Oil prices rose on Thursday for a third straight day, underpinned by a weaker dollar on optimism about global growth, even as governments from Australia to Europe step up curbs to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 35 cents, or 0.5%, to $73.11 a barrel at 0244 GMT after jumping 2.3% in the previous session. Brent crude futures climbed 40 cents, or 0.5%, to $75.69 a barrel, extending a 1.8% gain in the previous session.
The big gains on Wednesday were partly spurred by a larger-than-expected drawdown in U.S. crude stockpiles last week. A weaker U.S. dollar buoys oil markets as it makes commodities cheaper for those holding other currencies.
The dollar fell to near a one-week low after data on Wednesday showed U.S. consumer confidence improving more than expected in December. Oil’s climb has come even as governments reimposed a range of restrictions to slow the spread of Omicron.
The Chinese city of Xian on Wednesday ordered its 13 million residents to stay home, while Scotland imposed gathering limits from Dec. 26 for up to three weeks, and two Australian states reimposed mask mandates as cases surged.
