Oil steady; US-China tensions weigh, possible output cuts support

[NEW YORK] Oil futures steadied on Monday as rising US-China tensions weighed on sentiment, but prices drew support from reports that Opec and Russia were close to a deal extending output cuts.

Brent futures rose 48 cents, or 1.3 per cent, to settle at US$38.32 a barrel. US crude fell 5 cents, or 0.1 per cent, to settle at US$35.44 a barrel.

Prices found support after news that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia, known as Opec+, were moving closer to a compromise on extending oil output cuts and were discussing rolling over the curbs one to two months.

Algeria, which holds the rotating Opec presidency, has proposed that Opec+ hold a meeting on June 4 rather than the previously planned June 9-10.

Stockpiles at Cushing, Oklahoma, fell to 54.3 million barrels in the week to May 29, traders said, citing a Genscape report on Monday.

Bank of America said Monday it believed that North American oil shut-ins peaked in May.

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"Oil prices have strengthened to levels where shutting-in no longer makes sense and should actually encourage producers to quickly restore production," according to a BofA Global Research report.

Investors have turned more cautious, however, after China warned of retaliation on US moves over Hong Kong.

China has asked its state-owned firms to halt purchases of soybeans and pork from the United States, two people familiar with the matter said, after Washington said it would eliminate special US treatment for Hong Kong to punish Beijing.

"The possibility of heightened tensions does pose a risk for the recent rally in oil prices," said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity research at BNP Paribas.

Economic concerns and questions about fuel demand recovery also weighed on oil futures. Manufacturing data on Monday showed that Asian and European factories were struggling as government-imposed lockdowns tempered demand.

REUTERS