- Financial turmoil weighs on investors’ mood and drags black gold lower.
- WTI bounced modestly after posting a fresh 2023 low of $65.22 a barrel.
The barrel of West Texas Intermediate fell to $65.22 on Friday, its lowest since November 2022. It currently trades at around $67.30 a barrel, breaking lower amid financial turmoil weighing on the market mood.
The banking crisis triggered by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank last week escalated, with Credit Suisse under siege after its top shareholder ruled out providing financial assistance to the company. Stock markets collapsed despite authorities’ efforts to ensure the banking sector was strong enough to bare with the situation.
Nevertheless, concerns remained after SVB officially announced its bankruptcy on Friday, while yet another bank came under scrutiny, First Republic. European and US indexes trade in the red and are poised to finish the week in negative territory.
WTI, in the meantime, is down for a fifth consecutive day, with daily technical readings hinting at continued declines ahead. Once below the aforementioned low, the slump could extend to $62.41, December 2021 monthly low. A break below the latter will likely attract speculative buying, with $60.00 acting as a major psychological barrier. The black gold is currently finding sellers at around $70.00, with gains above the level unlikely to prosper.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD trims gains after reaching weekly highs at 1.0925 Premium

EUR/USD peaked at 1.0925 on Thursday, the highest level in a week, then retreated to the 1.0900 area. The pair is holding on to strong daily gains, on its way to the highest daily close since early February, supported by a weaker US Dollar ahead of Friday’s US Core PCE data.
GBP/USD eyes 1.2400 as Pound outperforms

The Pound is among the top performers of the American session. GBP/USD is trading at the highest level in almost two months, near 1.2400. Risk flows are helping the pair while at the same time making it difficult for the US Dollar to find demand.
Gold: Bulls aiming to challenge the $2,000 threshold Premium

Spot Gold found demand during American trading hours and currently trades around the $1,980 level. Following a consolidative stage, the bright metal gained upward traction on the back of continued US Dollar weakness.
Cardano might have a bumpy road following a 25% recovery

Cardano price has had a disappointing run these last two weeks when compared to other major altcoins.
FTSE100 up for 4th day in a row, hits 2-week high

We’ve seen another positive day for European markets with the FTSE100 pushing up to its highest levels in 2 weeks, although it remains well short of reversing its March losses, unlike the DAX which has reversed nearly all its post 9th March decline.