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Investment Banks Make Controversial Oil Forecast for 2018

After the OPEC+ deal was extended not so long ago, several investment banks changed their predictions for the global oil prices in 2018. Bloomberg tried to compile those prediction into a single article. 

CBOE Launches World’s First Bitcoin Futures

As promised, the CBOE launched the world's first Bitcoin futures on December 10^th at 15 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST). The first BTC futures trading session started at 15000 USD/BTC. Within the first couple of minutes, there were 150 transactions processed. Over the first 20 minutes, the exchange rate increased up to 15940 USD/BTC. Lateron, itwenttemporarilyupto 16600 USD/BTC.

American Shale Oil Producers Enjoy OPEC+ Deal Extension

On the last day of November, the OPEC and several non-OPEC oil exporters met in Vienna to discuss the future of the global oil market during the OPEC summit. The summit ended with extending the OPEC+ deal until the end of 2018. Experts say this decision means the OPEC+ participants have lost the long-term oil war with American shale oil companies.

OPEC Is Worried About U.S. Shale Oil Production Prospects

The OPEC is concerned that their American rivals producing shale oil may catch at the chance given them by the OPEC+ deal. The deal is aimed to cap oil production and restore the market balance in favor of higher oil prices. The OPEC+ agreement is likely to be extended during the forthcoming OPEC summit on November 30^th in Vienna, Austria.

U.S. Stats Pushed Oil Prices Higher

According to online source Finanz, the U.S. crude oil inventories shrank over the past week, which pushed oil prices higher. After 3 weeks of retracing, crude oil is rallying confidently again. The Brent oil futures for January delivery reached $63,29/b, which is 1,15% higher than a day before. At the same time, The WTI oil futures for January delivery gained more than 2% and reached $57,94/b, which is the highest level since July 2015.

Oil Market Is Under Pressure In Advance of OPEC Summit

Saudi Arabia Doesn’t Want Oil Prices to Grow Too Fast

Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia doesn’t want oil prices to grow too fast. This is what Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia Khalid A. Al-Falih told during his speech at the UN Climate Change Conference 2017 in Bonn, Germany.

What’s the Fair Price of Crude Oil Today?

For many economies out there, especially those dependent on the export of crude oil, oil prices have always been a major indicator to monitor. These days, the international expert community is divided over the future of the global oil market. 

Crude Oil Stops Being a Lifeline for the Russian Ruble

 The U.S. Dollar is getting more expensive against the Russian Ruble again as the Russian currency is feeling pressure from the new round of the Western sanctions. Crude oil seems to have stop saving the day for the Russian economy and national currency.

Oil Market Shows No Reaction To Optimistic OPEC Report

Oil market showed almost no reaction to the annual OPEC oil report released on November 13th, even though the report happened to be fairly optimistic. In particular, while WTI oil futures for December delivery increased in price by as little as 0,11% up to $56,80/b, Brent oil futures for January delivery lost 0.09% and moved down to $63,46/b.