Iran has announced on Monday it had amassed more low-enriched uranium than permitted under its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, drawing a warning from US President Donald Trump that Tehran was “playing with fire”.
Crude Oil closed at its highest yet this year as OPEC and its partners committed to continuing production cuts until at least June, when they will meet to discuss an extension.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its Russia-led allies agreed on Dec. 7 to cut output by more than expected, despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce the price of crude.
The Saudis have been leading calls for the group to trim output, amid surging supply and fears that an economic slowdown will erode fuel demand. The oil-rich kingdom has previously indicated it wants the group to curb output by at least 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd).
A survey of 38 economists and analysts forecast Brent crude LCOc1 to average $74.50 a barrel in 2019, lower than the $76.88 outlook last month. The poll predicted Brent would average $73.20 in 2018, mostly in line with the $73 average for the global benchmark so far this year.
Gold Silver Reports (GSR) – Futures in New York as 0.4% Monday, extending a record decline. Oil was pulled 2.5% lower after the close amid a slide in equities, with President Donald Trump adding pressure with a tweet criticising the Saudi plan.
China’s government has told at least two of its state oil companies to avoid purchasing Iranian oil as the U.S. prepares to impose sanctions on the Persian Gulf state, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
The main focus is now on a retest of the year to date high (and 2011 low) around 75.15. Above here and the next technical resistance level will be the 61.8% retracement from 2014 highs around 79.51. To the downside, support is seen along the bullish channel base which, while intact, keeps focus on the further upside.