Active Stocks
Mon Mar 18 2024 15:55:53
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 149.60 5.69%
  1. Tata Motors share price
  2. 972.20 2.75%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 417.40 -0.51%
  1. State Bank Of India share price
  2. 730.70 -0.18%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,082.00 0.32%
Business News/ Money / Calculators/  Oil falls below $110 on growth worries
BackBack

Oil falls below $110 on growth worries

Brent falls $2 a barrel to a low of $109.42, before recovering to trade around $109.75 by 1035 GMT

Initial enthusiasm has faded over planned economic stimulus measures and steps by central banks in the US, Europe and Japan to boost asset markets. Photo: AFPPremium
Initial enthusiasm has faded over planned economic stimulus measures and steps by central banks in the US, Europe and Japan to boost asset markets. Photo: AFP

London: Brent crude oil fell below $110 a barrel on Monday, dragged down by a firm dollar and worries over weak global economic growth after disappointing German data.

Initial enthusiasm has faded over planned economic stimulus measures and steps by central banks in the US, Europe and Japan to boost asset markets as data has shown growth rates still slow and consumer confidence ebbing.

German business sentiment dropped for the fifth successive month in September, Munich-based think tank Ifo said on Monday, a sign companies are being hit by the euro zone debt crisis which is squeezing demand and investment.

Brent crude futures for November fell $2 a barrel to a low of $109.42, before recovering slightly to trade around $109.75 by 1035 GMT. US crude was $1.30 lower at $91.59 per barrel.

Brent dropped 4.5% last week, while US crude lost 6.2% on demand worries and a pledge by Saudi Arabia to supply enough oil to the market to keep prices down.

“Slowing economic growth is the major concern for oil markets," said Olivier Jakob, energy consultant at Petromatrix in Zug, Switzerland.

The Ifo business climate index, based on a monthly survey of some 7,000 firms, fell to 101.4 in September from 102.3 in August, defying expectations for a slight rise. A Reuters poll of 45 economists had forecast a slight increase to 102.5.

“September’s fall in the German Ifo business survey is a reminder that even the euro zone’s strongest economies are suffering from a serious economic downturn," said Jennifer McKeown, economist at Capital Economics.

GROWTH VS STIMULUS

A firm dollar, which makes commodities denominated in the greenback more expensive for investors in other currencies, also deterred buying, adding to the pressure on oil futures.

The dollar index rose 0.5% as the euro reeled under increasing uncertainties in Spain and Greece, and other Asian currencies gave way to profit booking.

Financial markets have been supported for most of the month by the announcement of a third-round of quantitative easing by the US Federal Reserve (Fed), increasing tensions in the Middle East between Iran and Israel and delays in North Sea oil shipments.

The Fed and the Bank of Japan have both launched fresh monetary easing measures in recent weeks, while the European Central Bank has adopted a plan to buy bonds from euro zone states requesting assistance to help drive down borrowing costs.

While all markets rallied following the announcements, the focus has once again shifted to worries on the euro zone debt crisis, as well as weakness in the US and key Asian consumers such as China and India.

Escalating tension in the Middle East offered some support to prices, after Iran hinted at the possibility of a pre-emptive strike on Israel.

“Iran will not start any war but it could launch a pre-emptive attack if it was sure that the enemies are putting the final touches to attack it," Amir Ali Hajizadeh, a brigadier general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told Iran’s state-run radio on Sunday.

Daniel Jaeggi, co-founder of Swiss-based commodities house Mercuria Energy Trading, said on Monday that oil prices still reflected “the Iranian risk premium", but suggested that lower demand should put pressure on the market.

“We are looking at a time of less demand," Jaeggi told Reuters on the sidelines of an industry conference.

“Overall, I think Brent around $100 (per barrel)—somewhere around $95 and $100—given the macro-economic circumstances we have, is a lot more reasonable than $120."

Jaeggi said investors should listen to Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali al-Naimi, who said this month that high oil prices were not supported by fundamentals. Reuters

Ramya Venugopal in Singapore contributed to the story.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 24 Sep 2012, 09:23 AM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App