Energy Update Additional cuts in investment to help oil prices rise next year The renewed decline in oil prices has prompted another round of investment and job cuts in the sector. Slower growth in non-OPEC output should therefore support a partial recovery in prices over the... 11th August 2015 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Renewed slide in oil prices not (yet) a game-changer The declines in the cost of crude oil since May have revived concerns about global growth and deflation risks. However, the falls mainly reflect positive supply-side developments and are also small... 10th August 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Chart Pack Oil slides back down July was a tough month for energy commodities with oil and coal prices slumping again as worries about demand, prompted by the drop in the Chinese equity market, and signs of improving supply weighed... 7th August 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update What to make of Saudi Arabia’s return to the bond market? Media reports suggesting that the Saudi central bank will issue bonds in greater volumes over the rest of this year have raised fresh concerns about the government’s seemingly relaxed response to the... 6th August 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report US crude stocks fell again last week as refinery runs surged and imports fell slightly. But production rebounded slightly and stocks of gasoline rose. 6th August 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update Obama and the EPA escalate the “war on coal” The rules set out by the US Environmental Protection Agency should ultimately serve to reduce demand for coal and put downward pressure on prices, even if there are lengthy legal challenges. 4th August 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update El Niño won’t be enough to reduce demand for gas The strong possibility of an El Niño event this winter could mean slightly lower demand for natural gas for heating and less disruption to offshore production. However, any impact from El Niño is... 30th July 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report US oil stocks fell last week by much more than expected. Oil production also took a sharp tumble as lower prices continue to take their toll. 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Ruble slump concerns CBR, but easing cycle likely to continue The move by Russia’s central bank to halt its foreign currency purchases suggests that policymakers have become increasingly concerned by the recent slump in the ruble. But even so, the impact on both... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Gulf markets weather fall in oil prices Equity markets in the Gulf have performed better than might have been expected this month, given the fresh fall in global oil prices. Meanwhile, Egyptian stocks,bonds and the currency have all fared... 28th July 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update China and US, not Iran, most important for oil prices Oversupply and the looming return of exports from Iran are undoubtedly weighing on oil prices. However, prices are likely to continue to be more influenced by sentiment towards commodities in general... 28th July 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Renewed focus on Gulf’s fiscal positions The fresh fall in oil prices has turned attention back to fiscal positions in the Gulf, with the UAE’s government the latest to announce measures to rein in spending. The UAE plans to deregulate fuel... 27th July 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update US shale firms squeeze every last drop Sharp falls in the cost of drilling and fracking shale oil wells mean that some firms can now be profitable even when oil prices are extremely low. This should help to reduce the sharp declines in oil... 27th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Weak growth hindering euro-zone’s fiscal progress Greece last week passed the necessary reforms to start negotiations with its creditors on a third bailout. But with the country back in recession, it will struggle to meet the creditors’ fiscal goals... 24th July 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Watch Iran oil production to rebound to previous levels and more The recent deal between Iran and the Wes tmeans that it is now very likely that substantial volumes of oil from Iran will return to the market. (We note that although a final agreement is not... 23rd July 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Investor sentiment towards commodities tanks Broad-based weakness saw industrial commodity price indices slip between mid-June and mid-July. The S&P GSCI agriculture index bucked the trend, although it too has eased back recently. What’s more... 22nd July 2015 · 1 min read
