Oil futures traded without a single dynamic, but only with a slight change. In the course of trading influence uncertainty about world supply, as well as news of the terrorist attacks in Brussels, which triggered a flight from risk in safer assets.

In recent weeks, expectations regarding the negotiation of oil producers have supported prices, but some analysts warned that the market players may be disappointed. Since the beginning of the month the price of WTI crude oil rose by about 20%. Some traders and analysts say that after such a significant rally have the opportunity to lock in profits.

"Today, oil traders very much distracted by macro events, assessing the mood in the broader markets," - said Matthew Smith, an expert Clipper Data.

Previously, support for the oil companies have data from Genscape, which showed that oil inventories in Cushing, Oklahoma, fell by 570,574 barrels to 69.05 million a week. Official data on US oil and petroleum products will be presented to the Ministry of Energy on Wednesday. Analysts predict that for the week ending March 18, crude oil inventories rose by 3.0 million barrels after increasing by 1.317 million. Barrels.

Negative impact on prices statements OPEC delegate from Libya, who noted that the country has no plans to attend the meeting to discuss the freezing of raw materials production, to be held in Doha next month. The delegate added that Libya wants to increase production until the situation allows. Before the civil war in 2011, Libya was producing 1.6 million barrels of oil per day, but now production is about 400,000 barrels per day.

Meanwhile, today the Deutsche Bank analysts said that has already begun re-balancing the global oil market. Excess supply in the world oil market in 2016. Deutsche Bank is estimated at 762 thousand barrels per day (b / d) in 2017 -. Three times less, 225 thousand b / d.. As a result, in 2018 the oil market could face a shortage of supply in the amount of 500 thousand. B / d. The volume of oil production in the US is estimated Deutsche Bank, will decline this year and next, but may stabilize in 2018.

WTI for delivery in May fell to $41.35 a barrel. Brent for April rose to $41.65 a barrel.

Gold prices rose nearly 1 percent, updating yesterday's high, which was caused by increased demand for safe-haven assets after the terrorist attacks in Brussels reports. Belgian broadcaster RTBF reported that in the course of attacks killed 34 people. for the attacks claimed responsibility militants of the terrorist group "Islamic State." The level of terrorist threat in Belgium increased to the maximum. In addition, the authorities closed the country's borders.

"The current rise in price of gold is mainly due to the terrorist attacks in Brussels, - says the analyst of ABN Amro Georgette Boele -. Investors bought back the precious metal as a safe haven after yesterday's fall on Fed comments of representatives". Recall, on the eve of the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Dennis Lockhart said that there is the possibility of higher interest rates in April. "The economy may justify a rate hike later this year, and perhaps quite soon, however, the planned course or specific decisions on interest rates there.", - The politician said. Meanwhile, the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco John Williams said he would support a rate hike at the meeting in April or June, if the economic data will remain within its expectations. Gold does not generate revenue, and it is difficult to compete with the profitable assets, such as Treasury bonds when interest rates are near zero. If in the long term interest rates remain unchanged, the gold, the price of which is denominated in dollars, will go up amid falling US currency. This year, prices for precious metals increased by almost 16% due to the instability in financial markets and concerns about the global economic downturn.

In addition, market participants drew attention to the data of the Customs Office of Switzerland, which showed that the export of gold fell to a 18-month low in February. Analysts believe that the physical demand for gold in China and India will also remain weak, at least until the end of March.

April futures price of gold on COMEX today rose to $ 1252.60 per ounce.

The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that according to a senior OPEC delegate, Saudi Arabia will join a deal to freeze the oil output regardless of Iran's participation.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said this month that the country was not ready to freeze its oil output until output of 4.0 million barrels a day was reached.

OPEC and non-OPEC countries plan to meet in Doha on April 17 to discuss the freeze of the oil production. OPEC secretary-general Abdullah Al Badri said on Monday that about 15 or 16 countries will participate in that meeting.

(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Oil 41.61 +0.22%

Gold 1,243.90 -0.02%