Oil steadies around $100
Oil prices are a little higher, with Brent hovering around $100 a barrel and WTI above $93. It’s been well supported this week by comments from Saudi Arabia Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman, who claimed there’s a disconnect between market pricing and fundamentals, suggesting OPEC+ could cut output in the future.
Suddenly the prospect of a nuclear deal between the US and Iran, or a global growth slowdown, isn’t quite the bearish development for oil that many hoped. Although in reality, the group was never going to sit back and watch the price tumble as the world was flooded with extra oil or demand growth stalled.
Gold still holds hope of $1,800
Gold is pulling back again ahead of Jerome Powell’s speech later on. A hawkish message that actually gets through to the markets could be a blow to the yellow metal as it may lift the dollar and US yields which have typically not been positive for it. That said, investors have been far more open to any remotely dovish message so this could be far more impactful and potentially bullish for gold, which will still have an eye on $1,800. A move lower could see support tested around $1,730.
This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.
Based in London, Craig Erlam joined OANDA in 2015 as a market analyst. With many years of experience as a financial market analyst and trader, he focuses on both fundamental and technical analysis while producing macroeconomic commentary.
His views have been published in the Financial Times, Reuters, The Telegraph and the International Business Times, and he also appears as a regular guest commentator on the BBC, Bloomberg TV, FOX Business and SKY News.
Craig holds a full membership to the Society of Technical Analysts and is recognised as a Certified Financial Technician by the International Federation of Technical Analysts.
