Energy
0

WTI Prices Decline Further

WTI Prices Decline Further
WTI Prices Decline Further

Oil prices extended losses early on Wednesday, as worries of slowing demand from top oil importer China after the release of weaker-than-expected economic data outweighed some positive progress on the US debt ceiling bill.
Brent crude futures for August delivery slipped 15 cents to $73.56 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 14 cents to $69.32 a barrel, with earlier gains reversed after China manufacturing data was released, Reuters reported.
Both benchmarks fell by more than 4% on Tuesday.
Brent's July contract, which expires on Wednesday, and the US benchmark were on track for monthly declines of more than 7% and 9%, respectively.
China's manufacturing activity contracted faster than expected in May on weakening demand, with the official manufacturing purchasing managers' index down to 48.8 from 49.2 in April. The outcome lagged a forecast of 49.4.
"With China's industrial output and fixed-asset investment growing more slowly than expected last month, markets are worried that China's commodity demand is weakening more quickly than anticipated," said Vivek Dhar, director of commodities research at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
"The current pessimism surrounding China's commodity demand stands in contrast to the optimism at the beginning of this year," he added.

Add new comment

Read our comment policy before posting your viewpoints

Financialtribune.com