Oil prices rise as rate cut hopes, Francine disruption offset demand fears

Investing.com — Oil prices rose Monday, benefiting from ongoing disruption to U.S. Gulf oil production as well as a softer dollar ahead of an expected interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve later this week.

At 08:05 ET (12:05 GMT), Brent oil futures rose 0.7% to $72.11 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 0.8% to $68.30 a barrel.

Rate cuts in focus as Fed meeting looms

A softer dollar was the biggest point of support for oil prices, as markets positioned for an interest rate cut from the Fed on Wednesday. 

The central bank is likely to kick off an easing cycle, although traders are split over a 25 or 50 basis point cut. 

Still, lower rates bode well for economic growth, which in turn could help keep U.S. fuel demand supported in the coming months. 

Continued disruption in Gulf of Mexico

Also helping the tone was the continued disruption of production in the Gulf of Mexico following the arrival of Hurricane Francine. 

Nearly a fifth of crude oil production and 28% of natural gas output in U.S. Gulf of Mexico federal waters remains offline, the U.S. offshore energy regulator said on Sunday.

Francine hit Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday, eventually cutting power in four southern states.

Chinese economic data underwhelms 

But gains were capped by persistent concerns over slowing demand, especially following a slew of weaker-than-expected economic data from China over the weekend.

Industrial production and retail sales both missed expectations, while unemployment rose and house prices fell. 

The readings ramped up concerns that slowing economic growth in the world’s biggest oil importer will dent its appetite for crude.

Analysts at ANZ said Beijing was likely to roll out more stimulus measures to help support local economic growth, although they still expect gross domestic product to come below the government’s 5% target in the third quarter. 

Concerns over China saw both the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the International Energy Agency slash their outlook for oil demand growth in the current year.

Holidays in China and Japan also kept trading volumes relatively slim. 

(Ambar Warrick contribute to this article.)