Black Gold
After spiking to 72.9, crude oil tumbled to as low as 68.8. The October contract plunged -3.9% to settle at 69.12 Friday, leaving this week's gain to +1.2% only. The black gold's decline Friday was accompanied by the dollar's weakness and strong US economic data. These were in contrary to the usual inverse relationship between commodities and USD.
Crude oil started the week with strong rally but ended it with a slump. We believe the reversal was not only due to profit-taking but also a delayed reaction to the industry news/data released during the week.
Both the industry-sponsored API and the US Energy Department reported huge draw in crude oil inventory but surprising increase in gasoline and distillate stockpiles. Although decline in crude inventory positive, surges in fuel storage should have more than offset bullishness.
Gasoline stockpile rose +2.1 mmb last week to 207 mmb. This had not only come in contrary to consensus of a draw but also halted the 6 consecutive weekly declines. In fact, we believe further increase in stockpile will follow in coming months due to the normal shoulder season in the 4th quarter. Distillate stockpile gained for the 3rd consecutive week. Since 3Q09, inventory has risen for 8 out of 10 weeks. As winter comes, demand for heating oil should increase but this may not be the case this year. Meteorologists suggested the possibility of El Nino which may bring a warmer-than-expected winter in the Northern Hemisphere this year.
OPEC concluded September's meeting and announced to keep production quotas unchanged Wednesday. Apparently, the meeting was a non-event as the outcome was widely anticipated. However, comments from member countries, especially Saudi Arabia, suggested OPEC's goal to tighten stock level has been dropped.
After the meeting, Saudi Arabia's oil minister Ali al-Naimi commented that 'we are enjoying a good, fair price' and 'Inventories are irrelevant, they can be 70 days... It has no bearing on price'. This was compared with the comment in May that industry-held stockpiles in developed nations needed to be brought down to the equivalent of about 52 to 54 days worth of consumption, from 62 days. Concerning compliance, Ali al-Naimi did not see the need to put pressure on overproducing members as 'people are complying anyway, 70% compliance is great'.
Obviously, the members were satisfied with the current price level and Saudi Arabia explicitly mentioned that the current 68-73 level is 'going to be there for a while'. Giving the OPEC's significance in affect oil price, we do believe that the current price level can hold in the medium term. The members will increase output should oil price increases. When price drops, say below 60, large producers such as Saudi can reduce supplies, thereby limiting the fall. In this way, crude oil price will consolidate for some time, given global economy improves in a gradual but uncertain manner.