NEW YORK: Oil prices edged higher on Monday on expectations that Opec+ would keep supplies tight and speculation that the US Federal Reserve will cease its aggressive interest rate hike campaign.

Saudi Arabia has spearheaded efforts to support prices, making large voluntary output cuts as part of a production deal agreed by the Opec+ producer group comprising the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and allies including Russia.

The kingdom is widely expected to extend its voluntary 1 million barrel per day (bpd) cut for a fourth consecutive month into October.

Saudi Arabia’s previous announcements have come ahead of its official selling prices, which typically emerge in the first week of the month.

Brent crude futures for November crept 33 cents higher to $88.88 a barrel by 11:33 a.m. (1533 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) October futures rose 37 cents to $85.92.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2023