Oil Prices Rise on China's Monetary Policy Shift and Middle East Unrest

A looser monetary policy in China and geopolitical tensions in Syria are driving oil market fluctuations, while U.S. stockpiles show mixed trends.

China's announcement of a looser monetary policy for 2025, the first such shift in 14 years, has raised hopes for increased oil demand in the world's largest crude importer.
Chinese crude imports rose by over 14% year-over-year in November, marking the first annual growth in seven months, though analysts suggest stockpiling rather than demand growth may be the primary driver.
The collapse of the Assad regime in Syria has heightened concerns about regional instability, though Syria itself is not a major oil producer; potential spillover effects in the Middle East could impact global oil markets.
U.S. crude oil and fuel inventories increased last week, with crude stocks rising by 499,000 barrels and gasoline inventories growing by 2.85 million barrels, according to industry data.
Oil prices have fluctuated this week, with Brent crude currently trading at approximately $72 per barrel, influenced by both geopolitical risks and China's economic policy adjustments.