LONDON: Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday as traders weighed supply cuts by the world's biggest oil exporters and hopes for higher demand in the developing world in the second half of 2023 against a sluggish global economic outlook.
Brent crude futures rose 35 cents to $78.21 a barrel by 01127 GMT and US West Texas Intermediate crude was up 38 cents at $73.52.
Supply cuts by top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia for August helped to lift the benchmark prices, which were also supported by the US dollar hitting a two-month low.
A weaker dollar makes crude cheaper for holders of other currencies and often boosts oil demand.
"Oil has found a floor and the only thing ... that could break that is if US inflation is scorching hot and the Fed is forced to tighten this economy into a recession," said OANDA analyst Edward Moya.
Markets are awaiting US inflation data on Wednesday to see if price pressures are continuing to moderate, which could provide clues on the interest rate outlook.
While central bank officials said the US Federal Reserve is likely to raise interest rates further to tame inflation, markets are somewhat pacified by indications that months of monetary policy tightening are nearing an end.
"Nevertheless, nerves are not completely calmed just yet. Anxiety is still palpable that recession fears could lead to downgrades in oil demand," said PVM analyst Tamas Varga.
Still, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is standing firm with the expectation that oil demand from China and developing countries, combined with recently announced supply cuts, is likely to keep the market tight in the second half of the year despite a sluggish global economy, its head said on Monday.
Seperately on Tuesday several sources told Reuters that top buyer China again requested less supply from the world's biggest oil exporter, Saudi Aramco. — Reuters
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