Business
Oil Prices Fall As World Bank Cuts Economic Growth Outlook

L-R: Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc (GSK), Dayanand Thandalam, GSK chairman, Mr Edmund Onuzo, Company Secretary, Uche Uwechia and Finance Director, Jonathan Murray, at the 44th GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc Annual General Meeting in Lagos, yesterday.
Crude oil futures fell yesterday as the World Bank cut its global economic growth forecast, ending a two-day rally triggered by a sharp United States inventory draw down.
In its twice-yearly Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank predicted the global economy would expand 2.8 per cent this year, below its 3 per cent outlook in January.
The World Bank predicted that India would record the biggest growth of major economies for the first time, ahead of slowing China.
Front-month Brent crude oil prices were down 11 cents to close at $65.59 a barrel while the US crude shed 25 cents to trade at $61.18 a barrel.
“Considering China’s economic slowdown, we lean towards lower prices today (Thursday),” said Daniel Ang, an analyst at Singapore-based Phillip Futures.
In South Korea, the world’s fifth importer of crude oil, the central bank cut its policy rate by 25 basis points to a record-low 1.50 per cent.
The aim was to shield a tottering economy from an outbreak of a deadly respiratory disease.
Despite Asia’s slowing economies, Iraq on Thursday increased its July official selling price for Basra Light crude following strong demand for the grade last month.
Crude prices, however, drew support from a big US stocks drawdown that has boosted the outlook for summer fuel demand.
The US Energy Information Administration reported that crude oil stocks shrank by 6.8 million barrels last week, the largest drop in almost a year.
Prices in North America have been buoyed recently by high gasoline demand for road vehicles as well as low production in Canada as a result of wildfires.
“In Western Canada, crude oil inventories are at their lowest level since October as maintenance shutdowns and wildfires in northern Alberta take their toll on supply,” ANZ bank said.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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