Brent Steady After Biggest Monthly Drop Since 2021
Brent crude oil futures stabilized around $61.1 per barrel on Thursday, after posting its largest monthly decline since 2021 as signs of another Saudi-led OPEC+ oil supply surge added to concerns about weakening demand amid a global trade war. Reports indicated that Saudi Arabia is briefing allies and industry experts to say the kingdom is unwilling to shore up the market with further output cuts and can endure a prolonged period of lower prices. This reinforced expectations that OPEC+ may announce a fresh increase in production when they meet on May 5. Additionally, the U.S. economy contracted in Q1, marking its first decline in three years, highlighting the economic disruptions caused by President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policy. Meanwhile, a larger-than-expected draw in U.S. crude inventories last week provided some support to prices.