- WTI is falling close to 4% on Monday on recession fears.
- Fed policymakers emphasized the need for further rate increases as inflation remains stickier.
- The US Dollar Index extended its gains and recorded a fresh 20-year high at 114.53, a headwind for oil prices.
On Monday, the US crude oil benchmark, also known as WTI (Western Texas Intermediate), drops for the second straight day after sliding from above the $80 per barrel figure to the mid $70-$80s range. At the time of writing, WTI is exchanging hands at $76.31 per barrel, down by 3.63%.
Oil prices fell on emerging recession fears
Worries about a global economic slowdown are mounting, as energy prices have shown. Last week’s 75 bps rate hike by the Fed, alongside another 425 bps of worldwide central banks, fueled worries of a recession. Therefore, WTI remains defensive, as lower demand implies lower prices.
Sources cited by Reuters said, “With more and more central banks being forced to take extraordinary measures no matter the cost to the economy, demand is going to take a hit which could help rebalance the oil market.”
Another factor weighing US crude oil prices is the rapid rise of the greenback. The US Dollar Index, a gauge of the buck’s value vs. a basket of six currencies, edges up 0.98% at 114.128, a headwind for oil and US dollar-denominated commodities.
Elsewhere, Fed officials crossed newswires on Monday. The Boston Fed President Susan Collins expressed that further tightening is needed to temper inflation and emphasized that the unemployment rate should rise to achieve the Fed goal. Echoing her comments was Cleveland’s Fed President Loretta Mester, alongside Atlanta’s Fed President Raphael Bostic.
Oil traders’ attention turns to further US economic to be released ahead of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies reunion, to be hosted on October 5. The US calendar will feature durable good orders, consumer confidence, and further Fed speaking, led by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, on Tuesday.
WTI Daily Chart
WTI Key Technical Levels
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD drops below 1.0800 after German Retail Sales data
EUR/USD has come under fresh selling pressure and trades below 1.0800 after the data from Germany showed that Retail Sales declined by 1.9% MoM in February. Resurgent US Dollar demand is adding to the downside in the pair. US data are next in focus.
GBP/USD stays weak near 1.2600 amid market caution
GBP/USD remains defensive near 1.2600 in European trading on Thursday. The hawkish tone from Fed Governor Christopher Waller keeps the US Dollar afloat amid a cautious trading environment ahead of key US data releases and the Good Friday trading lull.
Gold price holds strength ahead of US core PCE inflation
Gold price holds onto gains near $2,200 in Thursday’s European session. The precious metal exhibits firm footing ahead of the United States core PCE Price Index data for February, which will be published on Friday.
XRP price falls to $0.60 support as Ripple ruling doesn’t help Coinbase lawsuit against SEC
XRP programmatic sales ruling by Judge Torres was completely rejected by another US Court that ruled in favor of the SEC in a lawsuit against Coinbase.
Portfolio rebalancing and reflation trades emerge into Q2
Yesterday’s price action pointed at a possible end-of-quarter portfolio rebalancing as the session saw the laggards of the quarter like Apple and Tesla gain, and the stars like Microsoft and Nvidia retreat.