Oil falls as virus infections rise, eyes on EU recovery plan

LONDON: Oil prices fell on Monday as coronavirus cases increased in many countries across the globe, but investors remained cautiously optimistic about ongoing talks over a European Union-wide recovery fund to revive economies affected by the pandemic.

Brent crude was down 24 cents, or 0.6pc, at $42.90 per barrel by 0943 GMT while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slipped 23 cents, or 0.6pc, to $40.36.

"As things stand, prices are not likely to produce any sizeable gains very soon, until a signal that the pandemic slows down. And even though in Europe the virus has been cornered, the Americas and some Asian states have still a long way to go," said Rystad Energy's head of oil markets Bjornar Tonhaugen.

More than 14.5 million people have been infected by the novel coronavirus globally and more than 604,000 have died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the pathogen, according to a Reuters tally.

Investors are looking to the EU summit for trading cues, with leaders showing the first signs of compromise over carving up a proposed 750 billion euro ($858.30 billion) recovery fund to revive economies.

Japan's oil imports fell 14.7pc in June from the same month a year earlier, official figures showed on Monday.

The drop was not as pronounced as in May when they fell 25pc, year on year.

Also underscoring the impact of the virus, Japan's exports plunged 26.2pc in June from a year earlier, ministry of finance data showed on Monday.

While fuel demand has recovered from a 30pc drop in April after countries around the world imposed strict lockdowns, usage is still below pre-pandemic levels. US retail gasoline demand is falling again as infections rise.

"We recognise that further improvements in demand will be difficult to achieve, but also do not expect a return to April and May lows," JBC said in a note.

Rising tension between China and the United States also put pressure on prices.

China's embassy in Myanmar on Sunday accused the United States of "outrageously smearing" the country and driving a wedge with its Southeast Asian neighbours over the contested South China Sea and Hong Kong.

Saudi Arabia's 84-year-old ruler, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, has been admitted to hospital, suffering from inflammation of the gall bladder.

The king has ruled the world's largest crude oil exporter and close US ally since 2015.