Brent prices surge amid geopolitical tensions

• Brent crude trades above $74 a barrel
   
• Heightened risk premium amid geopolitical escalation
   
• OPEC+ meeting on December 1 to reassess production
   
• Sluggish demand from China complicates outlook
   
• Technical indicators show mixed short and long-term trends

Global oil prices rose to a two-month high on Friday, with Brent crude trading above $74 a barrel, as escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine fueled market concerns.

The recent uptick in hostilities, marked by Ukraine's Western-supplied missile strike on Russian territory and Russia's retaliatory launch of an ballistic missile, has added a heightened risk premium to the market.

Investors are also keeping a close eye on the upcoming OPEC+ meeting on December 1st, where the producer group is expected to reassess its production plans.

Initially, OPEC+ had outlined a gradual increase in production for 2024 and 2025, but sluggish global demand has prompted a reassessment.

China, a major oil importer, continues to struggle with sluggish economic growth and subdued demand, further complicating the outlook for the oil market.
 

As a result, there is growing speculation that production increases may be delayed once again.

From a technical perspective…

Brent is trading above its 21- and 50-period SMA, suggesting potential bullish momentum in the short to medium term.

However, the 100-period SMA is still well above the current BRN price level, suggesting a bearish trend in the longer term.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is range trading, reflecting the market's current state of uncertainty amid geopolitical escalation.

On the downside, the 21-period SMA may provide immediate support, followed by the $71.56 key level, while on the upside, the $74.86 level may be the next key target for the oil bulls.