Today, oil prices edged down due to the news that can jeopardize implementation of the OPEC agreement with non-OPEC crude producers. Libya has reached a maximum level of oil production since 2014 and has no plans to stop there. These data put downward pressure on oil prices. Thus, Brent crude fell to $54.94 a barrel and WTI Crude Oil sank to $52.31 a barrel. In addition, oil prices are also influenced by the Friday release of the Baker Hughes North American rig count data that indicated an increase in the number of active operating oil and gas rigs. Market participants await the American Petroleum Institute's weekly report, which is likely to show a large build in the US oil inventories. The Energy Information Administration is out with the government's numbers tomorrow. But not oil prices are under pressure.
Today, the Russian ruble edged down against the US dollar. The USD/RUB pair is trading at 60.06. The ruble showed weakness amid the announcement of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation's plan to devalue the national currency. However, the main reason for the ruble's fall is a phone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, which disappointed investors. Market participants expected the US to abolish anti Russian sanctions, but the issue was not discussed during the talks. Analysts forecast that the USD/RUB will close today session at 60.00.