“Oil traded close to a one week-high after industrial output and retail sales accelerated last month in China, the world’s second-biggest crude consumer.
West Texas Intermediate futures were little changed after closing at the highest since Oct. 9. China’s industrial production increased 9.2 percent in September and retail sales rose the most since March, the National Bureau of Statistics said in Beijing today. The physical oil market is tight, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
“The China numbers are in line with what people expected, so that’s the good news,” said Andy Sommer, a senior oil analyst at Axpo Trading AG in Dietikon, Switzerland, who predicts Brent crude will trade at $112 a barrel by year-end. “Chinese officials suggested fourth-quarter growth would be better, which is hopeful for demand.”
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