Investing.com-- Oil prices settled higher Monday as a pledge from Iraq to cut crude exports just as defacto OPEC leader Saudi Arabia saw oil exports slip for second-straight month, easing concerns about a global supply surplus.
At 14:30 (18:30 GMT), West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 2.1% to settle at $82.72 a barrel, and Brent oil futures expiring in May rose 1.8% to $86.89 a barrel.
Iraq, Saudi export cuts lift optimism
Fed, central bank bank meetings sought for more economic cues
The Fed is set to conclude a two-day meeting on Wednesday and is widely expected to keep rates steady. But markets were wary of any potentially hawkish signals from the central bank, especially following hotter-than-expected inflation data in recent months.
Before the Fed, the Bank of Japan is set to decide on interest rates on Tuesday, and could potentially mark an end to nearly a decade of ultra-loose policy.
Tighter global monetary conditions point to more pressure on the economy and could potentially stymie oil demand- which has been a key point of concern for oil markets over the past two years.
Beyond the Fed and the BOJ, the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Bank of England are also due to meet this week, and are expected to signal few changes in interest rates.
Oil markets await more China data
A string of key economic indicators, as well as an interest rate decision in top oil importer China are also on tap this week.
China is set to release industrial production and retail sales figures for the first two months of 2024 later on Monday, while the People’s Bank of China will decide on its key loan prime rate on Wednesday.
Any signs of improving economic conditions in the country are likely to provide positive cues to oil markets. Retail spending in particular is expected to have been buoyed by the Lunar New Year holiday.
But the world’s largest oil importer is still struggling with a broader slowdown in economic growth- a trend that could potentially hurt its appetite for crude.
(Ambar Warrick contributed to this story.)