BloombergOil is off to the worst start to a year since 1991, last month tumbling 16 percent on concern that the spread of a coronavirus in China will curb demand for transportation fuels. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called the virus an unprecedented public health threat. “This virus is requiring more out of the group as the demand picture gets weaker,” CIBC Private Wealth Management senior equity trader Rebecca Babin said. The more active April contract slid US$0.71 to US$56.62 per barrel, US$4.94 per barrel more than West Texas Intermediate for that month. Copper is widely used in manufacturing and is often seen as an indicator of how that sector is doing.

Source: Taipei Times February 01, 2020 15:56 UTC