Oil Prices Bounce Back Ahead of Key Industry Reports and Fed Decision

Oil prices saw a slight increase after last week’s decline, as traders anticipate several significant industry reports and an upcoming Federal Reserve decision on interest rates.

Brent crude climbed back above $80 a barrel, recovering from a 2.5% drop last week. The recent recovery follows a dip in prices after OPEC and its allies announced plans to gradually increase oil output later this year. This announcement led to the largest reduction in net-bullish bets on the global benchmark ever recorded.

Key Industry Reports and Federal Reserve Decision

Traders are now focusing on upcoming monthly reports from OPEC and the International Energy Agency, set to be released on Tuesday and Wednesday. These reports are expected to provide insights into the oil market outlook for the remainder of the year, following the recent strategic moves by the producer group. Additionally, the Federal Reserve will announce its decision on interest rates mid-week.

Market Trends and Predictions

Since early April, crude oil prices have been dropping due to a weakening physical market and a diminishing geopolitical risk premium. After OPEC+ announced a rollback in output cuts, causing a price slump, officials clarified that the supply increase was provisional and could be paused if necessary.

Goldman Sachs analysts, including Daan Struyven, predict that strong consumer demand and increased transportation and cooling needs during the summer will lead to a significant market deficit in the third quarter. They maintain their price range forecast for Brent oil at $75-$90 per barrel.

Developments in Iraq

In other news, Iraq has indicated that it is close to finalizing an agreement with the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan and international oil companies to restart oil exports. These exports have been disrupted for over a year, and the agreement could help stabilize the region’s oil production.

By keeping an eye on these reports and decisions, traders hope to gain a clearer understanding of the market’s direction and make informed investment decisions.

Also Read: Oil Prices Rise as OPEC Considers Production Changes: What It Means for You?