- WTI climbs as China unveils new measures to stimulate consumption.
- Houthis take responsibility for attacking the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier.
- Oil prices gain support amid waning optimism for a quick resolution to the Ukraine war.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price extends its winning streak for a second consecutive session, trading around $67.40 per barrel during Asian market hours on Monday. The gains come as crude prices strengthen following China’s, the world's largest oil importer, announcement of new measures to boost consumption.
On Sunday, Beijing announced a special initiative aimed at reviving domestic consumption. The plan includes wage increases, incentives to boost household spending, and efforts to stabilize stock and real estate markets.
Oil prices also received support from escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have raised concerns over supply disruptions. On Sunday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack involving 18 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, targeting the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its escorting warships in the northern Red Sea.
Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed that the United States (US) would continue targeting Yemen’s Houthis until they cease their attacks on shipping. The Iran-backed group, in turn, has vowed to escalate its retaliation in response to recent US strikes.
Additionally, crude Oil prices found support from fading hopes for a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine, which could have led to increased Russian energy supplies to Western markets. However, discussions on a potential ceasefire may take place this week, as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to engage in talks.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, stated on Sunday that he anticipates the two leaders will speak, adding that Putin “accepts the philosophy” of Trump’s ceasefire proposal, according to *The Guardian*. Last week, the US and Ukraine proposed a 30-day ceasefire to Russia, with Putin reportedly showing support for the initiative.
WTI Oil FAQs
WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media.
Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa.
The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency.
OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.
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
AUD/USD faces the next hurdle at 0.6400
AUD/USD rose markedly and approached the key 0.6400 hurdle at the beginning of the week, always in response to rising weakness in the US Dollar and hopes of fresh stimulus in China.
EUR/USD keeps the upside target at 1.1000
EUR/USD extended further Friday’s recovery and traded at shouting distance from the YTD peaks near 1.0950 in response to increased selling pressure in the Greenback and the improved political scenario in Germany.
Gold consolidates around $3,000 ahead of Fed
Gold prices has started the week on a positive tone and maintains their trade around the key $3,000 mark per troy ounce on the back of the modest pullback in the Greenback and mixed US yields across the curve,
Crypto markets could gain $1 trillion as Gold price reaches $3,000: Tokenized-Gold expert explains
Tokenized-Gold assets hit a $1.8 billion market cap on Monday after the Gold (XAU) price marked new all-time highs above $3,000 per troy ounce. In an exclusive interview with FXStreet, RAAC CEO Kevin Rusher explains how tokenized Gold assets could impact the next crypto market recovery phase.
Five Fundamentals for the week: Fed leads central bank parade as uncertainty remains extreme Premium
Central bank bonanza – perhaps its is not as exciting as comments from the White House, but central banks still have sway. They have a chance to share insights about the impact of tariffs, especially when they come from the world's most powerful central bank, the Fed.
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.