Oil slips as slower demand expectations weigh
Oil prices fell on Tuesday, extending losses from the previous session, as Saudi Arabia’s sharp cuts in crude contract prices for Asia sparked fears over slower demand, but strong Chinese economic data and U.S. output outages capped losses.
Brent crude futures declined 53 cents, or 0.73%, to $71.69 per barrel, after falling 39 cents on Monday.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled 94 cents, or 1.36%, lower at $68.35 per barrel, with no settlement price for Monday due to the Labor Day holiday in the United States.
At the same time, the U.S. economy created the fewest jobs in seven months in August as hiring in the leisure and hospitality sector stalled amid a resurgence in COVID-19 infections, which weighed on demand at restaurants and hotels.
Oil prices, however, were underpinned by strong Chinese economic indicators and continued outages of U.S. supply from Hurricane Ida.
China’s crude oil imports rose 8% in August from a month earlier, customs data showed, as refiners resumed purchases following the issue of new import quotas.
China’s economy got a boost as exports unexpectedly grew at a faster pace in August thanks to solid global demand, helping take some of the pressure off the world’s second-biggest economy as it navigates its way through headwinds from several fronts.
Reference: CNBC
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