Crude Oil Prices Heads Higher, Canada Extends Oil Production Cuts - US Market Open

MARKET DEVELOPMENT – Crude Oil Heads Higher, Canada Extends Oil Cuts, ZAR Firms on Inflation

DailyFX 2019 FX Trading Forecasts

Oil: Brent crude futures are notably firmer this morning, trading higher by over 1.5% as the broad risk on sentiment underpins. Alongside this, yesterday‘s larger than expected API crude inventory decline of 3.5mln barrels has also added to the lift in oil prices, which in turn has seen oil-linked currencies (NOK, CAD) slightly firmer. Focus going forward will be on whether the DoE confirms yesterday’s crude inventory drawdown, while the FOMC minutes will also be eyed by market participants, however, the greater focus should potentially be on the Jackson Hole Symposium speech by Powell on Friday.

Elsewhere, Canada have announced that they will extend their oil production cuts in Alberta by 1yr to the end of 2020. The reason behind the extension had been due to delays in pipeline approvals, which in effect could have seen production outstrip capacity by 150kbpd, resulting in the reemergence of the large price discount of West Canadian Select vs WTI crude that had been seen at the back end of 2018. That said, with the government also looking to raise the exemption limit to 20kbpd from 10kbpd (first 20kbpd exempt from cuts) in order to ease the burden on small producers, oil production is expected to rise slightly to 3.79mbpd from 3.76mbpd.

Emerging Markets

ZAR: The South African Rand is on the front foot following the latest inflation report, which saw the headline rate drop towards the lower end of the SARB‘s inflation range target (3-6%) at 4% from 4.5%. Consequently, this raises the likelihood that the central bank could potentially ease monetary policy (next meeting Sep 19th). Alongside this, the Rand had been given an additional boost as well as other emerging market currencies following dovish commentary from Fed’s Kashkari, who noted that rate cuts should be accompanied by a change in forward guidance.

Source: DailyFX

IG Client Sentiment

WHATS DRIVING MARKETS TODAY

• “S&P 500, Crude Oil, Gold Price Technical Outlook & More” by Paul Robinson, Currency Strategist

• “Canadian Dollar Price Outlook: USD/CAD Faces Data and Central Bank Risks” by Nick Cawley, Market Analyst

• “Gold Price Analysis: FOMC Minutes Ahead, However, Jackson Hole Takes Precedence” by Justin McQueen, Market Analyst

• “Using FX To Effectively Trade Global Market Themes at IG” by Tyler Yell, CMT , Forex Trading Instructor