- WTI recovers to $77.50 on the weaker of the US Dollar.
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) said the crude market could be in surplus throughout 2024.
- The escalating Middle East geopolitical tension might lift WTI prices as it disrupts crude supplies.
- Oil traders will monitor the US January Producer Price Index (PPI), due on Friday.
Western Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $77.50 on Friday. WTI prices edge higher after the weaker-than-expected US Retail Sales data raise hope that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will soon start cutting interest rates in coming months.
On Thursday, the US Retail Sales for January fell 0.8% MoM from a 0.4% rise in the previous reading, below the market consensus 0.1% decline. That being said, lower interest rates have caused oil prices to rise which translates to more demand for oil as activity increases with lower costs.
Meanwhile, the rising geopolitical tension in the Middle East might boost WTI prices as it disrupts crude supplies Israel launched extensive and lethal airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, in response to a deadly missile attack on northern Israel. Israeli leaders have warned that they would take considerably stronger military action in Lebanon if the cross-border violence continues.
On the other hand, the International Energy Agency (IEA) expects that the crude oil will be in excess in 2024. The IEA stated that global oil consumption would rise by +1.2 million bpd in 2024, almost half the pace seen last year. This, in turn, might cap the upside of WTI prices.
Oil traders will keep an eye on the US Producer Price Index (PPI) for January on Friday. Later in the day, the Fed's Barr and Daly are set to speak. These events could significantly impact the USD-denominated WTI price. Oil traders will take cues from the data and find trading opportunities around WTI prices.
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 bounces off 1.1300 neighborhood; shows resilience below 23.6% Fibo.
EUR/USD drifts lower for the second straight day amid a further USD recovery from a multi-year low. The technical setup favors bulls and warrants caution before positioning for a deeper corrective fall. A sustained break and acceptance below 1.1300 could pave the way for some meaningful decline.
GBP/USD weakens below 1.3300 as US Dollar rises
GBP/USD extended its losses during Wednesday’s Asian session, trading around 1.3300 after pulling back from a seven-month high of 1.3424 recorded in the previous session. The pair weakened as investor appetite shifted back toward US assets, including the US Dollar, buoyed by a more optimistic tone from US President Donald Trump.
Gold price sticks to intraday losses amid positive risk tone; still holds comfortably above $3,300
Gold price moves away from the all-time peak touched on Tuesday amid receding safe-haven demand. Easing US-China tensions remains supportive of the risk-on impulse and weighs on the XAU/USD pair. The downside for the commodity seems limited as the USD bulls seem reluctant amid Fed rate cut bets.
Dogecoin lead double-digit gains across meme coins, with Shiba Inu, PEPE and BONK skyrocketing to new monthly highs
Top meme coins Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, PEPE and BONK lead the meme coin sector with double-digit gains on Wednesday following the crypto market recovery.
Five fundamentals for the week: Traders confront the trade war, important surveys, key Fed speech Premium
Will the US strike a trade deal with Japan? That would be positive progress. However, recent developments are not that positive, and there's only one certainty: headlines will dominate markets. Fresh US economic data is also of interest.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.