels in crude supplies. The market will be looking specifically at inventories at the Cushing hub, said Schork. Oil futures have been under pressure because of rising inventories at Cushing, Okla., the delivery point for futures traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Overall, analysts at Credit Suisse said they "remain cautious on the near term prospects of crude oil, but think that medium term fundamentals remain supportive."

Reporter Myra P. Saefong is MarketWatch's assistant global markets editor in Tokyo.

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