VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Escalating geopolitical tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and Hurricane Beryl's potential impact on Gulf Coast refineries push US crude oil prices to reach a two-month high.

Oil prices surged as Goldman Sachs predicted a supply deficit due to summer demand, aiming for Brent crude to hit $86 per barrel despite OPEC+ production increase.

US crude oil refiners are reportedly preparing to increase their operations above 90% capacity following the completion of planned maintenance.

US crude inventories reaching record highs led to further declines in oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate dropping below $80 per barrel, surprising traders and reducing investor confidence.

Investors had already opted out after crude oil dips off.

Schlumberger Ltd, on Thursday, reported a net loss of $1 billion for the fourth quarter and also said that it has axed 10,000 additional employees, as an effort to adjust its resource and cost base.

Capital outflows from developing markets were higher than it was anticipated last year, according to a report by Institute of International Finance. The reason behind this oceanic change in emerging markets cash flow is China, which dragged out 676 billion US dollar.

Saudi Arabia oil minister Ali al-Naimi said that stability in the oil market will be attained only through the cooperation amid major manufacturers and this would take time. Ali al-Naimi added that although the worldwide oil market has been experiencing an instability for over 12 months, he is hopeful regarding the return and future of the oil market.

With the lifting of international sanctions from Tehran, India would be able to recommence its unobstructed oil import from the Persian Gulf country. Iran is anticipated to boost its oil export of 1.1 million barrels per day by 500,000, according to the Indian Oil Cooperation.

UK-based Oil giant BP Plc plans to trim 4,000 jobs in its crude-oil production unit as crude oil price slump.

Brent oil prices fell on Wednesday, dropping below $30 a barrel to touch $29.96 for the first time since April 2, 2004.

State-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (ARAMCO) is possibly going for an IPO aiming to raise funds for $1 trillion to $10 trillion. Some shares of the IPO may be awarded among the local banks and investors following ARAMCO’s action plan. However, experience in banking operations in the kingdom is believed to play the key role for selection which put HSBC and JPMorgan well ahead in the IPO grabbing race.

The overnight gains on the Wall Street have boosted the market sentiment on Asian bourses ahead of the US Federal Reserve's meeting. The trading on Wednesday registered positive momentum in equities across the Asian markets.

The US Congress is pushing a tax break for oil refiners as a compromise to finally allow unrestricted crude-oil exports. According to The Wall Street Journal, the bill could potentially end the long-time ban on U.S. oil exports, which has been around for forty years.

Asian stocks dropped on low trading volume as commodity producers followed fall in industrial metals and crude oil. Investors and institutions are in the wait and watch mode ahead of US Fed's meeting in December.