Oil higher despite weak Chinese PMI
Oil prices are continuing to edge higher at the start of the week, albeit at a much slower pace with Brent now not far from $100 a barrel. OPEC+ may be comfortable with that after slashing output targets by two million barrels per day but I’m not sure anyone else will be.
The Chinese PMI data overnight highlighted the challenges facing the world’s largest crude importer as it tries to balance its zero-Covid policy with economic growth. That may have helped take some steam out of the rally today but it didn’t last.
Gold tumbles below $1,700
Gold prices have slipped by more than 1%, far outweighing the modest rally in the dollar at the start of the week. The yellow metal is on course for the fourth day of losses amid a resurgent greenback and dwindling faith in slower monetary tightening. Yields are up around the world today and that’s going to be further pressuring gold. A move back below $1,700 on Friday is another worrying move which could wipe out any enthusiasm generated during the late-September, early-October rally.
Back below $20,000
Bitcoin is also struggling at the start of the week after breaking back below $20,000 on Friday and failing to recapture those losses over the weekend. Ultimately, little has changed though. The cryptocurrency has been fluctuating around $20,000 for months and that remains the case now.
This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.
His views have been published in the Financial Times, Reuters, The Telegraph and the International Business Times, and he also appears as a regular guest commentator on the BBC, Bloomberg TV, FOX Business and SKY News.
Craig holds a full membership to the Society of Technical Analysts and is recognised as a Certified Financial Technician by the International Federation of Technical Analysts.
