25 January 2024
Oil prices have reached an eight-week high, driven by a significant drop in U.S. stockpiles and China’s introduction of additional economic stimulus. West Texas Intermediate crude surpassed $76 a barrel, marking the highest level since early December. The U.S. witnessed its largest weekly decline in total oil stockpiles since 2016, with crude inventories dropping by over 9 million barrels. This reduction, coupled with China’s recent decision to cut the reserve-requirement ratio for banks, signals a potential boost in energy consumption from the world’s largest crude importer. Analysts are closely monitoring the situation, noting that geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea and potential further support measures from China could continue to impact oil markets significantly. While Citigroup Inc. cautions that a spike to $90 a barrel is not their main expectation, they acknowledge it as a possibility if current tensions escalate.