Oiling the wheels

During a week with minimal market-moving data and few central bank announcements, attention in the financial markets has turned towards the oil sector. This shift is primarily due to a significant drop in oil prices, which have reached three-month lows, with Brent crude trading at approximately $80 per barrel. In our charts this week we look at the following factors: Record-low global supply chain pressures The recent retreat in global commodity prices Sticky euro area inflation expectations Negative FDI flows in China The weakness of the UK's trade flows with the EU Weaker credit growth in the US