Oil prices rallied today amid uncertainty of future interest rate hikes and a looming EU ban on Russian oil. Optimism around China’s Covid-19 policy is also pushing prices higher as a former disease control official said substantial changes would be coming soon. Today’s payrolls report showed a small jump in the unemployment rate, which could actually be considered bullish as it gives the Fed some wiggle room to shift towards smaller rate hikes. Both contracts had a strong week but gains were ultimately capped. “The China re-opening talk this morning got oil going, but the various Fed representatives have been making it clear there’s a long way to go with respect to interest rate hikes, and oil markets are more sensitive to that,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC. WTI traded up $4.44 or 5.04% to close at $92.61. Brent traded up $3.90 or 4.12% to close at $98.57.

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