Oil prices settle higher as China's stimulus pledge stokes crude demand hopes

Oil prices settled higher Monday as China, the world's largest crude importer, unveiled plans to ease monetary policy and its boost economy, stoking hopes of a revival in global oil demand. 

At 2:30 p.m. ET (19:30 GMT), West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 1.2% to $68.37 a barrel,  the Brent oil futures rose 1.4% to $72.14 a barrel.  China lays out stimulus plan

Beijing laid out plans to adopt a "appropriately loose" monetary policy next year, to revive economic growth, the Politburo, the political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, was quoted as saying on Monday.

Optimism of further stimulus helped boost hopes of a rebound in oil demand at time when many fear that supply will likely outpace demand next, which have weighed on oil prices. 

"The easing of monetary policy stance in China is likely the driver of the oil price rebounding, supporting risk sentiment," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

Beyond China, uncertainty over long-term U.S. interest rates and policies under the Trump administration also weighed.

The OPEC’s decision to extend supply cuts was perceived negatively by oil markets, given that it signaled dwindling faith that demand will improve. Syria tensions keep oil risk premium in play 

Syrian rebel forces seized the capital Damascus after 13 years of civil war, and reports said President Bashar al-Assad had fled to Russia. 

Al-Assad’s sudden ouster - by a group partly backed by Turkey and with deep ties to the Sunni Islamic sect - limits Iran’s foothold in the Middle East, and could also cost Russia a naval base in the Mediterranean. 

But traders were now watching to see just what a regime change will entail for Syria and the Middle East, especially in the area of oil production. While Syria’s output was almost entirely eroded by a long-running civil war, production could increase under a more moderate government.

On the other hand, Iran’s softer hold on the Middle East could embolden the incoming Donald Trump administration in the US to impose harsher restrictions on the country, limiting supplies. 

Syria’s uncertain situation adds to ongoing geopolitical tensions caused by the Israel-Hamas war, as well as the Ukraine/Russia cnflict. 

(Peter Nurse, Ambar Warrick contributed to this article.)

Source: Investing.com