Oil prices fell, dropping below $ 106 per barrel, helped by a report published by the Ministry of Energy. It became known that crude oil inventories rose last week, thus, reaching its highest level in more than two decades.

The data showed that crude oil inventories in the U.S. rose by 0, 25 million barrels, amounting in this case 388.874 million barrels, while gasoline stocks rose by 1.699 million barrels to 222.363 million. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy said that distillate stocks in the U.S. fell by 0.169 million barrels to 112.817 million. We also learned that the oil terminal in Cushing last week rose by 0.889 million barrels to 50.07 million barrels and refinery utilization in the United States amounted to 86.8% against 86.3% a week earlier.

Meanwhile, today it was reported that OPEC cut its outlook for growth in oil demand in 2013 to 40,000 barrels a day, remarking that the revision of the forecast for demand associated with fears over Cyprus. In addition, the data showed that in March, oil cartel decreased by 0.1 million barrels per day to 30.19 million barrels a day because of Nigeria.

In addition, we note that the impact on the dynamics of trade data, which were presented today General Administration of Customs of China. According to the report, in March trade deficit of 884 million, while according to the average forecast of economists was to be recorded a surplus of $ 15.15 billion Recall that in February, the trade surplus was $ 15.23 billion in addition, the data showed that exports in March rose by 10 per cent per annum, which was significantly less than forecast at 11.7 percent increase. We also recall that in February, exports increased by 21.8 percent. On the other hand, the volume of imports rose last month to 14.1 percent per annum, ahead of forecast growth of 6 percent and offsetting most of the decline from the previous month, which was 15.2 percent.

May futures on U.S. light crude oil WTI (Light Sweet Crude Oil) dropped to 93.86 dollars per barrel.

May futures price for North Sea Brent crude oil mixture fell to $ 105.62 a barrel on the London exchange ICE Futures Europe.

Gold prices fell sharply, dropping at the same time below $ 1570, which was associated with the expectations of the publication of minutes of the last meeting of the FOMC. Note that due to human error, the Fed minutes were presented for 5 hours earlier than planned. As it became known, records showed that all but a handful of leaders Fed at its last meeting agreed that they wanted to continue the program, at least until the middle of the year. "But they expressed a range of views on how to buy bonds may develop after mid-year. Some leaders at the March meeting, it seemed that the Fed will be able to start reducing purchases of bonds around the middle of the year. Others expect that the Fed will continue to purchase until September, after which they will roll. Several executives wanted to continue the program at its current rate until the end of 2013 year and in 2014. Some also did not rule out the possibility of increasing the program if economic prospects worsen.

We also add that the drop in the value of gold has contributed information that Goldman Sachs lowered its forecast for the price of gold for 2013 and 2014. According to estimates Goldman Sachs, by the end of 2013 enes at reaching $ 1,450 per ounce, while by the end of 2014 they will be equal to 1270 dollars per ounce. Meanwhile, it was reported that Goldman Sachs started to open short positions in the gold futures on the COMEX.

May futures on COMEX gold fell today, and now stands at 1569.50 dollars per ounce.

Change % Change Last

GOLD 1,584.30 +11.80 +0.75%

OIL 94.03 +0.67 +0.72%