
Oil prices fell to their lowest since 2002 as coronavirus measures cut demand for transport fuel. Brent dropped to $22.58 and WTI fell below $20 during the session.
Prices had more than halved over the previous month as companies cut back or closed production, and a Saudi-Russia price war added to the pressure.
Grounded airlines and reduced road traffic drove a sharp fall in fuel demand, which pushes crude and energy costs lower. Lower energy costs ease input and freight costs for feed producers, but the demand shock signals weaker economic activity.
After 565 past bearish macro events, Crude Oil (WTI) moved a median -1.4% over 5 sessions (41% higher; middle half -5.9% to +3.0%), and -0.5% over 20.
After 312 past bearish macro events, Crude Oil (Brent) moved a median -1.7% over 5 sessions (38% higher; middle half -5.4% to +2.3%), and -1.7% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.
Brent fell to about $22.58, the lowest since 2002, on lockdown-driven transport fuel demand loss and price war supply pressure.