25/01/2005

Brent crude reaches two-month high

Crude oil pushed to a two month high as trading exceeded expectations today on the London futures markets, as stocks of US heating oil fell.

According to Bloomberg a US inventory report on fuel stocks is expected to show a decline in reserves. However, mid-range weather forecasts for the northern US, a region which takes 80% of the US's heating oil supply, indicate that there are likely to be higher than normal temperatures from February on.

Markets were reacting to news that OPEC is to leave output quotas unchanged following the producers' meeting on January 30. However, while the worst of the severe US weather may now be over, there is lingering concern that stockpiles will remain low forcing up market prices as US stockpiles are replenished.

At lunchtime today Brent crude topped $46.40, and yesterday had hit $46.44 before slipping back 43 cents by yesterday's close.

Crude oil had hit a high of over $55 on the New York market in October, but quickly settled back to $48.80.

(SP)

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