NEW YORK – Oil prices fell sharply today amid growing concerns over the global economic outlook, reported Xinhua.
The West Texas Intermediate for February delivery dropped US$3.33 (RM14.67) or 4.15%, to settle at US$76.93 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for March delivery lost US$3.81, or 4.43%, to settle at US$82.1 a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
The slide came as traders worried about gloomy demand prospects as the global economy slows.
Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, warned on Sunday that 2023 will be “tougher” than last year, noting one third of the world economy could enter recession territory.
Also weighing on oil was a surge in the US dollar. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, jumped 0.95% to 104.5070 in late trading in the US today. Historically, the price of oil is inversely related to the price of the US currency. – Bernama, January 4, 2023
