SINGAPORE: World oil prices fell from two-and-a-half year highs in Asia on Wednesday as traders reaped gains from the rally, analysts said. Investors were also awaiting an expected interest rate hike from the European Central Bank (ECB), a move seen to boost the euro and make dollar-priced oil cheaper. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for May, fell 45 cents to $107.89 per barrel. Brent North Sea crude for May delivery retreated 55 cents to $121.67 after touching $122.89 in intraday trade Tuesday, its highest level since August 2008, before closing at $122.22.
"I think it's just a very technical sell off after Brent hit $122 which is the highest level since August 2008," said Serene Lim, oil and gas analyst for ANZ bank in Singapore. She added that crude oil traders were looking to the ECB meeting on Thursday, where a hike in the central bank's interest rates was widely expected to be announced.
"The tone of the ECB on further rate hikes may be supportive of the euro and that will be supportive of oil prices," Lim told AFP. An ECB rate increase would push up oil prices as a stronger European currency would make US dollar-priced crude more attractive, perking up demand. However, there are also other factors affecting oil trading, including concerns over unrest in the Middle East and North Africa which could disrupt oil supplies coming from the region.
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