The price of a barrel of Brent crude hit $120 earlier in the day on the back of the EU deal, as well as the continued reopening of Shanghai and the better-than-expected Chinese PMIs. The gradual phasing in of the deal along with the exemptions included prevented the price from rising much higher, but ultimately it further tightens a market that’s already undersupplied.
The reopenings in China are another major bullish factor for crude prices for obvious reasons. While the manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMIs were both still contractionary, they were also much better than expected and a significant improvement on April. The lifting of restrictions will see these improve further, which will be another upside risk for oil prices.
Gold Slipping As Yields Rise
Gold remains choppy, around $1,850 and a little lower on the day, despite the risk-averse trade we’re seeing in Europe. The dollar is up around 0.3%, mirroring gold’s declines as U.S. yields have crept higher once more. The gold rally was – and remains – vulnerable to yields heading north again after a period of respite.
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