Thursday, April 24, 2025
11:08 PM
Doha,Qatar
Oil prices fall

Oil tumbles as Trump leads US election

 * Markets go into "complete risk-off mode" as Trump leads polls
* Oil prices and dollar tumble, gold rallies as Trump goes ahead
* Analysts cite "Brexit deja vu" and "shock" as Trump leads
* Some benefit from crude rout: Fuel oil margins turn positive  

 

Oil prices tumbled on Wednesday as vote counting showed Donald Trump edging ahead in an unexpectedly tight US presidential election, throwing world markets into turmoil in a result reminiscent of June's Brexit vote.
Crude futures markets roared into action, with trading accelerating as Europe joined Asia from around 0500 GMT, as Trump surprised by defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton in a series of key contests and opening a path to the White House.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell to a session low of $43.07 per barrel, down more than 4 percent from their last close and their lowest since September, before edging back to $43.72 a barrel by 0601 GMT.
International Brent crude futures were down 2.43 percent at $44.92 a barrel.
"This is deja vu of the Brexit moment, very worrying," said Bob Takai, president at Sumitomo Corp Global Research in Tokyo, referring to Britain's surprise vote to leave the European Union in a referendum last June, which led to market turmoil.
The falls in oil came as prices for gold, a traditional safehaven for investors in times of high economic risk jumped, while the dollar fell sharply against a basket of other leading currencies.
"Investors moved into complete 'risk off' mode... Trump winning would have negative consequences on the price of oil," said Jameel Ahmad, vice president of market research at trading platform and research firm FXTM.
"The threat of growth forecasts being downgraded at least over the short-term due to investor uncertainty in theory weakens demand for commodities like oil."
Trump won the key battleground state of Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, and likely Georgia, and led Clinton in a series of other states that were too close to call.
"In financial markets, Trump's victory is seen as a 'shock', prompting to seek safe-haven assets and this has pushed oil prices down," said Son Jae-hyun, Seoul-based analyst at Mirae Asset Daewoo. In the longer-term Trump's pro oil sector policies and anti-Iran views could result in higher prices, he added.
Elsewhere, a report by the American Petroleum Institute (API) showed crude inventory figures rising by 4.4 million barrel was also weighing on markets.
There are also surprise beneficiaries from Wednesday's developments.
The tumble in crude oil prices pushed Singapore's fuel oil refinery margins, traditionally a loss-making business, into positive territory for the first time since 2012 as refiners benefit from cheaper feedstock prices.

Comments
  • There are no comments.

Add Comments

B1Details

Latest News

SPORT

Canada's youngsters set stage for new era

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when you are saying farewell to those that have left a positive impression. That was the case earlier this month when Canada hosted Mexico in a friendly at BC Place stadium in Vancouver.

1:43 PM February 26 2017
TECHNOLOGY

A payment plan for universal education

Some 60mn primary-school-age children have no access to formal education

11:46 AM December 14 2016
CULTURE

10-man Lekhwiya leave it late to draw Rayyan 2-2

Lekhwiya’s El Arabi scores the equaliser after Tresor is sent off; Tabata, al-Harazi score for QSL champions

7:10 AM November 26 2016
ARABIA

Yemeni minister hopes 48-hour truce will be maintained

The Yemeni Minister of Tourism, Dr Mohamed Abdul Majid Qubati, yesterday expressed hope that the 48-hour ceasefire in Yemen declared by the Command of Coalition Forces on Saturday will be maintained in order to lift the siege imposed on Taz City and ease the entry of humanitarian aid to the besieged

10:30 AM November 27 2016
ARABIA

QM initiative aims to educate society on arts and heritage

Some 200 teachers from schools across the country attended Qatar Museum’s (QM) first ever Teachers Council at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) yesterday.

10:55 PM November 27 2016
ARABIA

Qatar, Indonesia to boost judicial ties

The Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) of Qatar and the Indonesian Supreme Court (SCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on judicial co-operation, it was announced yesterday.

10:30 AM November 28 2016
ECONOMY

Sri Lanka eyes Qatar LNG to fuel power plants in ‘clean energy shift’

Sri Lanka is keen on importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar as part of government policy to shift to clean energy, Minister of City Planning and Water Supply Rauff Hakeem has said.

10:25 AM November 12 2016
B2Details
C7Details