(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Gold $1,370.3 +13.10 +0.97%

ICE Brent Crude Oil $108.02 -0.31 -0.29%

NYMEX Crude Oil $98.14 -1.40 -1.41%

Oil prices fell markedly today , reaching at this month low (mark WTI), which was associated with the publication of a report on oil reserves in the United States.

Department of Energy data on changes in stocks in the week March 3-9 showed

- Oil reserves rose by 6.18 million barrels to 370.002 million barrels ;

- Gasoline inventories fell by 5.23 million barrels . to 223.766 million barrels . ;

- Distillate stocks fell by 0.533 million barrels . to 113.943 million barrels .

- Refining capacity utilization rate of 86.0 % against 87.4 % a week earlier ;

- Oil terminal in Cushing and decreased by 1.341 million barrels . to 30.791 million barrels .

We also recall that yesterday its inventory report presented Petroleum Institute API: He showed :

- Capacity utilization in the week 86.5% against 86.8%

- Distillate stocks last week -0.839 million barrels

- Gasoline inventories last week -2.15 million barrels

- Oil reserves for the week 2.63 million barrels

Add that control to the U.S. Energy Information (EIA) downgraded several forecasts for growth of oil production in the country for 2014 and 2015 . Consumption of raw materials in the current year that will remain at last year's level, and the next year - will grow by 0.3% , the report said the agency. According to the expectations of EIA, the average production volume of "black gold " in the United States in 2014 is 8.39 million barrels a day compared with the previous forecast of 8.42 million barrels . In 2015, production amounted to 9.16 million barrels instead of the expected 9.19 million barrels previously . At the same time , despite the worsening prognosis indicators remain well above last year's level to 7.45 million barrels per day.

Meanwhile , we note that today the organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC ) in the second consecutive month raised its forecast for growth in oil demand . At the same time, the cartel still warns of possible negative factors associated with emerging markets .

In its monthly oil market forecast by the cartel raised its forecast for growth in oil demand this year by 50,000 barrels per day. Last month, OPEC raised its forecast in the same way . Now OPEC suggest that oil demand this year will grow by 1.14 million barrels per day largely due to the increase in consumption in North America , as well as due to improved demand in Europe and Africa . Overall demand for oil on the basis of 2014 is estimated at 91.1 million barrels per day . At the same time, a key factor influencing the increase in world oil demand growth will be in developing countries , said the OPEC.

April futures price for U.S. light crude oil WTI (Light Sweet Crude Oil) fell to $98.34 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).

April futures price for North Sea Brent crude oil mixture fell 7 cents to $ 108.27 a barrel on the London exchange ICE Futures Europe.

Gold prices rose significantly today , while reaching a six-month high, as investors expect that fears of corporate defaults in China and geopolitical confrontation between Russia , Ukraine and the West have a negative impact on the stock market , and increase the attractiveness of the precious metal as a hedge against the risk of .

Concerns regarding China came to the fore after the data were published on China's exports in February. Index decreased by 18.1 % year on year, which was an unpleasant surprise for investors worldwide. Following these data came the news that a small Chinese company Shanghai Chaori Solar Energy, working in the field of solar energy , reported inability to pay its debts and as a result was declared bankrupt . This corporate default became the first in the history of China, but , according to analysts , not the last . The following defaults can occur in industries that are threatened by overproduction (this steel, nonferrous metals , coal mining ) .

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine has also affected the cost. Leaders of the G7 countries urged Russia not to support the holding of a referendum on the status of Crimea. They emphasize that such a referendum would be illegal and that they do not recognize its results. The statement noted that "if Russia annexed the Crimea, it would be a violation of the UN Charter " and a number of Russian- Ukrainian agreements. Furthermore, such a move would entail " further action " against Russia , leaders warn G7.

Market participants also continue to expect the Fed's policy meeting , which is scheduled for March 18-19 . The central bank is likely to announce a further reduction of bond-buying program to $ 10 billion after a series of U.S. economic data showing that growth was limited by difficult weather conditions .

Meanwhile, add that secured by gold exchange-traded funds received inflow of investments in the amount of $ 500 million in February after 13 months of outflows , according to BlackRock. But demand in the physical market fell after the price increase : the Chinese market gold at $ 3 per ounce cheaper than on the spot market in London , while at the beginning of the year, prices in China were $ 20 higher.

The cost of the April gold futures on the COMEX today rose to $ 1365.80 per ounce.