Oil drops more than 3% on COVID-19 rise in Asia, inflation fears
Oil prices fell by over $2 on Wednesday on renewed demand concerns as coronavirus cases in Asia rise and on fears rising inflation might lead the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, which could limit economic growth.
Brent crude futures fell $2.22, or 3.2%, to $66.49 per barrel. It settled 1.1% lower on Tuesday after briefly climbing above $70 earlier in the session.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped $2.30, or 3.5%, to $63.19 per barrel, following a 1.2% fall on Tuesday.
Brent’s rise to $70 was driven by optimism over the reopening of the U.S. and European economies, among the world’s biggest oil consumers.
But it later retreated on fears of slowing fuel demand in Asia as COVID-19 cases surge in India, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand, prompting a new wave of movement restrictions.
Despite this, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said oil prices were stable and the market had roughly balanced, with demand slightly exceeding supply.
Uncertainties over inflation also prompted investors to reduce exposure to riskier assets like oil.
Westpac economist Justin Smirk said speculation that the Federal Reserve might raise rates because of inflation fears weighed on the outlook for growth and in turn on commodities demand.
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