Oil drops more than 7% in worst day since September
(PUBLISHED THU, MAR 18 20211:37 AM EDTUPDATED THU, MAR 18 20212:40 PM EDT)
Oil prices sunk for a fifth day running on Thursday on a stronger dollar, a further increase in U.S. crude and fuel inventories and the weight of the ever-present COVID-19 pandemic.
Brent crude slid 6.94% to settle at $63.28 per barrel. U.S. oil settled 7.12%, or $4.60, lower at $60 per barrel, after shedding 0.3% in the previous session. Both contracts are down 6% over the past five days.
“Short-term developments - stuttering vaccine rollouts and the build in U.S. oil inventories - are driving sentiment, but the longer-term oil outlook is still encouraging,” said PVM Oil Associates analyst Tamas Varga.
“Yesterday’s U.S. Federal Reserve meeting provided a boost to equities ... U.S. economic growth has been revised upwards while unemployment is expected to decline.”
A sharp rise in the value of the dollar after the Fed meeting has also driven the oil sell-off.
Government data on Wednesday showed U.S. crude inventories have risen for four straight weeks after severe cold weather forced shutdowns at refineries in the south. An industry report estimating a decline had raised hopes of a halt to the gains.
U.S. crude inventories rose by 2.4 million barrels last week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday, a day after the American Petroleum Institute (API) estimated there had been a 1 million barrel decline.
Varga added the market would be waiting for U.S. manufacturing data next week for further indications on the health of the world’s largest economy.
“Lower crude demand from Asian buyers as a result of upcoming refinery maintenance and probably higher prices is also something not helping crude at the moment,” said UBS commodity analyst Giovanni Staunovo.
A slowdown in some vaccination programmes and the prospect of more restrictions to control the coronavirus have tempered expectations for a recovery in fuel use.
Britain said on Thursday that global supply bumps meant its vaccine rollout would be slower than hoped in the coming weeks but it expects deliveries to increase from May.
A number of European countries have halted use of the AstraZeneca shot because of concerns about possible side effects, though the World Health Organization said Europe should continue to use the vaccine.
As long as Armada is producing profit of around RM 120 millions and above per quarter and above , it’s share price is under values below 80 sen to RM 1.00 in my opinion ; not too worry for its share price short term fluctuations. It’s healthy cash flow is paring down its debt fast. Good oil price may mean less chance of impairment of its OSVs values and more hiring opportunities. Chance to collect more Armada if it drops further.
Lagi sekali orang gelabah dengan short term price down. Cut loss lagi cut loss lagi, sampai ke sudah kau rugi memanjang sbb react dgn short term sentiment.
Oil price does not affect BA directly. Most of its income is from the FPSO which are doing very well and generating very good cash flow. Its FPSO business is not affected as its not based on oil prices.
As long as oil price is above USD40 to 45, its clients will make money, and BA fundamental remains the same.
This book is the result of the author's many years of experience and observation throughout his 26 years in the stockbroking industry. It was written for general public to learn to invest based on facts and not on fantasies or hearsay....
MoneyMakers
7,640 posts
Posted by MoneyMakers > 2021-03-18 08:46 | Report Abuse
Wti touched 63.5 yesterday..then us fed promised 0% rate/unlimited asset purchases until 2023..usd tanked & stocks/oil etc all recovered earlier losses