Brent Tops $45

(Bloomberg) -- Oil climbed to a five-month high in London, topping $45 a barrel after U.S. industry data showed a decline in the nation’s stockpiles.

Brent futures gained for a fourth day, rising as much as 2.6% to the highest price since March 6. The American Petroleum Institute reported a 8.59 million-barrel drop in crude inventories last week, according to people familiar with the figures.

The international benchmark moved above its low from March 6 in European trading hours, closing a so-called price gap that was formed on that day, a move that traditionally leads to additional buying. Over the same period, West Texas Intermediate rose above its 200-day moving average for the first time since January.

Oil has resumed gains in recent days after rallying from a plunge below zero in April but rising coronavirus infections have raised concerns about a sustained recovery in consumption. OPEC+ is set to test the market by returning some supply this month after historic output curbs, but a persistently weaker dollar and the recovery in equity markets has helped the market draw out further gains.

“Oil prices are rising, pricing in what looks like a sizable decline in U.S. crude inventories,” said Bjornar Tonhaugen, head of oil markets at Rystad Energy.

Prices

Brent for October settlement gained 2.3% to $45.45 a barrel as of 12:01 p.m. London time West Texas Intermediate for September delivery rose $1.02 to $42.72 a barrel

European equities and U.S. futures advanced on signs American lawmakers are making progress on an economic aid package, while the dollar continued to grind lower, adding further support to crude markets.

A Bloomberg survey shows U.S. crude stockpiles probably fell by 3.35 million barrels last week. That would be the third weekly decline in four weeks if confirmed by official data from the Energy Information Administration later on Wednesday. American shale drillers have signaled the end of output growth, with Diamondback Energy Inc.’s chief executive officer saying there are currently no market signals that such growth is needed.

“I am not so sure if Brent will maintain its consolidation above the $45 level,” said Kevin Solomon, an analyst at brokerage StoneX Group. “The significant weakness in the U.S. dollar has helped oil prices remain buoyant despite the stalled oil demand recovery.”

Other oil-market news

An unexpected demand boost for dirty fuel oil is poised to ease with the return of some OPEC+ crude supply from this month. More than 2 million homes and businesses have lost power along the U.S. East Coast after Tropical Storm Isaias swirled through New York and the Northeast. A massive explosion at Lebanon’s main port rocked Beirut, overwhelming hospitals dealing with the injured. The blast was so large it blew out windows across the capital and was even heard from Cyprus.

--With assistance from James Thornhill and Low De Wei.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Alex Longley in London at alongley@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story:
Serene Cheong at scheong20@bloomberg.net
Christopher Sell, Helen Robertson

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