Five oil signals to watch as 2018 pits OPEC against US shale

(Dec 28): Oil traders are going to have their work cut out in 2018.

OPEC and its allies are heading into the second year of supply cuts to wipe out the global oil glut, while rising US output is threatening those efforts. Geopolitical tensions also add a wild card to the market mix.

As oil watchers seek to plot a course through the year ahead, they’ll be paying close attention to signals ranging from timespreads to options contracts. Here are five key barometers to watch as 2018 unfolds:

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