Oil prices fall for second session as COVID-19 lockdown concerns cast pall over demand prospects

News Image

MG News | January 25, 2021 at 10:17 AM GMT+05:00

0:00

January 25, 2021: Oil prices slipped for a second straight session on Monday as renewed COVID-19 lockdowns raised fresh concerns about global fuel demand.

Brent crude futures for March fell 15 cents, or 0.3%, to $55.26 a barrel by 0158 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for March was at $52.19 a barrel, down 8 cents, or 0.2%.

"Signs of weaker demand weighed on the market," ANZ analysts said, pointing to lockdowns in Hong Kong, China, and possibly France as COVID-19 cases rise, restricting business activity and fuel consumption.

China reported a climb in new COVID-19 cases on Monday, casting a pall over demand prospects in the world's largest energy consumer, the main pillar of strength for global oil consumption.

Last Friday prices came under further pressure after data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed U.S. crude inventories surprisingly rose by 4.4 million barrels in the week to Jan. 15, versus expectations for a draw of 1.2 million barrels.

The number of oil and natural gas rigs added by U.S. energy firms rose for a ninth week in a row in the week to Jan. 22, but are still 52% below this time last year, data from Baker Hughes showed.

Some support for prices has come in recent weeks from additional production cuts from the world's top exporter, Saudi Arabia. But investors are watching for a resumption of talks between the United States and Iran on a nuclear accord - which could see Washington lifting sanctions on Tehran's oil exports, boosting supply.

Iran's oil minister said on Friday the country's oil exports have climbed in recent months and its sales of petroleum products to foreign buyers reached record highs despite U.S. sanctions.

On Sunday, Indonesia said its coast guard had seized the Iranian-flagged MT Horse and the Panamanian-flagged MT Freya vessels over suspected illegal fuel transfers off the country's waters.

Reuters

Related News

Name Price/Vol %Chg/NChg
KSE100 134,299.77
290.06M
0.39%
517.42
ALLSHR 84,018.16
764.12M
0.48%
402.35
KSE30 40,814.29
132.59M
0.33%
132.52
KMI30 192,589.16
116.24M
0.49%
948.28
KMIALLSHR 56,072.25
387.69M
0.32%
180.74
BKTi 36,971.75
19.46M
-0.05%
-16.94
OGTi 28,240.28
6.19M
0.21%
58.78
Symbol Bid/Ask High/Low
Name Last High/Low Chg/%Chg
BITCOIN FUTURES 118,140.00 119,450.00
115,635.00
4270.00
3.75%
BRENT CRUDE 70.63 70.71
68.55
1.99
2.90%
RICHARDS BAY COAL MONTHLY 97.50 0.00
0.00
1.10
1.14%
ROTTERDAM COAL MONTHLY 108.75 108.75
108.75
0.40
0.37%
USD RBD PALM OLEIN 998.50 998.50
998.50
0.00
0.00%
CRUDE OIL - WTI 68.75 68.77
66.50
2.18
3.27%
SUGAR #11 WORLD 16.56 16.60
16.20
0.30
1.85%

Chart of the Day


Latest News
July 13, 2025 at 10:26 AM GMT+05:00

K-Electric dispels rumours of peak hour changes


July 11, 2025 at 10:56 PM GMT+05:00

Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs2,300 per tola


July 11, 2025 at 05:49 PM GMT+05:00

PKR gains 10 paisa per USD


July 11, 2025 at 05:41 PM GMT+05:00

PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Serenade The Bourse


July 11, 2025 at 05:06 PM GMT+05:00

UBL doubles profit to Rs65bn in 1HCY25



Top 5 things to watch in this week

Pakistan Stock Movers
Name Last Chg/%Chg
Name Last Chg/%Chg