Oil notches first back-to-back monthly decline since 2020

Bloomberg

Oil falls for a second-consecutive month as a deteriorating demand outlook offset concerns over tight physical supplies.
West Texas Intermediate rises, bringing this week’s gain to around 4%. Futures nevertheless recorded their first back-to-back monthly decline since 2020 as fears of an economic slowdown fueled bearish sentiment across markets. The US economy shrank for a second quarter as rampant inflation undercut consumer spending. Citigroup says there are signs the oil market is moderating.
Still, Exxon Mobil Corp. doesn’t see any signs of major fuel demand destruction. “I wouldn’t tell you that we’re seeing something that would say we are in a recession, or near recession,” CEO Darren Woods said.
While oil has given up most of the gains seen following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February, the US benchmark is still up more than 30% this year. The surge in energy prices has underpinned oil producer earnings, with Exxon and Chevron Corp. joining Shell with record profits. A weaker dollar has also helped to boost commodity prices.
“The underlying fundamentals for oil still remain quite strong,” said Edward Bell, senior director of market economics at Emirates NBD Bank PJSC.
Oil production in Texas and New Mexico dipped in May, latest data from the US government showed, in the latest sign that growth is slowing the prolific Permian Basin. Growth has largely stalled even as producers add drilling rigs due to rising inflation in everything from labour to equipment costs.
The spread between WTI and Brent, also known as the arb, has widened as a reduction in Russian crude flows tightened markets in Europe. The global benchmark was at a premium of around $11 to US crude, compared with about $6 at the start of the month. The move is exacerbated by Brent crude’s September contract expiry, but the October spread is also wide at about $7 a barrel.
The US is optimistic that there could be some positive announcements from the Opec+ meeting next week, a senior Biden administration official said.
“With no major signs of fuel demand destruction, oil seems like it will soon find a home above the $100 a barrel mark,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at Oanda. “WTI was unable to hold onto the $100 level as profit-taking kicked in,” he added.