Oil ticks up as markets assess falling inventories, potential Chinese stimulus

Brent oil prices rose in Asian trading on Friday, as markets assessed the prospect of economic stimulus in China after weak economic data, falling inventories in the U.S. and supply cuts from key producers.

Brent futures rose 63 cents to $80.27 a barrel by 0425 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 62 cents to $76.27 a barrel. Prices closed marginally higher on Thursday.

Brent was on track to close up 0.5% for the week, while WTI was set to tick up 1.1%, which would represent a fourth consecutive week of gains for both benchmarks.

China’s weak economic figures had kept a lid on prices through the week. The world’s second biggest oil consumer this week posted disappointing growth in second-quarter gross domestic product, increasing the likelihood of the economy’s missing the government’s 5% annual growth target.

However, sentiment across commodity markets has picked up on hopes the central government would roll out more stimulus measures to support the economy.

On Wednesday, Beijing announced that it will formulate plans to stabilise growth in 10 sectors, as well as to increase support for private firms.

Supporting prices, recent data, including lower-than-expected inflation and moderating job growth, have convinced many investors and analysts the Federal Reserve’s expected July rate hike will be the last of its current tightening cycle.

This report’s information was first seen on REUTERS; to read more, click this link.