Oil gains on prospect of U.S. interest rate cut

Oil prices rose on Monday as the prospect of an expected interest rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve overshadowed pessimism over U.S.-China trade talks and oil demand fears stoked by forecasts for slower global economic growth.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 21 cents at $63.67 a barrel by 1330 GMT after hitting a session low of $62.92.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 was up 58 cents at $56.78 a barrel after touching a low of $55.91.

Traders and investors are keeping a close eye on the Fed this week, with U.S. central bankers expected to lower borrowing costs this week for the first time since the depths of the financial crisis more than a decade ago.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Twitter that a small Fed rate cut “is not enough”.

Economic growth in the United States slowed less than expected in the second quarter, with a boom in consumer spending, strengthening the outlook for oil consumption.

But non-U.S. growth is slowing faster, partly because of the trade war with China over the past year.

“Even though the crude oil supply picture is fundamentally tight … and geopolitical risks front and center, the market remains extremely bearish around demand risks due to the escalation in protectionist trade policies and the risk of additional punitive tariffs,” said Emily Ashford, director of energy research at Standard Chartered.

U.S. and Chinese negotiators meet this week for the first time since trade talks broke down in May, but expectations are low after President Trump said that China might not want to sign a trade deal until after the 2020 U.S. election.

“On the trade front, expectations may be low ahead of renewed Sino-U.S. talks, but any positive echoes this week will lift market sentiment,” said BNP Paribas global oil strategist Harry Tchilin