Oil prices fall as traders wait for European growth figuresAugust 14, 2013 - 09:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The price of oil fell Wednesday, Aug 14 as traders waited for European growth figures that might show the continent has emerged from a long recession, The Associated Press reported. Benchmark crude for September delivery was down 63 cents to $106.20 per barrel at midday Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 72 cents to close at $106.83 on Tuesday. A relatively stronger dollar also worked against oil prices. Oil is traded in dollars and becomes a less attractive investment for holders of other currencies when the value of the greenback rises. In recent days, the dollar has posted gains against the Japanese yen, the Swiss franc, and the currencies of commodity-driven countries including Australia and Canada, said Michael Hewson, senior market analyst at CMC Markets. That could partly explain the falling price of oil in the face of brighter economic data from Europe and the U.S. The U.S. government reported slightly improved retail sales for July on Tuesday, while Germany said its ZEW investor confidence survey improved in August. There are hopes second quarter GDP figures due later Wednesday will show that the combined economy of the 17 countries that use the euro has started growing again. Brent crude, traded on the ICE Futures exchange in London, fell 67 cents to $107.81 a barrel. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |