Oil prices fell on Monday after strong gains last week as data released in China reinforced signs that its economy is slowing, although progress in China-U.S. trade talks has supported prices.
Brent crude was down 32 cents or 0.5 per cent at 61.70 dollars a barrel by 0933 GMT, having gained more than 4 per cent last week — its best weekly gain since Sept. 20.
West Texas Intermediate crude was down 33 cents or 0.6 per cent at 56.33 dollars a barrel after rising more than 5 per cent last week — the biggest weekly increase since Sept. 20.
Profits at Chinese industrial companies fell for the second straight month in September as producer prices continued their slide, highlighting the impact of a slowing economy and protracted U.S. trade war on corporate balance sheets.
Still, traders were optimistic after the U.S. Trade Representative’s office and China’s Commerce Ministry said on Friday that the two countries were “close to finalizing” some parts of a trade agreement.
“Looking further ahead, if trade talks continue to progress and we see full agreement to phase one of the deal, this should help to improve sentiment further,” ING analyst Warren Patterson said.
U.S. energy companies reduced the number of oil rigs operating this week, leading to a record 11-month decline as producers follow through on plans to cut spending on new drilling.
Russia’s energy ministry said that OPEC and its oil-exporting allies, known as OPEC+, would factor in the slowdown of U.S. oil output growth when they meet to discuss their output agreement in December.
However, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin said it was premature to talk about deeper production cuts.
