Pressured by concerns about weaker demand for fuel due to slower economic growth and forecasts of a further rise in U.S. crude inventories, the price of oil slipped further below $59 a barrel on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Signs from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that further curbs to oil supply could come in December lent support, as did wider market optimism about a potential Brexit deal.
Brent crude, the global benchmark, slipped 16 cents to $58.58 a barrel by 0850 GMT. U.S. crude gained 2 cents to $52.83.
“Prices are under pressure from increasing pessimism about the global economy and subsequent demand-side concerns,” says Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM.
In a bearish signal for demand, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday the U.S.-China trade war would cut 2019 global growth to its slowest since the 2008-2009 financial crisis.
“Prices remain under pressure,” said Craig Erlam, analyst at OANDA. “Oil inventory today from API may be notable albeit unlikely to have any major impact on the broader trend.”
The American Petroleum Institute (API) reports its weekly U.S. inventory numbers at 2030 GMT, ahead of Wednesday’s government stocks data. Analysts estimate US crude inventories rose by around 2.8 million barrels last week.
OPEC, Russia and other producers have a deal to cut oil output by 1.2 million barrels per day until March 2020. They meet on Dec 5-6 in Vienna to review the decision.
