Get 40% Off
⚠ Earnings Alert! Which stocks are poised to surge?
See the stocks on our ProPicks radar. These strategies gained 19.7% year-to-date.
Unlock full list

Crude oil futures decline with Fed, U.S. supply data in focus

Published 11/19/2013, 09:57 AM
Updated 11/19/2013, 09:57 AM
Investing.com - Crude oil futures declined on Tuesday, as growing concerns about rising U.S. inventories and ongoing uncertainty over the duration of the Federal Reserve’s stimulus program weighed.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light sweet crude futures for delivery in January traded at USD93.37 a barrel during European morning trade, down 0.35%.

New York-traded oil futures traded in a range between USD93.23 a barrel, the daily low and a session high of USD93.90 a barrel.

The January contract settled 0.86% lower on Monday to end at USD93.68 a barrel.

Oil futures were likely to find support at USD92.51 a barrel, the low from November 14 and resistance at USD95.22 a barrel, the high from November 12.

U.S. crude prices have been on a downward trend in recent weeks amid concerns the U.S. government shutdown created a drag on economic growth and eroded demand in the world’s largest oil consumer.

Total U.S. crude oil inventories stood at 388.1 million barrels as of last week, the highest since June.

The American Petroleum Institute will release its inventories report later in the day, while Wednesday’s government report could show crude stockpiles rose by 100,000 barrels.

Sentiment was also dampened amid ongoing uncertainty over the direction of U.S. monetary policy.

Investors looked ahead to a speech from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke later in the day for further indications on the future course of U.S. monetary policy. The central bank is set to release the minutes of its October policy meeting on Wednesday.

The Fed’s stimulus program is viewed by many investors as a key driver in boosting the price of commodities as it tends to depress the value of the dollar.

Oil prices came under additional pressure after the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development cut its forecast for 2014 global growth to 3.6% from a previous estimate of 4%, warning that the outlook for emerging markets is deteriorating.

Elsewhere, on the ICE Futures Exchange, Brent oil futures for January delivery fell 0.75% to trade at USD107.68 a barrel, with the spread between the Brent and crude contracts standing at USD14.31 a barrel.

Traders focused on a resumption of talks between Iran and major powers scheduled for November 20 in Geneva. Talks aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program and relaxing sanctions against the oil producer stalled earlier in the month.

Trade sanctions slapped on Iran due to its alleged nuclear ambitions have taken out more than one million barrels per day of oil from the global market.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.