Oil prices are trading slightly lower as the market assesses the risk of a conflict between the US and Iran.

At 8:30 am (Brasilia time) this Wednesday (15), the August contract for WTI oil registered a slight decrease of 0.18% in New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) , quoted at US$79.46/barrel. The September contract for Brent It fell 0.40% in Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), trading at US$84.55/barrel. On the other hand, in the partial week, the fuel has accumulated gains of 11.1% and 11.2%, respectively. 

In the last trading session (15), WTI advanced 0.33%, to US$ 79.60/barrel, while Brent closed up 0.26%, at US$ 84.95/barrel. 

In this trading session, fuel prices are pressured by a technical profit-taking movement, driven by the robust gains recorded during the week. Limiting further losses, the market continues to react to the recent developments in the conflict between the United States and Iran. Yesterday, the US military bombed the coastal defenses and missile sites of the Persian country. In the Strait of Hormuz, navigation data indicates that seven vessels crossed the route on Wednesday, compared to 13 recorded the previous day.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.