Oil drifting, gold steady

November 30, 2021 Share Print 0

Oil drifts lower as prospect of OPEC+ cut fades

Oil prices are unsurprisingly taking another hit as risk sentiment turns negative once again. While OPEC+ pushing back their meeting to later in the week to analyse the Omicron data may have appeared to be a bullish signal for the markets, as it increased the likelihood of a pause or reduction in the output increases, I still don’t think that will turn out to be the case.

There’s being vigilant and there’s being hasty and I don’t think the group wants to be the latter. Even later in the week, there’s unlikely to be sufficient data to warrant such an important shift in their output when, by their own admission, they’d already factored Covid into their calculations before. And comments from Russia and Saudi Arabia this week appear to back that up.

Brent crude is closing in on USD 70 now – which looks a big support level – as traders continue to fret about the efficacy of the current vaccines and what it means for the global economy in the coming months. WTI has slipped below but could see some support around USD 67 after such a severe drop.

Gold edges higher but remains broadly stable

Gold has been remarkably stable this past week. Even Friday’s spike was quickly pared back and it hasn’t really moved since. It seems very unresponsive to shifts in risk appetite in the markets and even a softer dollar and lower yields are doing little to lift the yellow metal.

I can understand why it may not be soaring higher as I’m not convinced central banks can do much in the face of higher inflation, even if we see more lockdowns. But current price action seems to conflict with what we’re seeing elsewhere which is interesting, to say the least. It’s not a particularly bullish signal, nor is its struggle to get back above USD 1,800.

For a look at all of today’s economic events, check out our economic calendar: www.marketpulse.com/economic-events/

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.

Bio
Twitter
Latest Posts

Craig Erlam

Senior Market Analyst, UK & EMEA at OANDA

Based in London, Craig Erlam joined OANDA in 2015 as a market analyst. With many years of experience as a financial market analyst and trader, he focuses on both fundamental and technical analysis while producing macroeconomic commentary. His views have been published in the Financial Times, Reuters, The Telegraph and the International Business Times, and he also appears as a regular guest commentator on the BBC, Bloomberg TV, FOX Business and SKY News. Craig holds a full membership to the Society of Technical Analysts and is recognised as a Certified Financial Technician by the International Federation of Technical Analysts.