(Reuters) – U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs expects Brent crude prices to reach $80 per barrel this summer, betting that a recent oil market rally will continue as vaccination rollouts boost global economic activity and demand for the commodity.
Brent prices hit $72.93 per barrel this week, their highest level in over two years, fuelled by expectations of stronger demand.
Brent futures were trading at $72.21 a barrel on Friday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was around $70 a barrel.
“Rising vaccination rates are leading to higher mobility in the U.S. and Europe, with global demand estimated up 1.5 mb/d (million barrels per day) in the last month to 96.5 mb/d,” the bank said in a note released late on Thursday.
