Oil prices experienced a significant rise on Monday, climbing approximately 2% due to increased demand expectations during the Northern Hemisphere’s peak summer driving season and concerns over potential supply deficits caused by OPEC+ production cuts.
Brent and WTI Futures Surge
On its first day as the front-month contract, Brent futures for September delivery rose by $1.25, or 1.5%, reaching $86.25 per barrel by 11:48 a.m. EDT (1548 GMT). Similarly, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for August delivery increased by $1.27, or 1.6%, to $82.81 per barrel, setting the stage for its highest close since April 26.
Monthly Gains and OPEC+ Impact
Both Brent and WTI contracts saw approximately 6% gains in June, with Brent closing at an eight-week high on Friday. These increases followed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, deciding to extend significant oil output cuts well into 2025. This extension has led analysts to predict supply deficits in the third quarter as summer transportation and air-conditioning demands deplete fuel stockpiles.
Analyst Insights
“Demand indicators look solid, especially in the all-important U.S. market, and peak refinery demand for crude is now firmly in place and should last through August,” noted analysts at JP Morgan in a customer note. In the U.S., the world’s largest oil producer and consumer, both oil production and demand for major products rose to four-month highs in April, bolstering prices.
Investor Focus on U.S. Federal Reserve
Investors are now turning their attention to upcoming remarks from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday, the release of minutes from the central bank’s latest policy meeting on Wednesday, and U.S. nonfarm payrolls data due on Friday. The Fed’s aggressive interest rate hikes in 2022 and 2023 aimed to control inflation but also increased borrowing costs, potentially slowing economic growth and reducing oil demand.
Global Political Concerns
Tony Sycamore, an analyst at financial services company IG, highlighted that hopes of an interest rate cut by the Fed and rising political tensions in Europe, as well as between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, have supported oil prices. In France, political opponents of the far-right movement aimed to unite against Marine Le Pen’s National Rally after it made historic gains in a snap parliamentary election. In the U.S., top Democrats dismissed the idea of replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, urging focus on the implications of a potential return to power by former President Donald Trump.
Russia’s Oil Exports and Hurricane Season
In Russia, oil product exports from the Black Sea port of Tuapse are set to rise by nearly 60% in July compared to June. Traders are also closely monitoring the impact of hurricanes on oil and gas production and consumption in the Americas. Hurricane Beryl is currently moving across the Atlantic Ocean toward the Caribbean’s Windward Islands as an “extremely dangerous” storm, posing significant threats to communities with potential floods, storm surges, and life-threatening winds.