Prices of oil futures fell nearly $ 1, has come under pressure due to the strengthening US dollar and expectations of the publication of statistics on the number in the US rig. The decline of oil prices has also been associated with negative dynamics of the global stock market.

Oil prices jumped nearly doubled since January, when it reached the lowest level since the end of 2003, which was mainly due to the unplanned interruptions in oil production in countries such as Canada, Venezuela, Libya and Nigeria. However, as prices have reached a level where drilling activity is profitable for some companies, the number of rigs may begin to grow and the reduction of production volumes in the United States may slow down. Today at 17:00 GMT Baker Hughes oilfield services company reported as changing the number of drilling rigs in the United States for the past week. Recall, according to the results ended June 3 working weeks, the number of drilling rigs in the US increased by 4 points, or 0.9%, to 408 units. In annual terms, a decline of 460 units or 52.9%. Number of oil rigs for the week increased by 9 units to 325 units. It was only the second increase this year. Prior to this, the number of oil rigs was reduced by an average of 10 units per week. Recall that last year the number of plants was reduced by an average of 18 units per week on concerns about oversupply.

Important market participants also switched to the Fed meeting, which will take place on 15 June. It Open Market Committee will decide on interest rates. Raising rates will promote appreciation of the dollar, which will reduce the price of oil. Despite the fact that most analysts do not expect such a move, investors prefer to take profits. Today futures on interest rates Fed indicate that the probability of a rate hike of 2% in June. The chances of an increase in rates are estimated at 23% in July.

WTI for delivery in July fell to $49.53 a barrel. Brent for July fell to $50.87 a barrel.

Gold prices rose moderately, reaching a new three-week high, helped by the strengthening of demand for safe-haven assets due to concerns about the negative yield of government bonds on the international markets, the Fed meeting, as well as a referendum in Britain.

Precious metal, which is often seen as insurance against economic and financial problems, increased by almost 2 percent this week after a weaker-than-expected data on the US labor market have sharply reduced the chances of an early increase in interest rates the US Fed. Meanwhile, recent comments by Fed chief also confirmed the intention of the Central Bank to postpone the rate hike as long as the uncertainty about the economic outlook does not shatter. Today futures on interest rates Fed indicate that the probability of a rate hike of 2% in June. The chances of an increase in rates are estimated at 23% in July. Recall, the higher interest rates in the US have a negative impact on the price of gold, since lead to a stronger dollar, which trades precious metals. This makes the purchase of gold more expensive for holders of other currencies.

"The market is no longer worried that the Fed will raise rates next week. Investors are more wary of the approaching referendum in the UK, which is likely to help increase the demand for gold, "- said Jens Pedersen, an analyst at Danske Bank.

"If the Fed refuses to raising rates in June and July and has not specified a specific time frame for further policy tightening, gold will get some support, and the US dollar will fall in price", - said Commerzbank analyst Daniel Briesemann.

Gold reserves in the largest gold ETF-fund SPDR Gold Trust rose by the end of Thursday's 0.7 percent, to 887.38 tonnes, the highest level since October of 2013.

The cost of the August gold futures on the COMEX rose to $ 1277.3 per ounce.

(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Oil 50.48 -0.16%

Gold 1,271.90 -0.06%