Four problems for oil
One of the key factors driving the perceived inflation scare is oil prices. However, there are reasons for oil's rise to face headwinds.
Four reasons oil faces headwinds
Firstly, according to Bloomberg, Chinese storage capacity for oil is near capacity. The low prices for oil had been an opportunity to buy it in cheap, but the tanks are nearly full.
Secondly, the dollar keeps rallying. Either expectations of faster interest rates or safe haven flows kept the USD supported last week. This is a headwind for oil.
Thirdly, shale can come back online as oil prices rise. If shale supply grows that is another headwind for oil prices.
Fourthly, rising COVID-19 cases in Europe, The more these cases build, then the less oil needed as lockdowns return for the eurozone.
The driver for higher oil prices is that OPEC may roll over production cuts if the oil prices keep drifting lower.
Inflation fears
For years markets expected rising inflation. However, globalisation largely kept that under control. It is worth noting that US core CPI is pretty flat and not showing signs of rising inflation. Recent data from the UK and Canada have shown the same thing. Inflation is pretty flat and weaker oil prices take away a key driver. Worth noting. US CPI below:
