Oil falls back below USD80 on economic uncertainty, but growth expected to resume

On Wednesday, China's Customs Bureau stated China's trade surplus reached an 18-month high as exports rose to record levels (gaining 38.1%, but down from growth of 43.9% in Jun-2010) and import gains slowed (to 22.7%, down from 34.1% in Jun-2010). The gap surged 170% year-on-year to USD28.7 billion, ahead of the USD20 billion recorded in Jun-2010 and significantly ahead of analyst forecasts. The move could add to the political pressure on Beijing to appreciate its currency more quickly.

The previous day, the US Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System warned that the "pace of recovery in output and employment has slowed in recent months", adding that "the pace of economic recovery is likely to be more modest in the near term than had been anticipated". Based on this forecast, the US Federal Reserve assured more stimulus spending to help support the nation's economic recovery.

WTI increases expected in 2H2010 and 2011

The US Energy Information Administration Short-Term Economy Outlook report, released on 10-Aug-2010, projected that the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) spot price, which ended Jul-2010 at more than USD78 per barrel, will average USD81 per barrel in 4Q2010, approximately USD80/barrel in 2H2010 and USD84 per barrel in 2011. It is predicted to end 2011 at USD85/barrel, with all the forecasts slightly above those in Jul-2010's outlook.

The agency added that the short-term economic outlook "is highly uncertain" and that significant risks to oil demand growth remain.

WTI Crude Oil Price Outlook: Jan-2009 to Dec-2011

Source: US Energy Information Administration

From 12-week high to two-week low in the space of a week

Oil prices retreated for a second day on 11-Aug-2010, with benchmark crude for September delivery falling USD2.23 to settle at USD78.02 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, Brent crude dropped USD1.96 to settle at USD77.64 on the ICE Futures exchange. The preceding day, on 10-Aug-2010, crude oil slipped USD1.23 to USD80.25/barrel, while Brent lost USD1.39 to USD79.60.

WTI spot price (USD per barrel): 10-Aug-2009 to 10-Aug-2010

Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & US Energy Information Administration

Daily jet fuel prices (kerosene, cents per gallon) at New York, US Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Singapore: 10-Aug-2009 to 10-Aug-2010

Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & US Energy Information Administration

In other markets, jet fuel prices decreased during the week, with the largest reductions seen in New York Harbour (-3.0%), Los Angeles (-3.0%) and Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (-2.9%), with prices in all markets (except WTI Spot) falling to settle in the USD214-221 range as at 10-Aug-2010, for a 12-month change in the 9%-14% range.

Daily jet fuel prices (kerosene, cents per gallon) at New York, US Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Singapore vs Crude Spot price (WTI, USD per barrel): 03-Aug-2010 to 10-Aug-2010

Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & US Energy Information Administration