Oil prices fall 3% after Trump tweets about high prices
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 Markets 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. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
React to volatility on commodity markets
Trade commodity futures, as well as 27 commodity markets with no fixed expiries.1
- 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
1In the case of all DFBs, there is a fixed expiry at some point in the future.
See opportunity on a commodity?
Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re onto 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
- Equities
- Indices
- Forex
- Commodities
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All share prices are delayed by at least 15 minutes.
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.
