LONDON—Oil steadied on Thursday on a potential pause in U.S. interest rate hikes and the passing of a crucial vote on the U.S. debt ceiling bill.
U.S. Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday suggested interest rates could be kept on hold this month and the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill suspending the government’s debt ceiling, improving the chance of averting a disastrous default.
Brent crude futures rose 2 cents to $72.62 a barrel by 1026 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) gained 3 cents to $68.12. Both benchmarks fell on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Oil markets may have been oversold in the last two trading days,” said CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng. “Sentiment rebounded amid the debt bill’s passage in the House and (the) Fed’s rate hike pause signal.”
Mixed demand indications from China, the world’s biggest oil importer, have nonetheless weighed on the market, as has industry data showing a rise in U.S. crude inventories.
“The current mood is one of pessimism,” said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM. “Investors have been pragmatic and risk averse of late.”
Also in focus is the June 4 meeting of the OPEC+ producer group comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia after mixed signals on whether further production cuts are likely.
