Oil prices fell in morning trade on Tuesday on a strong dollar and concerns about further monetary tightening by the US Federal Reserve.
Brent, the benchmark for two thirds of the world’s oil, was trading 0.51 per cent lower at $83.64 a barrel at 12.47am UAE time.
West Texas Intermediate, the gauge that tracks US crude, was up 0.56 per cent at $76.77 a barrel.
"There is undoubtedly more optimism around the Chinese economy which will stimulate more demand this year but at the same time, sentiment is cooling on the global economy as interest rates are projected to go a little higher than previously anticipated," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at Oanda.
"This was always likely to be a quarter of big swings in sentiment as it was too much to ask for the inflation data to simply retreat back without any setbacks along the way."
Last week’s US economic data pointed to stubborn inflation in the world’s largest economy, making a case for larger interest rate increases.
Earlier this month, the Fed increased interest rates by 25 basis points — the eighth increase since March 2022. It also hinted at the possibility of further rate increases in the future.
The current target range for interest rates set by the Fed is 4.5 per cent to 4.75 per cent, which is about 50 bps below the end-of-year projection of 5.1 per cent.
Markets are also awaiting the minutes of the Fed’s February policy meeting, due on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index — a measure of the value of the greenback against a weighted basket of major currencies — was up 0.19 per cent at 104.06.
A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies.
On Monday, the Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister said the Opec+ group of 23 oil-producing countries could alter its output policy if market conditions changed.
“We are flexible enough to adjust Opec+ decisions if needed,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said at a conference in the kingdom, according to a Bloomberg report.
At its meeting this month, the group agreed to stick to existing production output cuts of 2 million barrels per day.
However, the belief that Opec+ can keep prices supported “wherever they want is waning as global growth outlooks take a turn for the worse”, said Mr Moya.
“As long as supplies seem ample, Opec+ will be playing catch-up to keep the market tight.”
Global oil demand climbed in December by 1.3 million bpd to hit a record, driven by rising consumption in Japan, Indonesia and South Korea, according to data from the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (Jodi).
Meanwhile, global crude production in the month declined by 274,000 bpd to a five-month low, led by losses in the US and the UK, Jodi said.
On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund said that although there are continuing challenges for regional economies such as China due to the slowing global momentum, the easing of economic headwinds was a positive sign pointing to a stronger recovery in Asia this year.
Economies in the Asia-Pacific region are set to grow by 4.7 per cent this year, up from 3.8 per cent in 2022, the fund has said.
The global economy is expected to experience growth of 2.9 per cent in the current year, following a 3.4 per cent expansion in 2022, according to IMF’s Economic Outlook released in January.
The American Petroleum Institute is expected to publish its weekly US crude inventories report today.
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
MATCH INFO
Borussia Dortmund 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Kimmich 43')
Man of the match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
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Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
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Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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The specs: McLaren 600LT
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RESULT
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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