• Oil price is declining towards $75.50 as the expectations for more rate hikes by the Fed are escalating.
•  Producers in China are failing to lift the WPI from deflation, indicating that the retail demand is still stagnant.
• The oil inventory data by the US API will be keenly watched.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI), futures on NYMEX, have dropped after failing to surpass the critical resistance of $77.50. The oil price is expected to extend its downside to near $75.50 as investors are worried that accelerating chances of further policy tightening by the Federal Reserve (Fed) will strengthen recession fears in the United States.

The release of the upbeat preliminary S&P US PMI data was loud and clear that economic activities are routing to the expansionary road led by solid consumer spending. A sheer recovery in retail demand could renew the fears of a rebound in inflationary pressures. Also, Fed chair Jerome Powell has already cleared that inflation is persistent and the consideration of a pause in policy tightening would be premature.

On Wednesday, the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes will determine what authorities are planning for the terminal rate and targets decided for inflation for the current year and a roadmap for achieving the 2% inflation target.

The US Dollar Index (DXY) is gathering strength to deliver a break above the immediate resistance of 103.90 amid the risk aversion theme.

Meanwhile, fading hopes of a sheer recovery in China after lifting the pandemic controls by the administration is impacting the oil price. Producers are failing to lift the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) from deflation, which indicates that the retail demand is still stagnant. Therefore, the inability of the Chinese government in spurting the overall demand despite releasing helicopter money is barricading the black gold.

Wednesday’s release of the weekly crude stockpiles for the week ending February 17 by the US American Petroleum Institute (API) will be keenly watched. The inventory data is delayed to Wednesday as US markets were closed on Monday on account of Presidents’ Day.