POLL - Oil prices to ease in H2 as disruption fears wane
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/04/21/idINIndia-56491120110421
Reuters) - Crude oil prices are expected to fall to an average of $108 a barrel in the third quarter, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday, as analysts expect current highs around $124 to dent demand and economic growth.
"In our base case, prices remain elevated in the second quarter this year but correct downwards in the second half, as prices start to impact demand and markets appear oversupplied." Credit Agricole CIB analyst Christophe Barret said.
"We have Brent prices returning to $85 a barrel in the second half of 2011."
<b><< this analyst guy is a moran if he thinks $85 Brent in this year >>> </b>
- For the second quarter, prices will average $104.63 a barrel from $99.84 a barrel;
- while on the third quarter they will average $100.81 a barrel from $98.53 a barrel.
"In our base case, prices remain elevated in the second quarter this year but correct downwards in the second half, as prices start to impact demand and markets appear oversupplied." Credit Agricole CIB analyst Christophe Barret said.
Brent was trading at about $124 and U.S. crude was just below $112 on Thursday.
<b>
"We continue to expect that there will be no further disruption to oil supply despite the ongoing political uncertainty in North Africa and the Middle East," said Caroline Bain from the Economist Intelligence Unit.
"This will mean that the risk premium in the market will start to fade in the second half of 2011," adding that the strong prices could lead to some rationing in the first half of the year.
</b>
DOWNWARD CORRECTION ON THE CARDS
Analysts expect the geopolitical price premium associated with potential disruptions in other oil producing countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) could wane, bringing crude futures back towards $100 a barrel.
"Risks are still skewed to the upside but if price gains pick up pace and remain at lofty levels for prolonged periods, the ultimate impact should be dampening demand and subsequent downside oil price corrections," Daniel Hwang from Gain Capital