Market News

By Yongchang Chin

(Bloomberg) -- Oil fell, deepening a weekly loss, on mixed economic and consumption data from China, the lingering impact from a stronger US dollar and concerns that the market will flip to a supply glut next year.

Global benchmark Brent dipped below $72 a barrel in London and was down by more than 2% for the week. The International Energy Agency said on Thursday it expects a surplus next year as demand growth in China slows, while global output swells. The glut will be even bigger if OPEC+ presses on with plans to revive halted production.

In China, while figures on Friday showed some encouraging signs for the wider economy after Beijing’s latest round of stimulus, apparent oil demand still declined in October from a year earlier. In addition, local refiners processed 4.6% less oil than in the same month of 2023.

Crude has been alternating between weekly gains and losses since mid-October, buffeted by tensions in the Middle East, the prospect of oversupply, and shifts in currency markets. Year-to-date, Brent has retreated by more than 6%, after touching its lowest since 2021 in September.

“While there are some positive signs in the broader data, clearly we are not out of the woods yet,” said Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy for ING Groep NV, referring to the Chinese economic figures. “Industrial production was weaker than expected; oil-specific numbers were also not great, with both refinery activity and implied demand weaker.”

Other commodities such as copper have also struggled this week as a gauge of the dollar rallied to the highest in two years, powering upward in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s election victory. Despite a retreat on Friday, the US currency is set for its seventh weekly gain, making raw materials priced in the greenback less appealing.

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--With assistance from Jack Wittels.