Oil Gains on Positive China Data, Unstable Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire
OIL & GAS

Oil Gains on Positive China Data, Unstable Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire

Oil prices rose on Monday, driven by strong factory activity in China, the world’s second-largest oil consumer, and escalating tensions in the Middle East, where Israel resumed attacks on Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement.

By 1002 GMT, Brent crude futures had increased by 75 cents, or 1.04 per cent, to $72.59 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was up 70 cents, or 1.03 per cent, at $68.70 per barrel.

Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst with UBS, stated that the better-than-expected economic data from China was supporting crude prices, which had been affected by concerns over Chinese demand. He added that stimulus measures were beginning to positively impact economic activity, which should help bolster Chinese oil demand in the coming months.

A private-sector survey revealed that China's factory activity expanded at the fastest pace in five months in November, boosting optimism among Chinese firms, even as US President-elect Donald Trump intensified his trade threats.

Traders were also monitoring developments in Syria, weighing whether these could escalate tensions across the Middle East, according to Yeap Jun Rong, a market strategist at IG.

Despite a truce between Israel and Lebanon taking effect on Wednesday, both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire. The Lebanese health ministry reported several injuries from two Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, while airstrikes intensified in Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad vowed to crush insurgents in Aleppo.

Oil prices rose on Monday, driven by strong factory activity in China, the world’s second-largest oil consumer, and escalating tensions in the Middle East, where Israel resumed attacks on Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement. By 1002 GMT, Brent crude futures had increased by 75 cents, or 1.04 per cent, to $72.59 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was up 70 cents, or 1.03 per cent, at $68.70 per barrel. Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst with UBS, stated that the better-than-expected economic data from China was supporting crude prices, which had been affected by concerns over Chinese demand. He added that stimulus measures were beginning to positively impact economic activity, which should help bolster Chinese oil demand in the coming months. A private-sector survey revealed that China's factory activity expanded at the fastest pace in five months in November, boosting optimism among Chinese firms, even as US President-elect Donald Trump intensified his trade threats. Traders were also monitoring developments in Syria, weighing whether these could escalate tensions across the Middle East, according to Yeap Jun Rong, a market strategist at IG. Despite a truce between Israel and Lebanon taking effect on Wednesday, both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire. The Lebanese health ministry reported several injuries from two Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, while airstrikes intensified in Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad vowed to crush insurgents in Aleppo.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Large-sized Deals Drive 40% of Industrial & Warehousing Demand

With 25.6 million sq ft of gross leasing in 2024, industrial & warehousing demand across the top five cities remained healthy, witnessing a marginal 2 per cent YoY growth. Although, there was a noticeable dip in leasing activity during the last quarter, strong space uptake in the earlier quarters ensured steady leasing levels during 2024. During the year, Delhi NCR led the demand with 26 per cent share, closely followed by Chennai at 23 per cent share. On a quarterly basis, Q4 2024 saw about 5.5 million sq ft of industrial & warehousing demand across the top five cities. Pune, closely followed..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Vedanta Aluminium Launches Advanced Operational Dashboard

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has launched an innovative operational dashboard at its Jamkhani Coal Mine, Odisha. This state-of-the-art digital platform integrates real-time data, optimises performance metrics and automates routine processes. Developed in-house by a dedicated team, this dashboard leverages the First Principles approach to track mining operations at their most fundamental levels. It delivers actionable insights for achieving operational excellence through the Time-in-Use Model (TUM), which measures planned and actual cut rates, real-time coal expos..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

PNC-KKR Deal Nears Completion

Infrastructure company PNC Infratech has received in principle approvals from NHAI to transfer 100 per cent stake held by it in two subsidiaries (SPVs) for the Bundelkhand and Khajuraho road projects to the KKR-backed Highways Infrastructure Trust. With this, the PNC-KKR deal is on track for closure by March 31, 2025 as PNC Infratech is in the process of fulfilling the conditions precedents (CPs) for the transaction. One of the major CPs under the deal included change in control approvals from the highway authorities and no objection certificates from the lenders to the projects, according to ..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000