API v EIA – quick on the draw?

The predicted rise in US stock levels have dragged down markets further this morning, continuing losses and putting prices ever closer to the $30 mark again.   Data from U.S. industry group API predicts crude stocks rose by 8.7 million barrels in the week to May 22, compared with analysts’ expectations for a draw of …

Slow start to Capesize after long weekend

Capesize market made a slow start after a long weekend break, with sluggish shipping demand in physical and paper markets. Thus, the Capesize 5 time charter average dipped slightly by $20 to $4,120 on spot rates, almost a flat index that failed to inspire the paper market. The almost unchanged index may reflect market concerns …

Oil Halts Rally Near $34 on Signs Russia May Ease Supply Cuts

Oil slipped from the highest settlement in 11 weeks on signs Russia was planning to start easing supply cuts from July, while tensions between the U.S. and China escalated amid the specter of sanctions. Futures fell 0.8% in New York after closing above $34 a barrel for the first time since March. Moscow wants to …

U.S. Mulls Sanctions on Chinese Officials, Firms Over Hong Kong

The U.S. is considering a range of sanctions to punish China for its crackdown on Hong Kong, people familiar with the matter said, as the Trump administration weighs whether to declare the former colony has lost its autonomy from Beijing. The Treasury Department could impose controls on transactions and freeze assets of Chinese officials and …

Crude buoyed by Russia cuts, gasoil spreads flat

The crude market was buoyed by comments from Russia reporting its oil output had nearly dropped to its target of 8.5 million barrels per day (bpd) for May and June under its supply cut deal with OPEC.   After a bank holiday yesterday and quiet trading, counterparties have come into the market this morning with …

Capesize rates drive higher by iron ore prices

Capesize market moved up to higher on higher iron ore prices and robust shipping demand. Due to the stronger physical market, the Capesize 5 time charter average rose by $245 to $4,196 on Thursday. The strong freight market had reflected a surge in iron ore prices which had hovered above the $90/mt for almost two …

China Abandons Hard Growth Target, Shifts Stimulus Focus to Jobs

The Chinese government abandoned its decades-long practice of setting an annual target for economic growth amid the storm of uncertainty unleashed by the coronavirus pandemic, and said it would continue to increase stimulus. Speaking at the National People’s Congress in Beijing on Friday morning, Premier Li Keqiang delivered an annual policy address that instead laid …