Oil prices dropped more than 2% on Friday. The primary reason for this was the easing of hurricane risks in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, China's economic stimulus measures failed to meet market expectations. As a result, oil traders grew concerned about weaker demand.
The storm, Hurricane Rafael, initially led to the shutdown of over 23% of oil production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. However, the storm's weakening trajectory helped calm fears of prolonged supply disruptions. Experts noted that the hurricane was shifting further into the Gulf's center, reducing its impact on oil production. This news contributed to a reduction in oil prices.
At the same time, China's recent economic measures disappointed oil traders. While the government introduced packages to ease local government debt, it did not directly address oil demand concerns. This left traders questioning the impact of the stimulus on future oil consumption in the world's largest oil importer. Oil prices felt the weight of these concerns, leading to a decline.
Despite the losses on Friday, saw a slight increase of 1% over the week. The rise was attributed to expectations that the incoming U.S. administration might tighten sanctions on Iran and Venezuela. These actions could potentially lead to a reduction in global oil supply, giving traders some hope despite other concerns.
The drop in oil prices underscores the volatility of the global energy market. While the easing of hurricane risks helped stabilize production in the U.S., China’s weak stimulus measures dampened demand expectations. Moving forward, traders will closely monitor both geopolitical developments and weather patterns to assess the future direction of oil prices.
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Oil prices drop by 2% as hurricane risk eases in the U.S. Gulf and China’s stimulus fails to boost oil demand. Explore the latest market
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