James Hughes picks the key levels that the FTSE needs to stay above to end the year on a brighter note, but he warns that with thin trading volumes anticipated over Christmas volatility could increase yet further. Meanwhile, the forthcoming OPEC meeting is key for the oil price and unless a production cut is announced a dip below $40 a barrel seems likely.
3 Sept 2008 The world breathed a sigh of relief today as the price of oil slipped beneath US$110 a barrel for the first time since April. Today’s $6 fall followed confirmation that America’s energy infrastructure survived Hurricane Gustav relatively unscathed. Light crude has been hovering at $109.47 for most of the day, its lowest level since April. This is part of the volatility that has existed in world oil markets since 2004 – it will go up, come down a bit, go up some more, and come down a little bit, and then up again. The long term trend line is what you should focus on – not the daily spot rate. Still enjoy the cheaper petrol – but don’t expect it to last.