Oil prices fall on demand concerns

19 Oct Oil prices fall on demand concerns

Oil prices fell on Monday as concerns over surging coronavirus cases globally dampened the prospects for demand recovery while China’s third-quarter economic growth was weaker than expected.
Brent crude for December LCOc1 slipped 16 cents, or 0.4%, to $42.77 a barrel by 0856 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for November CLc1 was down 11 cents, or 0.3%, at $40.77. The contract will expire on Tuesday.
Worldwide coronavirus cases crossed 40 million on Monday, according to a Reuters tally.

“Even if the recent record-high new cases of COVID-19 worldwide have not yet caused demand forecasts to be revised further downwards, there is no sign as yet of the hoped-for recovery,” said Commerzbank analyst Eugen Weinberg.
Many European governments are tightening lockdowns to curb the spread of virus.
“This latest swathe of stringent restrictions will inevitably impede economic growth and undermine the fuel demand recovery,” said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM.

Meanwhile, China’s oil-buying frenzy earlier this year is expected to slow in the fourth quarter. Chinese refiners have slowed their processing rates in September.
China’s economy expanded by 4.9% in the third quarter from a year earlier, missing analyst expectations of 5.2%, government data showed.
Investors are also focusing on the OPEC+ oil producer group’s Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) meeting later on Monday.
The committee is expected to discuss the weakening demand outlook as well as increased output from Libya but is unlikely to recommend immediate action, sources told Reuters.
– REUTERS