|

OPEC+ monitoring the new virus variant, some concerned over outlook - Reuters

According to OPEC+ sources cited by Reuters, the cartel is monitoring developments around the new, concerning Covid-19 variant and some members are expressing concern that it may worsen the outlook for oil markets. This comes ahead of next week's OPEC+ policy meeting. 

According to Reuters, an OPEC delegate said of the new variant that it was "not good as it adds bearishness to an already weak outlook". Another delegate reportedly noted the steep drop in oil prices on Friday, but said it was not yet clear how significant an impact the variant would have. "I am very concerned," Reuters quoted the delegate as saying. "There are many unknowns at the moment."

Author

Joel Frank

Joel Frank

Independent Analyst

Joel Frank is an economics graduate from the University of Birmingham and has worked as a full-time financial market analyst since 2018, specialising in the coverage of how developments in the global economy impact financial asset

More from Joel Frank
Share:

Editor's Picks

GBP/USD climbs to four-day highs near 1.3250

GBP/USD rapidly reverses Friday’s small losses and challenges the 1.3250 level, or four-day tops, at the beginning of the week. Cable’s upside comes on the back of further loss of momentum in the Greenback, while traders continue to assess the geopolitical front and upcoming key events.

EUR/USD extends the advance past 1.1400

EUR/USD starts the week on a positive note, trading above 1.1400 on Monday as broad-based US Dollar weakness lends support to the pair. In the meantime, investors continue to monitor developments surrounding efforts to end the US-Iran conflict, while attention gradually shifts to the ECB's annual forum and the US NFP data.

Gold falters just ahead of $4,100

Gold remains under modest bearish pressure just above the key $4,000 mark per troy ounce on Monday. The yellow metal struggles to extend its recent gains as renewed effervescence in the Middle East revives inflation concerns and bolsters Fed rate hike expectations.

Bitcoin four-year cycle: BTC risks 75% drawdown with four months of bear market still ahead

Bitcoin price continues to trend downward below the $60,000 support zone after losing over 50% of its value since the $126,199 high in October. Bitcoin’s four-year cycle, measured from cycle tops to bottoms, suggests that four months of a bear market are still ahead.

Just like Fed, is BoJ’s independence under threat?

When talking about central bank independence, most of the focus has been on Donald Trump’s pressure on the Federal Reserve. But a similar story, a quieter one for now, seems to be happening on the other side of the Pacific: Japan’s government may be testing the Bank of Japan’s independence.

Kevin Warsh isn't expected to say much in Sintra: That's exactly why markets will listen

Financial markets could find an important catalyst in the enchanting, fairytale-like landscape of Sintra this week. The ECB Forum will, as it does every year, gather the crème de la crème of central banks. The new boss at the Fed, who has clearly said that the Fed should stop explaining everything, will need to talk – and traders should listen.