Morning Briefing: Crude oil surged 10% on re-opening optimism and higher demand

Avatar photo

Vrasidas Neofytou
Head of Investment Research

See all articles
Morning Briefing: Crude oil surged 10% on re-opening optimism and higher demand

Crude oil prices have surged 10% since the start of the week on expectations that fuel demand will recover as more countries in Europe and Asia as well as some US states announced they would begin easing lockdowns and social-distancing restrictions and restart their economic activities. The rally in energy shares helped US markets to erase early session losses on renewed US-China trade tensions.


Coronavirus Update:

Global cases: More than 3.5 million
Global deaths: More than 251,000
Most cases reported: United States (over 1.17 million), Spain (over 218,000), Italy (over 211,900), United Kingdom (over 191,800), France (over 169,500).


Crude oil

Crude oil contracts surged 2% on Tuesday, extending Monday’s 8% gains. WTI crude price climbed to $22 per barrel, while Brent price broke above the $28 level, hitting 3-weeks highs. Energy sentiment has improved as analysts believe that the crude oil market had bottomed and it been on the slow road to recovery.

Fig.1, Brent crude price, Daily chart

In addition to the improved demand site, global supply has been coming down as the OPEC+ production cut deal of 9.7 million bpd started on May 1st. The production shutdowns in global deep-sea projects combined with cuts in shale oil and oil sands petroleum industries in US and Canada had removed more than 2 million bpd at the beginning of May amid the lower oil prices.


Market Reaction:

US stock markets settled slightly higher on Monday, erasing earlier losses on concerns about renewed US-China trade tensions combined with losses on airlines shares.

The indices managed to rebound at the end of the session, supported from the rally on energy and technology shares amid the growing optimism around the gradual re-opening of global economies.

Fig.2: Dow Jones index, 2-hour chart

Dow Jones index dropped as low as 23.250 at early in the session, losing more than 7% since it peaked at 25.000 last Thursday, before it bounced near 24.000.

Asian Pacific markets rose on Tuesday following the overnight gains from Wall Street. Hang Seng and Australian indices led the gains with 1% while markets in China, Japan and South Korea are closed for holidays.

Gold price rose above $1.700 per ounce on Monday on geopolitical worries. Investors flew to the safety of the yellow metal after the resumption of the trade tension between US and China.


Forex Market:

The US dollar was stronger across the board, rising for a second day on risk aversion sentiment. The greenback has received safety flows on the rising geopolitical risks and weak global economic data. The DXY-dollar index climbed up to 99.50 against a basket of currencies after it dropped near 98.50, last Friday on stimulus plans from the Federal Reserve.

Fig.3: USD/CNH, Daily chart

The US dollar hit fresh monthly highs of 7.15 against the Chinese Yuan (CNH) on rising fears on US-China trade tensions. The pair jumped from last Thursday’ lows of 7.05 after President Trump warned for new tariffs on China. The pair approached the multi-year highs of 7.20 reached during the peak of the trade war last September, as investors raised concern for resumption of trade tensions and tariffs.


Economic Calendar for May 05, 2020 (GMT+ 3:00):

Important Information: This communication is marketing material. The views and opinions contained herein are those of the author(s) on this page, and may not necessarily represent views expressed or reflected in other Exclusive Capital communications, strategies or funds. This material is intended to be for information purposes only and is not intended as promotional material in any respect. The material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Read our detailed Marketing Communication Disclaimer

SHARE

CONNECT WITH OUR TEAM

Explore the ways in which we can help you achieve your investment goals.

OUR PARTNERS
bdo

EXTERNAL AUDITOR

ey

LEGAL ADVISOR

lgt

CUSTODIAN BANK

efg

APPROVED PARTNER

Raiffeisen

DEPOSITORY BANK

Prime Fund

GROUP MEMBER