Brent may cross the $70 a barrel mark: Care Ratings

Mumbai, Jan 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) International benchmark Brent crude may surpass the $70 a barrel mark owing to a major escalation in tension between the two biggest oil producing nations, the US and Iran following a US airstrike killing one of Iran's most powerful military commanders, General Qasem Soleimani.

Brent crude prices closed 3.55 per cent higher at $68.60 a barrel (bbl) on Friday after surging as much as $69.50 a barrel.

Oil prices, Care Ratings, said was already on the rise due to the easing of tensions between the US and China and output cuts undertaken by OPEC .

"Now coupled with the US airstrike, price of Brent has the potential to increase and cross the USD 70/bbl mark in the coming few days, depending on the retaliation planned by the Iran government and the longevity of the feud continued by both the countries," Care Ratings said in a note.

Rising international oil prices gains significance as India imports over 80 per cent of its total oil requirements. In the current financial year India imported 4.5 mb/d (April-November) of crude oil and its import dependency based on consumption has increased to 84.5 per cent in comparison with 83.3 per cent a year ago in the corresponding period.

"Prices of petrol and diesel always react a little late to the rise in crude oil prices as State-run retailers fix fuel prices daily based on a complex algorithm of 15-day average international benchmark rates. Given the trend in oil prices, it is likely that fuel prices will increase in the next few days as well," Care Ratings said.

With the upcoming Union Budget which will be announced in a month's time, rise in oil prices can also pose a challenge for the government on the fiscal side and the assumption made for the year. In the face of higher inflation, the options would be to either increase subsidy on the expenditure side or lower taxes (along with states) on the revenue side, Care Ratings added.

Source: IANS