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Oil settles above 80 dollars

Enthusiastic. Investors in the oil markets have felt since the beginning of the week. On Monday, oil prices have soared in New York, a barrel of light sweet crude for September delivery finished with 81.34 dollars, up 3% from the previous day. He even touched 81.77 dollars in meeting the highest since May 5 last. On Tuesday, the same atmosphere: about 18 hours on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel was trading at 82.35 dollars. In London, Brent North Sea crude for September delivery climbed to 81.52 dollars.

Several elements allow the barrel to cross the threshold to higher psychological $ 80. The first of these is the weakening greenback makes dollar-denominated prices more attractive. On Monday, the euro rose to $ 1.32 during the session and on Tuesday, he stays the course: 0.42% to 1.3228 dollar to 18 hours.

Second, markets are driven by the wave of optimism that has sustained American and European markets Monday. "The global economic statistics seem quite strong," said Jason Schenker, an analyst at Prestige Economics, referring in particular to the acceleration of growth in manufacturing in the euro area, which was confirmed in July . Similarly, the increase in activity in the manufacturing sector in the United States has continued to slow in July, but less than expected.

Even the announcement of a slowdown in manufacturing activity in China has not dampened the enthusiasm of oil markets. "Investors believe that China will slow its tightening measures or increase the stimulus," said Phil Flynn of PFG Best Research.

Weather disturbances

Finally, the fear of tight supply caused by potential disruptions in production in the Gulf of Mexico to the approach of a tropical disturbance, helps push prices upward. In the middle of hurricane season in the U.S., investors keep a close eye on the weather. According to recent reports, a depression called Colin and born in the Atlantic, is currently heading west.

According to analysts, the price could go higher this week to reach 84-86 dollars a barrel. Indeed, several major statistical be published overseas, including employment figures and unemployment for July on Friday. Before that, the markets will know the status of weekly crude reserves in the United States. Investors who expect a decline of 200,000 barrels during the week ended July 30, will be determined Wednesday.