Oil prices have risen markedly today , which was due to concerns about potential supply disruptions on the background of the possibility of conducting new sanctions on Russia's energy sector . U.S. data pointed to the growth of the economy , as prices of second-hand .

Note that yesterday the United States and the European Union have agreed to work together to prepare possible further economic sanctions in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine and to make Europe less dependent on Russian gas. U.S. President Barack Obama warned at a press conference that " the isolation of Russia will worsen tougher sanctions " if Moscow will continue the current course . Analysts say that uncertainty about Russia led to an increase in risk premiums in oil prices .

In addition, price increases help yesterday inventory data . Recall that oil stocks at Cushing last week fell by 1.33 million barrels - to 28.5 million barrels, minimum 2 years. Declines have been the eighth consecutive week . In general, U.S. crude inventories increased by 6.62 million barrels - up to 382.5 million barrels , the highest since November, and distillates - increased by 1.55 million barrels. Demand for gasoline in the United States exceeded 9 million barrels per day for the first time since the beginning of 2014 , rising by 5.8 % last week .

Meanwhile , we note that oil prices could fall to $ 12 per barrel if the United States as part of sanctions against Russia will start selling from strategic reserves of 500 thousand barrels per day. This was stated by an economist at the University of Calgary. At the same time, the expert of Energy Analytics Group Ltd. Tone Finlon believes that the impact will be short lived , as the prices on the world oil market quickly recovered after the previous cases, the sale of fuel from the U.S. reserves . As the senior partner Edward Chow , provisions exist to prevent disruptions , and not to manipulate prices.

With regard to the current situation , the prices are also affected by the fact that oil exports from Iran, the fifth consecutive month exceeds the amount of the sanctions , according to sources that track the movement of tankers. Within six months, until July 20, average exports should not exceed 1 million barrels, but at least November shipment to Asia remain above this level. Nigeria , by contrast, reduces oil exports because of theft . Deliveries may fall to its lowest level since 2009, when it started tracking them , and by May Nigeria may cease to be the largest exporter of oil in Africa .

May futures for U.S. light crude oil WTI (Light Sweet Crude Oil) rose to $ 101.62 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).

May futures price for North Sea Brent crude oil mixture rose $ 0.84 to $ 107.67 a barrel on the London exchange ICE Futures Europe.

Gold prices continued to decline today , reaching a six-week low at the same time , which was due to pressure from the stronger dollar and signs of improvement in the U.S. economy. Today's report from the U.S. Commerce Department showed that consumer spending late last year increased more significantly than previously thought , which supported the economy before the recent disruptions caused by severe weather conditions this winter. Reported gross domestic product , the broadest indicator of goods and services produced in the economy , in the 4th quarter of 2013 increased by 2.6 % compared with the same period last year. This value is higher than the second assessment that GDP grew by 2.4 %, but below economists' forecast for growth of 2.7% . GDP growth in the 4th quarter after growth slowed to 4.1% in the 3rd quarter, but the indicator base strength of the economy has risen. Growth in real final sales , which do not take into account the volatility of stocks subject , accelerated to 2.7% from 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. Last GDP report testified that consumer spending, which account for around two thirds of GDP , grew at the fastest pace since the end of 2010. In the 4th quarter, consumer spending rose by 3.3% , whereas previously assumed their growth by 2.6%. In the 3rd quarter , they rose by 2%.

Were also important labor market data , which showed that the number of initial claims for unemployment benefits (a measure of layoffs throughout the economy ) decreased by 10,000 and totaled a seasonally adjusted 311,000 in the week ended March 22. Economists had forecast 326,000 new claims for the week . The number of initial claims for the week ending March 15 was slightly revised to 321,000 from 320,000 . The four-week moving average of initial claims fell to 317,750 last week (the lowest level since last September)

Note that gold is under heavy selling pressure in recent sessions , as market participants and institutional investors have reduced long positions on expectations that the Fed may raise interest rates earlier than previously thought . This assumption arose after Fed Chairman Janet Yellen said last week that the bank may start to raise interest rates after about six months after the completion of bond-buying program , which is expected to happen this fall.

The cost of the April gold futures on the COMEX today dropped to $ 1297.00 per ounce.