empty
25.02.2021 04:21 PM
Oil prices confidently rise despite negative factors

This image is no longer relevant

Early today, oil prices showed positive dynamic amid expectations of higher demand. Market participants are looking forward to a jump in oil demand after the stabilization of weather in the US after the recent abnormal frosts. Investors' sentiment was not spoiled even by the negative flash data on the US oil reserves.

According to the recent data received from the US Energy Department, during the week that ended on February 19, oil inventories advanced by 1.28 million barrels. Preliminary estimates provided by analysts at Bloomberg showed even a bigger jump of 6.5 million barrels. At the same time, experts at S&P Global Platts had expected a drop of 4.8 million barrels. However, neither of the forecasts came true. In general, the situation does not look positive. Nevertheless, market participants still hope for the best.

Total oil refining volumes decreased by 2.6 million barrels per day. The Mexican coast of the US was hit more than other regions. Here, about 90% of the capacity was stopped due to adverse weather conditions and the strongest snow storm. Moreover, this forced reduction in the production of crude oil exceeded a decline in oil production, which just in one week reached the level of 1.1 million barrels per day.

At the same time, market participants almost ignored all these bearish signals. The bullish sentiment remained the same amid optimistic predictions concerning the future slide in the number of new virus cases. The active battle against the coronavirus pandemic has boosted investors' sentiment.

Even now, the mass vaccination campaigns are gaining momentum. The vaccine is becoming more available for people. This led to the lifting of some restrictive measures imposed to curb the virus spread. All this may push demand for oil and fuel significantly higher.

In some countries, people have already begun travelling more than during the pandemic. This, in turn, is boosting demand for fuel to the pre-crisis levels. In particular, fuel consumption in China and India has already reached the levels logged in 2019.

European countries expect such a rise as early as next month. However, the situation has already changed for the better. According to the forecasts, in February, consumption of petrol may advance by 60 thousand barrels a day. At least, mobility indices in five largest EU countries, including the UK, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, are confidently moving up. At the moment, they are just 37.7% lower than before the crisis. Notably, just a week ago, the difference was 40.4%.

Brent futures for April delivery inched up by 0.6% or $0.4 to settle at $67.44 per barrel. On Wednesday, Brent crude closed with a rise of 2.6% or $1.67. As a result, the oil contracts hit $67.07 per barrel, the level last seen almost two months ago.

At the same time, WTI futures for April delivery grew by 0.46% or $0.29 to trade at $63.51 per barrel. On Wednesday, the asset closed the trading session in the green zone with the total rise of 2.5% or $1.55. Thus, the price reached its two-month high of $63.22 per barrel.

Maria Shablon,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

US Market News Digest for March 26

Top banks are split on the S&P 500 outlook: the market remains in a zone of uncertainty. The S&P 500 is holding above a key level, but the rally lacks

Irina Maksimova 10:47 2025-03-26 UTC+2

US indices rise despite KB Home

On Tuesday, the US stock market showed moderate growth: shares of the giant Apple rushed up, while Nvidia shares went down. Investors closely reacted to fresh data on public sentiment

Thomas Frank 09:02 2025-03-26 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for March 25

Yesterday, the S&P 500 unexpectedly put on a show, jumping 1.76% to reach 5,769, a level last seen on January 13th. As if following a well-rehearsed script, the Marlin oscillator

Natalia Andreeva 11:50 2025-03-25 UTC+2

Gold Rally, Crypto Boost: March Becomes Market Breakout Month

S&P Composite PMI at 53.5 in March vs. 51.6 in February Lockheed Martin Falls After Brokerage Downgrade Crypto Stocks Rise on Bitcoin Gains European Stocks Rise Ahead of Key German

Thomas Frank 10:57 2025-03-25 UTC+2

Market at crossroads: falling Dow Transports and rising Europe

The Dow Jones Transportation Average has dropped more than 17% from its November peak. Meanwhile, European equities are climbing ahead of upcoming business activity surveys. Next week brings key reports

12:39 2025-03-24 UTC+2

Financial wars: oil, gas, and sanctions in great power game

In the world of finance, every day is a battle for market dominance. Just as traders celebrate rising prices, the tides can turn in an instant. On Friday, natural

Natalia Andreeva 12:39 2025-03-24 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for March 24

Investor frustration with the Trump administration's trade approach has triggered capital flight and negatively impacted the S&P 500. Hopes for more lenient tariff action briefly lifted market sentiment

Ekaterina Kiseleva 11:21 2025-03-24 UTC+2

Falling Dow Transports, Gaining Europe: Market at Crossroads

While the broader US stock market is showing signs of recovery, a warning light for investors is still flashing as the Dow Jones Transports signals growing concerns about the health

Thomas Frank 10:49 2025-03-24 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for March 21

US stock market in limbo despite positive economic data such as unexpected growth in existing home sales On Thursday, US benchmark stock indices closed in the red: the Dow Jones

Natalia Andreeva 14:48 2025-03-21 UTC+2

Fed's actions to keep BTC from falling? BTC seeks stability

Some analysts believe that the Federal Reserve's current monetary policy—particularly its decision to hold interest rates steady and slow down quantitative tightening (QT)—could provide meaningful support for Bitcoin. According

Larisa Kolesnikova 13:11 2025-03-21 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.