Oil was little changed as trading thinned before the US Thanksgiving holiday, with the focus on an upcoming OPEC+ meeting that has been delayed until December 5.
Author of the article:
Bloomberg News
Yongchang Chin
Published Nov 27, 2024 • Last updated 6 days ago • 1 minute read
Oil drill pipes in Baku, Azerbaijan. Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg Photo by Andrey Rudakov /Bloomberg(Bloomberg) — Oil was little changed as trading thinned before the US Thanksgiving holiday, with the focus on an upcoming OPEC+ meeting that has been delayed until December 5.
Article content
Article content
Global benchmark Brent was near $73 a barrel after ending just 2 cents higher on Wednesday, with West Texas Intermediate below $69. OPEC+ is widely expected to once again delay restoring production when it next meets, to offset concerns about an anticipated glut next year.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
The meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday, has been pushed back by four days, according to delegates who asked not to be identified. The group had earlier in the week started talks on delaying an increase to supply.
Oil has been caught in a tight range since mid-October, with prices buffeted by geopolitical risks in the Middle East and Ukraine, Donald Trump’s presidential election victory and expectations of a glut in 2025. US trading has quietened before the holiday, with just over 500,000 lots of WTI changing hands on Wednesday — almost 40% less than the year-to-date average.
“Crude may have already baked in a small deferral in OPEC+ tapering” its production cuts, said Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights in Singapore. “A decision to proceed with the boost from Jan. 1 or something as drastic as an indefinite postponement” would be a surprise for markets, she added.
Meanwhile, US crude inventories fell by 1.8 million barrels last week, snapping a three-week run of gains, according to Energy Information Administration data.
Widely watched timespreads have also strengthened. The gap between Brent’s two nearest contracts was 54 cents a barrel in a bullish backwardation pattern, when the prompt contract trades at a premium over the following one. The difference was 29 cents at the beginning of last week.
To get Bloomberg’s Energy Daily newsletter into your inbox, click here.
Article content