Connect with us

Markets

Markets Today – Mild Reprieve, UK Inflation, BoE, Oil, Gold, Bitcoin

Published

on

greek

By Craig Erlam, Senior Market Analyst, UK & EMEA, OANDA

Equity markets are recovering some of yesterday’s losses but anxiety and uncertainty continue to dominate after a disappointing start to earnings season.

Inflation and interest rate concerns are going nowhere soon and with traders now increasingly considering the possibility of hikes larger than 25 basis points, the possibility of more pain in stock markets is very real.

The idea that we could go from rock bottom rates and enormous bond-buying to rapid tapering, 50 basis point hikes, and earlier balance sheet reduction is quite alarming. We’re talking about markets that have become very accustomed to extensive support from central banks and very gentle unwinding when appropriate. This is quite a shock to the system.

And so far earnings season is not providing investors the comfort they were hoping for. Significant compensation increases and lower trading revenues hurt JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs, and higher wage demands are likely to be a common theme throughout the next few weeks which will put a dampener on the bottom line and not alleviate concerns about persistent and widespread price pressures.

UK inflation jumps again ahead of Bailey appearance

The CPI data from the UK this morning compounded inflation concerns, hitting a 30-year high and once again surpassing expectations in the process. And it’s highly unlikely we’re seeing the peak, with that potentially coming around April when the cap on energy tariffs is lifted considerably to reflect higher wholesale prices. Other aspects will also contribute to higher levels of inflation at the start of the second quarter, at which point we may have a better idea of how fast it will then decline.

Of course, the Bank of England can’t just turn a blind eye until then. The MPC may be willing to overlook transitory inflationary pressures but the rise in CPI has proven to be neither temporary nor tolerable. Instead, it’s become more widespread and the central bank is being forced to act and may do so again next month after raising interest rates for the first time since the pandemic in December. A few more hikes after that are also priced in for this year but if pressures continue to mount, traders may begin to speculate about the possibility of larger hikes, as we’ve seen starting in the US.

All of this should make Andrew Bailey’s appearance before the Treasury Select Committee later today all the more interesting. The central bank has warned of higher inflation and possible interest rate hikes for months but delayed doing so after initial hints ahead of the November meeting. Given what’s happened since, the decision looks all the more strange. Of course, it’s easy to say that with 20/20 hindsight.

Oil gathering momentum as $100 oil looks increasingly likely

Oil prices are continuing to climb on Wednesday and find themselves only a little shy of $90 a barrel. This happened as IEA confirmed that the market looks tighter than previously anticipated as a result of stronger demand, despite omicron, and the inability of OPEC+ to hit its monthly increased production targets. This imbalance has led to surging prices which will further pressure households and businesses already fighting high inflation.

What’s more, not only does the rally not appear to be losing steam, it may have even generated fresh momentum. While $90 could have triggered some profit-taking and a minor cooling of prices, this suggests they’ll see no reprieve and we could realistically see $100 oil soon.

Can gold break higher as traders speculate about more rate hikes

Gold is marginally higher again after the easing over the course of the last week. The yellow metal is continuing to struggle around $1,833 which has been a surprisingly strong level of resistance over the last six months. But support is returning after it came close to $1,800 so a break to the upside remains a strong possibility.

Given the calls for even more rate hikes this year than markets are pricing in, not to mention larger individual increases than we’ve seen for many years, perhaps we are seeing some inflation hedging from traders that don’t think central banks are doing enough to bring price pressures down.

Consolidation continues

Bitcoin appears to have gotten lost in the noise of the last few weeks. It’s not falling too hard despite risk assets getting pummelled but it’s not recovering to any great extent either. Instead, it’s floating between support at $40,000 and resistance around $45,000 and showing no signs of breaking either at this point.

Continue Reading
Comments

Energy

Nigeria Partners with ECOWAS and Morocco to Launch $26B African Gas Pipeline

Published

on

Gas-Pipeline

The Nigerian government, in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Morocco, and Mauritania, has announced plans to advance the $26 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project to drive economic growth across Africa.

This development was revealed on Monday, November 5, by Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), at the ECOWAS Inter-Ministerial Meeting on the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project.

Speaking at the meeting, which was attended by ECOWAS Ministers of Hydrocarbons and Energy as well as representatives from Morocco and Mauritania, Kyari stated that, once completed, the project will connect 13 African countries.

Represented by Olalekan Ogunleye, NNPC’s Executive Vice President for Gas Power & New Energy, Kyari said this will be Africa’s largest pipeline project.

Ogunleye confirmed that progress has been made with the front-end engineering design completed, the phase two study finalized, and work ongoing for environmental and social impact assessments as well as land acquisition and resettlement.

He emphasized NNPC’s readiness to execute the project: “Today, we come together to make significant progress in the African Atlantic gas pipeline project, which is a transformative initiative connecting at least 13 African nations in shared prosperity and development. These achievements underscore our capability to deliver this landmark project, supported by strong regional collaboration.”

Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), described the project as a game-changer for the regional economy, stating, “We stand at a critical juncture where these agreements can reshape our energy landscape, strengthen our economies, and uplift our people.”

He also highlighted that the project will increase Africa’s presence in the global gas market, noting that “the agreements demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing hydrocarbon and energy trade across ECOWAS, enhancing access to natural gas in West Africa, and expanding Africa’s global footprint in the gas market.”

Continue Reading

Crude Oil

Nigerian Army Seizes 700,000 Liters of Stolen Petroleum in Sweeping Raid Across Four States

Published

on

In a series of raids across Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta states, troops from the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army seized 700,000 liters of stolen petroleum products, sealed 29 illegal refining sites, and arrested 24 suspected oil thieves.

In a statement issued by the Division’s Public Relations Officer, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, it was noted that 14 boats involved in crude oil theft were also destroyed during the operation.

Jonah disclosed that the raids were conducted between October 28 and November 3, 2024.

He revealed that the troops intercepted a large wooden boat carrying over 150,000 liters of stolen crude oil in the Kula area of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Providing a breakdown of the operation, Jonah stated, “Another boat carrying 50,000 liters of crude oil was seized, while three illegal refining sites were dismantled, and cooking pots containing 20,000 liters of stolen diesel were confiscated. Troops also dismantled ten illegal refining sites in Kay and Abesa in Akuku-Toru LGA, seizing 400,000 liters of illegally refined diesel.”

In Bayelsa State, soldiers deactivated two illegal refining sites at Boma Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA, recovering storage tanks holding over 2,500 liters of stolen crude. Similarly, operations in Obughene Creek in Southern Ijaw yielded over 4,500 liters of stolen crude, while another 3,000 liters of illicit product were seized at West Boma Creek.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted two Toyota Camrys loaded with illegally refined diesel, concealed in nylon bags, totaling 3,000 liters. The vehicles were stopped along the Ikot Abasi-Abak road, and the drivers were detained.

In Delta State, multiple raids were conducted, including the interception of a tricycle in Kwale, Ndokwa West LGA, carrying stolen iron pipes allegedly taken from decommissioned Oando pipelines.

Another raid in Patani town uncovered a storage dump containing 40 jerricans of stolen products, while troops patrolling Uro Community waterways intercepted a wooden boat with 200 sacks of premium motor spirit,” he concluded.

The statement added that suspects arrested during the raids have been handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution.

Continue Reading

Crude Oil

OPEC+ Supply, Trump-Harris Election Face Off Lend Support to Oil Prices

Published

on

Crude oil

The decision of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, OPEC+ to delay plans to increase output for another month and the close call of the presidential elections in the United States triggered a 2 percent rise in oil prices.

Brent futures were up $1.98, or 2.7 percent at $75.08 a barrel while the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.98, or 2.85 percent to $71.47.

OPEC+ said it would extend its output cut of 2.2 million barrels per day for another month in December at a meeting on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia and Russia, as well as Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to extend the November 2023 voluntary production adjustments of 2.2 million barrels per day for one month until the end of December 2024.

The move is aimed at boosting oil prices amid uncertain demand and accelerating supply, with an eye on the imminent US presidential election, though analysts predict a limited impact.

Also speaking on Monday, OPEC’s Secretary General, Mr Haitham Al Ghais said on Monday that OPEC remains very positive on demand for oil in both the short and long term.

The market has also shifted focus to the American presidential election between Democratic presidential nominee and current Vice President, Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump on Tuesday (November 5).

So far, the outcome has shown that the election is tight as it could take days after voting ends to know the eventual winner.

The market will also be looking at the developments in the Middle East, especially with anticipation that Iran was preparing to attack Israel from Iraq within days.

Markets were also watching a new tropical storm that was forecast to form on Monday in the Caribbean and threaten offshore oil production along the Gulf of Mexico.

Oil companies like Shell have moved its non-essential personnel from six platforms, adding it currently expects no other impacts on its production across the Gulf of Mexico.

There will be anticipation of what the US Federal Reserve will do at the next meeting on Thursday with expectations high that the US central bank will cut interest rates by 25 basis points.

Also, investors will be looking to China where the government is expected to approve additional stimulus to boost the slowing economy in the world’s largest oil importer.

Continue Reading

Trending