GLOBAL MARKETS-Markets consolidate as EU tests Greek commitment
TOKYO, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Markets consolidated on Wednesday as investors waited on Greece to demonstrate its commitment to deliver harsh reforms in exchange for a vital rescue deal, while European officials scaled back expectations Athens will live up to its promises.
"Risk sentiment is trading sideways, trapped between ECB support and solvency concerns," Barclays Capital said in a note.
COMMODITIES-Supply worry boosts Brent, demand worry hits copper
NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Commodity markets ended mixed on Tuesday, with copper falling a third straight day on worries about weak U.S. and Chinese demand and Brent crude oil closing up on supply threats in a tense Middle East, while agricultural markets moved with their own unique fundamentals.
"It all falls back to credit ... people are not spending," said Zachary Oxman, managing director with TrendMax in Encinitas, California.
Brent edges up at expiry, eyeing Iran, Europe
NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Brent March crude edged up at the contract expiration on Tuesday, while nearby Brent and U.S. crude prices dipped, as investors weighed potential supply threats in a tense Middle East and persistent concerns about the euro zone economy.
"Book squaring on the March Brent contract ahead of today's expiration was (a) feature of the trade," Tim Evans, energy analyst for Citi Futures Perspective, said in a note.
US natgas futures end up 4 pct on technical buying
NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas futures ended sharply higher on Tuesday, backed by technical buying after an early move into oversold territory, even though weather forecasts remain mild and supplies are at record levels.
"Discussions of increased fuel switching and nuclear outages abound ... Today's play seems mostly technical given the outlook for relative inventory gains to be reported this week." Gelber & Associates analyst Pax Saunders said in a report.
Euro Coal-Prices stable despite many cargo offers
LONDON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Heavy selling of prompt DES ARA cargoes continued on Tuesday by utilities and traders but there were more buyers in evidence than at the start of the week and prices were barely changed.
"This market is looking shaky, Europe especially," one major producer said.
Global ship fuel rules may bring diesel surprise
--Robert Campbell is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own--
NEW YORK, Feb 14 - A global shift to lower sulfur ship fuels from Jan. 1 appears to be giving an extra boost to demand for diesel fuel and the situation could worsen from August once tighter restrictions in North American waters take effect.
From Jan. 1 the International Maritime Organization has mandated a maximum 3.5 percent sulfur content in most marine bunker fuels, down from a previous 4.5 percent maximum.
U.S. crude futures start to look stretched
--John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own--
LONDON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Is the oil market heading for a repeat of last year: a big run up in prices during the first few months followed by a sudden crash when the inflows of investment money dry up and early entrants try to realise their gains?
There are eerie parallels. Like last year, strongly accommodative central bank policy from the Federal Reserve and signs of recovering economic activity in North America and Western Europe are coupling with physical supply disruptions to encourage a more bullish outlook for oil.
US crude stocks seen up fourth straight week
Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil inventories likely rose last week for the fourth straight time on higher imports and as refinery utilization dipped, an expanded Reuters poll of analysts showed on Tuesday.
On average, the poll showed that domestic crude stockpiles added 1.5 million barrels in the week to Feb. 10, with nine out of 11 analysts predicting a build, according to the poll.
US gasoline demand falls as prices rise -MasterCard
NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. gasoline demand fell last week as the retail price of the fuel rose across the nation, MasterCard said in its weekly SpendingPulse report on Tuesday.
Retail gasoline demand for the week fell 5.4 percent from a year ago while sliding 3.1 percent from the previous week, MasterCard said.
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