Gold prices add to record high amid fiscal, tariff concerns
Investing.com-- Oil prices rose in European trading on Monday after recording monthly losses for August, as investors weighed supply disruptions linked to airstrikes in the Russia-Ukraine conflict against the prospect of rising output and the impact of elevated U.S. tariffs on demand.
As of 06:49 ET (10:49 GMT), Brent oil futures expiring in October advanced by 0.8% to $68.03 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures moved up 0.9% to $64.49 per barrel.
Both contracts dropped more than 7% in August, dragged by supply glut fears from steady OPEC+ production hikes.
On Sunday, Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky said the country would retaliate against Russian drone strikes on its power facilities. Ukraine and Russia have exchanged air attacks in recent weeks that have targeted energy infrastructure and threatened to put a crimp on Russian oil exports.
Hopes for an end to the multi-year conflict have dimmed after U.S. President Donald Trump last month urged Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold direct talks before considering a trilateral summit hosted by Washington.
Still, supply disruption fears from possible sanctions on Russian oil buyers have eased.
“Oil prices settled lower last week despite growing European calls for secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil and gas. The mild reaction may suggest the market is becoming increasingly numb towards sanction risks,” ING analysts said in a note.
Investors gauge demand outlook; Chinese PMI in focus
Traders also assessed seasonal factors, with U.S. fuel demand expected to soften as the summer driving season ends.
Rising OPEC+ output in the coming months is likely to add further supply, raising concerns that inventories could build if economic growth stays subdued.
At the same time, the demand outlook remains uncertain following mixed economic readings from China. The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) contracted again in August, while a private RatingDog survey -- compiled by S&P Global -- showed that factory activity rebounded at the fastest pace in five months.
(Ayushman Ojha contributed reporting.)