Skip to content

CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Oil prices fall 3% after Trump tweets about high prices

Oil rig after oil prices fall after Trump tweets Source: Bloomberg

Oil futures dropped just hours after reaching 2019 highs after US President, Donald Trump, tweeted about the commodity’s prices rising too much. West Texas Intermediate(WTI) was down 3% and Brent crude futures plummeted $2.03 after Trump’s tweets about the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC).

Why did oil prices drop?

Brent and WTI declined after Trump complained on Twitter about the price of oil.

‘Oil prices getting too high. OPEC, please relax and take it easy. World cannot take a price hike - fragile!’ tweeted Trump.

After his tweet, oil prices dropped after rising because of a supply cut from OPEC countries and US sanctions on crude from Venezuela and Iran. Coiln Cieszynski, chief market strategist at SIA Wealth Management, noted that Trump can influence oil futures.

‘Investors have been getting a clear reminder of the sway U.S. President Trump still holds; how a comment or tweet on a key economic issue can really swing sentiment,’ said Cieszynski.

What’s next for oil futures?

Oil futures could become volatile because of global political tensions. Harry Tchilinguirian, global strategist at BNP Paribas, warned that the oil supply is at risk because of upheaval in Venezuela and Libya.

‘Supply risk is ever present with Venezuelan tensions brewing a notch higher. The National Oil Corporation in Libya refusing to start production at the El Sharara field’, said Tchilinguirian.

Oil prices could become unpredictable because of global factors, but may not have such a large effect on the US. According to Jasper Lawler, head of London Capital, increased domestic production could shelter the US from crude volatility.

‘US output hitting records of 12 million barrels per day is countering the positives from easing trade tensions, sanctions on Iran and Venezuela and OPEC cuts,’ said Lawler.

Investors will continue to monitor the oil market- and Trump’s tweets- to see how the commodity’s prices will move in the future.


This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
CFDs are a leveraged products. CFD trading may not be suitable for everyone and can result in losses that exceed your initial deposit, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.

React to volatility on commodity markets

Trade commodity futures, as well as 27 commodity markets with no fixed expiries.

  • Wide range of popular and niche metals, energies and softs
  • Spreads from 0.3 pts on Spot Gold, 2 pts on Spot Silver and 2.8 pts on Oil
  • View continuous charting, backdated for up to five years

See opportunity on a commodity?

Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re on to something.

  • Log in to your demo
  • Try a risk-free trade
  • See whether your hunch pays off

See opportunity on a commodity?

Don’t miss your chance – upgrade to a live account to take advantage.

  • Analyse and deal seamlessly on fast, intuitive charts
  • Get spreads from just 0.3 points on Spot Gold
  • See and react to breaking news in-platform

See opportunity on a commodity?

Don’t miss your chance. Log in to take your position.

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.

Plan your trading week

Get the week’s market-moving news sent directly to your inbox every Friday. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming economic events, as well as commentary from our expert analysts on the key markets to watch.

For more info on how we might use your data, see our privacy notice and access policy and privacy webpage.

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.