Isis fighters launch attack on key oil field in Northern Iraq July 31, 2016 At least five workers were killed and major oil pumping was shut down after Islamic state militants attacked a gas facility and an oil field in Northern Iraq today. Four employees were shot dead and two guards left critically injured after four gunmen stormed an AB2 gas compressor station in the early hours of this morning. [...]
Oil prices on a slick-ery slope: Brent crude slips through $42 per barrel mark and into bear market July 29, 2016 Just when you thought the price of a barrel of oil couldn't tumble any further, it goes and does this. Brent crude has dropped past the $42 mark today and into bear territory, as the fresh fall places the price hovering around 20 per cent lower than it was back in June. At time of writing, [...]
Anglo American jumps as its losses narrow in the first half July 28, 2016 Anglo American shares closed up 5.48 per cent to 843p this afternoon, after the embattled miner's losses narrowed in the first half. The FTSE 100-listed firm posted a net loss of $813 (£617m) in the six months to 30 June, more than two thirds less than the $3bn loss it recorded the same time a year ago. Underlying earnings fell [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open July 28, 2016 Last night the US Federal Reserve signalled the way to an interest rate rise before the US Presidential Election and investors are busy digesting the flood of earnings reports. Here's what you need to know before the US market open at 2:30pm. The pre-market is pointing lower ahead of the open but looks to be broadly [...]
Brent crude and WTI: Oil hovers near bear market territory as oversupply weighs July 28, 2016 Fresh oversupply concerns and waning international demand has pushed crude near bear market territory. Oil has fallen nearly 20 per cent since hitting a year-high above $52 per barrel in June, when it was buoyed by unexpected supply outages in countries across the world. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 0.97 per cent to $43.05 per barrel today. West [...]
Centrica blames warm weather in North America and low oil prices for 14 per cent dip in earnings July 28, 2016 British Gas owner Centrica today revealed that customer numbers plunged in the UK, as it blamed a combination of weak commodity prices and warmer weather in North America for a drop in earnings. The figures Revenue dropped by 13 per cent in the six months to 30 June, to £13.4bn from £15.5bn. Adjusted operating profit was [...]
Shell blames oil price and BG costs for 72 per cent drop in earnings July 28, 2016 Royal Dutch Shell maintained its dividend today despite recording a massive dip in earnings during the second quarter of 2016, which it blamed partly on the continued weak oil price. The figures Income attributable to shareholders fell by 71 per cent to $1.18bn (£896m) from $3.99bn in the second quarter of last year. Earnings attributable to [...]
Have we seen the end of volatility in the currency markets? July 27, 2016 In the hours after the referendum, sterling suffered its largest ever decline in the era of free-floating currencies. The pound fell from $1.50 just after the polls slammed shut to $1.33 as the count showed the Brexit camp were out in front. Sharp spikes up and down in the value of sterling characterised the referendum campaign. By [...]
Tullow Oil share price rises as it unexpectedly swings to profit July 27, 2016 Tullow Oil shares closed up 2.82 per cent to 204.50p today, after the Africa-focused oil explorer’s first half results smashed expectations. The figures The FTSE 250-listed firm beat expectations for a $196m loss with a net profit of $30m (£23m), up from a loss of $68m last year. This Africa-focused oil explorer's pre-tax profit rose to $24m from a loss of $10m. Revenue fell [...]
Oil prices plummet as US oil stocks hit fresh record high July 27, 2016 Oil hit a fresh two-month low today, after US government data stoked fears that the market recovery is coming along slower than expected. The US Energy Information Administration said US oil stocks swelled by 1.7m barrels in the week to 22 July, compared to analysts' expectations for a decrease of 2.3m barrels. Gasoline stocks rose by 452,000, dwarfing forecasts for a [...]
