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Friday, November 22, 2024  
19 Jumada Al-Awwal 1446  

Oil prices edge higher as dollar eases

US dollar index edges down in early trade; S&P Global survey says business activity weakens in October
An oil worker removes a thread cap from a piece of drill pipe on a drilling lease owned by Elevation Resources near  US, February 12, 2019. Image via Reuters
An oil worker removes a thread cap from a piece of drill pipe on a drilling lease owned by Elevation Resources near US, February 12, 2019. Image via Reuters

Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, reversing some of the previous session’s losses, as the dollar eased, while weaker US business activity data lowered expectations for more aggressive interest rate hikes in the world’s biggest economy.

International benchmark Brent crude futures gained 12 cents to $93.38 per barrel by 0008 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 22 cents to $84.80 per barrel.

US business activity contracted for a fourth straight month in October, with manufacturers and services firms in a monthly S&P Global survey of purchasing managers both reporting weaker client demand.

Read: Rupee rebounds as dollar falls in inter-bank market

That weakening could indicate that the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases to fight inflation have been working and may persuade it to slow its rate hike policies, a positive signal for fuel demand.

Meanwhile, the dollar index edged lower in early trade. A weaker dollar makes oil less expensive for non-US buyers.

Limiting gains, China’s September crude imports of 9.79 million barrels per day were 2% below a year earlier, customs data showed on Monday, as independent refiners curbed throughput amid thin margins and lackluster demand.

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Oil prices

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International benchmark Brent crude