Oil prices likely to drift lower; Base Metals to remain weak

Saudi Arabia, the second largest producer of crude oil to world, faced an attack on its oil infrastructure facilities on September 14, which caused a sharp increase in fuel prices. Do you know where petrol prices were the highest? Here's a list of the countries where petrol is the cheapest and most expensive. (Note: All price comparisons are on rupee terms only. Global rates as of September, 16 2019 - Image: Reuters)

Sam Nair

Precious metals had a volatile session last evening as geopolitical risk brought back safe haven demand for bullion but the market remained largely focused on a strong dollar index and falling oil prices. Prices pushed higher to test USD 300 as the Italian president blocked an anti-establishment government from forming increasing the likelihood of early elections and also an upcoming election is Spain contributed to upside.

The uncertainties surrounding both the nations also increased fears of a split from the Euro-Zone and pushed the Euro lower in the US session. A stronger dollar index which is at it's highest level since November 2017 along with increased chances of rate hikes limited the upside in precious metals.

Bullions are trading largely unchanged with gold at USD 1298.30 and silver at USD 16.37. On the data front, we have the non-farm employment change report from ADP along GDP for the first quarter followed by the FED's Beige Book late in the night.

Base metals remained under pressure last evening driven by political uncertainty and a strong dollar. Metals on LME re trading lower by half a percent on average with copper at USD 6800, down 0.42 percent whereas Nickel is at USD 14772.50, down 0.47 percent currently.

The shutdown of Vedanta's 400,000 MT of Copper smelter cuts 1.7 percent of global supply and may support copper prices in the short term, the smelter which accounts for about half of India's copper output should also seen increased import demand from the country in the short term.

Zinc prices may also come under pressure as increasing smelter capacity and reduction of auto import tariff in China pressure prices while we also note that falling on-warrant zinc inventories in LME warehouse point to a tightening market in the short term. The intraday bias on Base Metals is negative.

Crude oil prices continued to consolidate above key support levels at USD 66 and may attempt to stage a pullback this week ahead of the weekly oil inventories report scheduled on Thursday. Primarily, supply concerns from Venezuela and Libya along with sanctions led disruptions from Iran helped prop up prices but reports indicating a output increase from Russia and Saudi Arabia in June to offset the shortfall pushed prices sharply lower.

We believe that the oil prices may continue to remain lower for longer term as increasing production from the US which is at 10.7 mbpd, behind Russia along with increasing oil rigs continue to mount pressure on prices in the short term. Trump's proposal to halve the SPR over the next decade also added to supply concerns for crude oil. The intraday bias is on the weaker side and we may see momentum based short selling if prices break below intraday support at Rs 4490 whereas upsides are expected to take resistance at 4570 today.

Disclaimer: The author is AVP - Commodities at Stewart & Mackertich Wealth Management Ltd. The views and ideas expressed above may have been suggested to the clients of Stewart & Mackertich Wealth Management Ltd. It is advised that investors/traders should consult with their Certified Experts before taking any investment decision.