Brent oil prices bounced back

Brent oil prices bounced back from the multi-month low touched on Wednesday, hedging just over the $80 per barrel level in early morning trading. Crude prices suffered this week, dropping more than 5% on future demand concerns, as well as lowered perceived supply risks from the Israel and Gaza situation. Inflation data from China, the world’s top oil importer, revealed a disinflationary trend that could be the precursor to a slowdown in economic activity that may lead to reduced energy consumption. At the same time, US crude inventories are growing, reaching the highest level since February. Completing the bearish scenario for crude is the growing sentiment amongst traders that the conflict in Gaza is unlikely to escalate and disrupt the global oil supply.

Ricardo Evangelista – Senior Analyst, ActivTrades