NYMEX-Crude at new 19-month low on demand worries
NEW YORK, Nov 10 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures fell to a fresh 19-month low at midday on Monday as ongoing worries about the global economic downturn renewed concerns over demand.
Prices had been higher earlier as stocks rallied in an initial reaction to a massive stimulus plan by China. But crude prices retreated when U.S. stocks turned lower on the day.
"The crude futures rally didn't last even half a day today because the oil markets are vulnerable to the steady drumbeat of bad economic data. Bad news from Fannie Mae, AIG and earlier GM all point to demand destruction," said Gene McGillian, analyst at Tradition Energy.
"Once the shock of (China's) surprise wears off, some of the gains will probably be given back," Mike Fitzpatrick, vice president of MF Global wrote in a research note.
PRICES
* In choppy trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 1 p.m. EST (1800 GMT), December crude CLZ8 was down 58 cents, or 0.95 percent, at $60.46 a barrel, trading from $59.10, the lowest since prices hit $56.10 on March 20, 2007, to $65.56.
* In London, December Brent LCOZ8 was down 29 cents, or 0.51 percent, at $57.06 a barrel, trading from $56.18 to $61.98.
* NYMEX December RBOB RBZ8 fell 2.23 cents, or 1.65 percent, to $1.3272 a gallon, trading from $1.30, the lowest since RBOB gasoline began trading in October 2005, to $1.4421.
* NYMEX December heating oil HOZ8 dipped 0.59 cent, or 0.3 percent, to $1.9725 a gallon, trading $1.9450 to $2.0940.
* The December heating oil crack spread <0#CL-HO=R> was at $22.39 a barrel, and the RBOB crack spread <0#RB-CL=R> was at minus $4.72.
* The spread between the current front month and the five-year forward December crude contract CLc61 showed an indicated plus $23.54, based on the asked price of $84 for December 2013 crude. The spread ended at $24.95 on Friday, up slightly from $24.68 on Thursday.
TECHNICALS
NYMEX crude 10-day/20-day moving average: $65.01/$67.61
Technical support/resistance:
NYMEX crude: $58.00/$65.50
NYMEX heating oil: $1.88/$2.05
NYMEX RBOB: $1.30/$1.46
For a report on market technicals click [ID:nLA545972]
MARKET NEWS
* U.S. stocks dipped on Monday as investors expressed doubts about whether China's deep-pocketed stimulus plan would avert a global economic slump and shares of General Motors GM.N fell to 62-year lows on worries about the carmaker's dwindling cash. [.N]
* The U.S. dollar fell against the euro on Monday as news of a large economic stimulus package from China made traders more willing to take on risk. [USD/]
* Saudi Arabia told Asian refiners that it would cut December supplies 5 percent, term lifters said. [ID:nSP414579]
* Iran's oil minister said OPEC might meet before its scheduled December meeting, adding that non-OPEC producers "must" help manage the market. [ID:nDAH045270]
* Ecuador's oil minister said OPEC should hold a special meeting this month. [ID:nN10452531]
* Tuesday's federal workers holiday will delay U.S. oil inventory data until Thursday at 11 a.m. (1600 GMT) and natural gas data until Friday at 10:35 a.m. (1535 GMT). [ID:nN06323263] (Reporting by Gene Ramos and Robert Gibbons; Editing by Christian Wiessner)
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