The company's adjusted loss shrank to $201 million, or 19 cents per share, in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, from $331 million, or 31 cents per share, in the third quarter.
The consolidation from the Jan. 13 high of $54.72 seems to have been shaped into a wedge, which has been confirmed as a bullish continuation pattern. It suggests a target around $58.01.
The monthly averages for January for Dubai and Oman as quoted by Platts are indicated in the table. Middle East producers set their monthly official selling prices (OSPs) at premiums or discount to these averages.
The consolidation from $53.93 has lasted so long that it raises some concern on whether the uptrend could remain steady. A break below $51.35 could signal a reversal of the trend.
Pakistan LNG, a government subsidiary that procures LNG from the international market, also bought one cargo from Qatar Petroleum Trading for delivery over March 24 to 25 at a slope rate of 12.7%, they said.
As long as the contract remains firm above a support at $52.34, the 23.6% retracement of the uptrend from $47.18 to $53.93, it may revisit the high of $53.93.
On the daily chart, oil failed twice to break a support at $54.50, the 261.8% projection level on the uptrend from $39.34. The failures suggest the formation of a double-bottom.
Support is at $55.52, a break below which may cause a fall into $54.83-$55.18 range. On the daily chart, oil stabilised around a support at $54.50, the 261.8% projection level on the uptrend from $39.34.