Oil Rebounds From 12-Year Low As Equities Rally, Shorts Cover

Reuters

NEW YORK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Oil prices rebounded over $1 a barrel from 12-year lows on Thursday, their biggest daily gain this year, as rallying financial markets gave some bearish traders reason to take profits on record short positions.

U.S. crude vaulted back toward $30 per barrel as hopes for easier monetary policy from Europe fueled a recovery in stock markets in European and on Wall Street.

Prices did not falter on U.S. data showing a larger-than-expected rise in record high crude and gasoline stockpiles. Instead, the report triggered buying among traders who had feared the figures could be even worse.

Still, few traders expected a quick recovery from this year's slump of more than 25 percent, amid pressure from a deepening supply glut and signs of economic weakness in China - the world's No. 2 oil consumer.

"The fundamentals are still weak and you still have worries about economic growth and its impact on fuel demand, so this is probably a sign that things have been overdone more than anything else," said Gene McGillian, analyst at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut.

He said the market was going to be vulnerable to small turnarounds, given this year's freefall.

Benchmark Brent futures for March delivery rose $1.37 to settle at $29.25 a barrel, a 4.9 percent gain. U.S. crude rose $1.18 to settle 4.2 percent higher at $29.53 per barrel.


123

View Full Article

WHAT DO YOU THINK?


Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.


Most Popular Articles