On Mobile? Click here to download the PDF

Oil prices closed out the week lower in a choppy week as prices swung between positive and negative sessions. This is a bit of a “good news is bad news” situation as economic data from the US was generally strong but these also heightened concerns that the Federal Reserve would further tighten monetary policy. “Strong U.S. data bolstered concerns over rate hikes and prompted a rise in U.S. Treasury yields, which weighed on oil and other commodity prices,” said Kazuhiko Saito, chief analyst at Fujitomi Securities Co Ltd. Financials markets were generally risk-off this week as equities traded down and the dollar strengthened. WTI traded down $.97 or-1.24% to close at $77.52. Brent traded down $.96 or -1.13% to close at $84.18.