[EN] Crude oil prices have shown an ongoing price slump in January. With an average price of 42,77 EUR/bbl for Brent (40,83 EUR/bbl for WTI) prices have fallen another 16.5% (15.1%). The effect has partly been set off by the weakening Euro against the US-Dollar. The reasons for the decline have been rising supplies and stocks as well as OPEC’s decision to maintain market share against the competition of the Fracking industry in the US. OPEC nations like Saudi Arabia still hold on to this strategy, although they would actually need a minimum price 100 USD/bbl to remain a balanced budget.
In early February crude oil prices rose above 53 EUR (Brent; WTI: 45 EUR) due to speculations of a shrinking oversupply because of a reduction on rig counts. However this could turn out to only be a short term trend, as a number of other influences indicate an ongoing supply excess in the long term.
Moreover natural gas prices in the US fell by 11.6% in January due to high stocks, weak demand and continued gains in production. Natural gas prices in Europe have also declined slightly because of weak demand and large supply.
This article shows you the latest price developments and relevant key figures for energies.
Taking the past 12 months into account, we have observed price decreases for all our energies analysed. In particular crude oil Brent (-52.9%) and WTI (-59.6%) have fallen most intensive. However the markets of natural gas in the US (-40.3%) and EU (-6.8%) report a clear price slump as well.
During the last month, Brent (-2.2%) and WTI (-9.3%) have continued their extraordinary downward trend and also natural gas US (-2.0%) and EU (-0.2%) report a price drop . The highest price movements are still registered by the US market of natural gas with an annualized volatility of 58.4% in January.
In order to provide a market visibility for European companies affected by raw material costs, the following analysis takes into consideration the price evolution in EUR unless specified. Please click on the raw materials below to receive more detailed information.
Energies prices returns | 1 YEAR | daily price data | Energies prices returns | 1 MONTH | daily price data |
February 2014 - January 2015 | January 2015 |
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*Returns based on monthly data over the last 12 months | *Returns based on monthly data over the last month |
1. CRUDE OIL BRENT Read more
Crude oil Brent is traded in US dollars per barrel at the ICE Futures in London. It is extracted from the North Sea and is the most important brand of crude oil for Europe.
With a month closing price of 46.37 EUR/bbl (52.42 USD/bbl), Brent has still continued its price slump, partly compensated by a weakening Euro, with a return of -2.2% this month and -52.9% during the last 12 months. The annualized volatility has increased during January and is currently at 40.2%.
Brent (ICE Futures) | price evolution | 1 YEAR
February 2014 – January 2015 |
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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar
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Brent (ICE Futures) | FX impact
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
Brent (ICE Futures) | key figures
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
Brent vs WTI | price evolution in EUR/bbl | 1 YEAR
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
2. CRUDE OIL WTI Read more
Crude oil WTI is traded in US dollars per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) in New York. WTI is the most important brand of crude oil in the USA.
With a month closing price of 39.98 EUR/bbl (45.20 USD/bbl), West Texas Intermediate (WTI) has decreased noticeably as well, with a return of -9.3% this month and -59.6% during the last 12 months. The annualized volatility has also increased in the last month and is currently at 41.9%.
WTI (NYMEX) | price evolution | 1 YEAR
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar
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WTI (NYMEX) | FX impact
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
WTI (NYMEX) | key figures
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
Brent vs WTI | price evolution in EUR/bbl | 1 YEAR
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
3. NATURAL GAS EU Read more
These figures are based on the average import border price and a spot price component, beginning April 2010 including UK (during June 2000 – March 2010 prices exclude UK). Natural gas EU is traded in Euro per million British thermal units (mmbtu).
With a month closing price of 7.96 EUR/mmbtu (9.25 USD/mmbtu), the natural gas price in Europe reports a small decrease of -0.2% this month. For the last 12 months the price has decreased by -6.8%. The annualized volatility is currently at 18.5%.
Natural gas EU (c.i.f.) | price evolution | 1 YEAR
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
Natural gas EU (c.i.f.) | key figures
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
4. NATURAL GAS US Read more
Natural gas US is traded in US dollars per million British thermal units (mmbtu) at the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) in New York.
With a month closing price of 2.36 EUR/mmbtu (2.66 USD/mmbtu), natural gas US has decreased with a return of -2.0 % this month and strongly by -40.3% during the last 12 months. The annualized volatility has risen during January and is currently at 58.4%.
Natural gas US (NYMEX) | price evolution | 1 YEAR
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
Natural gas US (NYMEX) | FX impact
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
Natural gas US (NYMEX) | key figures
February 2014 – January 2015 |

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Source: TALA Consult Commodity Radar |
Date of publication: 16 February 2015
Sources | Disclaimer | Methodology