Share

Oil higher as G7 talks calm worries

Singapore - Oil was higher in Asian trade on Wednesday after G7 European leaders vowed to respond "speedily" to the continent's debt crisis.

A decline in US crude reserves also lent support to prices, analysts said.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for delivery in July, was up 63 cents to $84.92 per barrel while Brent North Sea crude for July gained 37c to $99.21 in the afternoon.

"There has been some correction in oil prices after the G7 talks with some respite in the gloom over the eurozone debt crisis, and also a drop in US stockpiles has uplifted the market," said Justin Harper, market strategist at IG Markets Singapore.

European finance ministers from the Group of Seven economies had vowed after emergency talks on Tuesday to respond swiftly to the continent's fiscal crisis, Japan's finance minister said.

"We were able to share our recognition on the European issue," Jun Azumi was quoted by Jiji Press as saying after a conference call with his G7 counterparts. "The European side stated that they will respond to it speedily."

Worries over the eurozone debt crisis, along with the anaemic US economy, have cast a shadow over oil prices in recent months as investors worry demand will eventually slacken.

Meanwhile, a decline in US crude stocks has provided a brief respite for investors still fretting about demand in the world's top oil-consuming nation.

Data from the American Petroleum Institute (API), an industry body, showed nationwide crude stocks fell by 1.8 million barrels in the past week.

The API figures are usually released ahead of the US Department of Energy's weekly Wednesday report on crude stockpiles and inventory on other oil-related products.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.29
-0.7%
Rand - Pound
23.87
-1.1%
Rand - Euro
20.58
-1.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
-1.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
-1.2%
Platinum
943.50
+0.0%
Palladium
1,034.50
-0.1%
Gold
2,391.84
+0.0%
Silver
28.68
+0.0%
Brent Crude
87.29
+0.2%
Top 40
67,314
+0.2%
All Share
73,364
+0.1%
Resource 10
63,285
-0.0%
Industrial 25
98,701
+0.3%
Financial 15
15,499
+0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders