Crude oil prices climbed on Tuesday morning following the negative correction that occurred the day before. The reason for the positive dynamics was the news about the active adoption of a new financial incentive program in the United States of America.
According to the latest data, the United States House of Representatives signed the document raising the previously pledged $600 to $2,000 relief payments to US citizens, as required by President Donald Trump. It seems that the government has decided to put an end to the tough standoff that lasted several months before, and finally pass the long-awaited bill. At the same time, it is worth noting that 275 people voted for the adoption of the new program, and only 134 voted against it. However, there is still approval in the Senate, which, quite possibly, will have serious difficulties.
Recall that on Sunday, Trump put his signature on the draft of the new state budget for the year 2021. The total amount of financial support for the year is $2.3 trillion. It also includes the incentive package amounting to $900 billion.
All this news about the intensified process of ratification of relief payments to the US citizens causes a mixed mood in the market. On the one hand, the early start of payments will support the market, on the other, there are too many doubts about the fact that it will still take place.
In addition, the news about the appearance and spread of the coronavirus mutation, which was discovered in the UK, has a huge negative impact on the oil market. The new COVID-19 strain has already imposed a number of severe restrictions, including on the movement of citizens. And this, in turn, can cause the rapid loss of oil of its previously gained positions. According to most analysts, in the first month of the new year, demand for hydrocarbons will be extremely unstable and low. And this, of course, does not please investors at all.
However, the epidemiological situation in the world continues to deteriorate. Cases of the new virus were already confirmed in Canada, Japan, Norway, France, and many other countries. And as emphasized earlier, the new variant of the virus is more aggressive and spreads quickly.
More stringent and restrictive quarantine measures on movement began to be introduced by the authorities of individual countries. In China and South Korea, social distancing measures will be in effect throughout the holidays. The authorities see this as the only way to contain the already quite active daily increase in morbidity in these territories.
The price of futures contracts for Brent crude oil for delivery in February on the trading floor in London rose 0.47% or $0.24, which sent it to $51.1 per barrel. Monday's trading ended with a reduction of 0.84% or $0.43, which sent the final price at $50.86 per barrel.
The price of futures contracts for WTI light crude oil for February delivery on the electronic trading platform in New York added 0.67% or $0.32, which sent it to $47.94 per barrel. Monday's trading ended with a reduction of 1.26% or $0.61, which sent the final price at $47.62 per barrel.
