KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Friday amid mixed regional market performance as investors turned cautious over a possible rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and upcoming US economic data that may influence the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision next week. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) pared most earlier losses to settle 4.55 points easier, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,616.52 from Thursday’s close of 1,621.07. The benchmark index, which opened 0.37 of-a-point lower at 1,620.70, moved between 1,609.67 and 1,621.25 throughout the day. The broader market was negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 604 to 439. A total of 550 counters were unchanged, 1,151 untraded, and 18 suspended. Turnover declined to 3.17 billion units worth RM2.24 billion from 4.48 billion units worth RM2.75 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-presiden...
It was difficult to imagine that the oil price will be at 70 per barrel 6 months ago but today, the oil price has plunged to $70.15 per barrel.
OPEC's decision not to cut production is indirectly a declaration of price war in the crude market and the challenge to US shale drillers.
Here is a look at why the sharp drop in the oil price.
First, US production has nearly doubled in recent years to 9 million barrels a day and analysts expect the production to rise by more than 1 million next year. And like all commodities and trades, an oversupply will drive the prices down. With this supply, Saudi Arabia and OPEC have essentially surrender to the inevitability of the lower prices from the exploding improvement in the US energy production.
As OPEC maintained their output target, the oil price plunged to a point where some of the shale projects may lose money.
This is a new era, where the market itself will manage supply. Saudi Arabia and OPEC knew it and their decision is a sign of surrender. The markets have changed for many years to come.
To a certain extend, this is a victory to the US energy independence. It is also a victory for the workings of the free market. Greater supply and not government cartel that drives the price down.
The next question that comes into mind is this: HOW LOW CAN THE OIL PRICE GO?
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