Data Pumps Oil As Gold Deflates

 | May 11, 2017 04:55AM ET

Data was supportive to oil overnight, while a stronger dollar and a safer world see gold languish.

Crude Oil

Oil shot higher by over 3 percent overnight as the U.S. Crude Inventories dropped by a massive 5.2 million barrels against a decline of 1.8 million expected. Brent spot traded as high as 50.35 and WTI spot to 47.60 before both saw late session profit taking to open in Asia at 49.90 and 47.30 respectively.

With the OPEC production cuts almost certainly to be extended, oil may well have dodged the worst for now. However, it would be premature to call a bottom in prices as U.S. production continues to ramp up along with that of exempted OPEC members Libya and Nigeria. Compliance with cuts may also become a talked about issue in the second half of the year as production cut fatigue sets in amongst the OPEC and Non-OPEC parties to the agreement.

This both crude contracts opened positively and traded up around 40 cents in the Asia session.

Brent spot has resistance nearby at 50.35, the overnight highs, followed by 51.15, its 200-day moving average. Support lies at 48.50.