Investing.com -- Oil prices fell Friday, to end the week deep in the red as growing optimism over an extended ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war cooled the supply risks premium baked into prices.
By 14:30 ET (19.30 GMT), the U.S. crude futures settled 2.1% lower at $72.28 a barrel and the Brent contract dropped 1.9% to $77.19 a barrel. the crude benchmarks fell more than 7% this week.
Talk of Israel/Hamas ceasefire deflates supply risk premium
Multiple media reports suggest Israeli and Hamas leaders were considering a ceasefire that many expect to mark a severe de-escalation in military tensions in the Middle East, which have been a key point of support for oil prices in recent months.
Attacks by the Iran-aligned, Yemeni Houthi group on vessels in the Red Sea had disrupted shipping activity in the region. After U.S.-led forces recently struck back against the Houthis, the conflict saw several shipping operators steer clear of the Suez Canal, which in turn pointed to potential oil delivery delays in Europe and Asia.
But given that the Houthis’ main point of contention was the Israel-Hamas war, any de-escalation in the conflict is expected to wind down tensions in the Red Sea, lifting any disruptions to oil supplies.
Strong jobs data boosts dollar to pile on crude price woes
The US Dollar Index jumped Friday following U.S. monthly jobs data showing the economy created 353,000 last month, from an upwardly revised total of 333,000 in December, and significantly above the expected 187,000.
A stronger dollar makes oil, priced in the U.S. dollars, more expensive and less attractive to foreign buyers.
These strong numbers followed the Federal Reserve downplaying expectations for early interest rate cuts in 2024, during a meeting earlier this week.
Keeping interest rates at elevated levels could further cool economic activity, hitting crude demand in the world’s largest consumer.
(Peter Nurse, Ambar Warrick contributed to this article.)