Task 9 Effect of Macro Economic Factors On The Economy: 1.relation Between Crude Price and Other Indicators
Task 9 Effect of Macro Economic Factors On The Economy: 1.relation Between Crude Price and Other Indicators
Task 9 Effect of Macro Economic Factors On The Economy: 1.relation Between Crude Price and Other Indicators
One of the most popular indicators used by oil traders is the crude inventories (stock
levels), which is the amount of oil currently stored for future use. This number, and any
changes it undergoes, gives traders an idea of the trends in production and consumption
of oil over a specific period of time.
If the economy is growing quickly, it will likely consume more oil than it would were
it in a recession, as energy is an important input for economic growth.
Oil price increases are generally thought to increase inflation and reduce economic
growth. In terms of inflation, oil prices directly affect the prices of goods made with
petroleum products.
Oil prices indirectly affect costs such as transportation, manufacturing, and heating. The
increase in these costs can in turn affect the prices of a variety of goods and services, as
producers may pass production costs on to consumers.
Oil price increases can also stifle the growth of the economy through their effect on the
supply and demand for goods other than oil. Increases in oil prices can depress the
supply of other goods because they increase the costs of producing them. In economics
terminology, high oil prices can shift up the supply curve for the goods and services for
which oil is an input.
The price of the oil is fixed by the government and it is at a subsidized rate. And then the
government compensates the companies for selling the oil at lower prices. These losses
are also called under-recoveries. Therefore, the losses incurred because of compensating
the companies losses, adds to the Fiscal deficit of India. But with the reduced oil prices,
the compensation to be paid to these companies also reduces and which in turn helps in
narrowing the fiscal deficit.
India imports nearly 84% of its domestic demand and it is one of the largest importers of
oil in the world. Indian Oil imports account for nearly 27% of its total imports.
Therefore, a fall in the prices of oil will reduce the cost of importing oil from other
countries. And this in turn has a direct impact on the current account deficit (the amount
that India owes in foreign currency).
Therefore, in the current crisis time (COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown),
reduced crude oil prices have been a blessing in disguise to the Indian economy. In
general, a 5 % increase in oil prices will impact the trade deficit by nearly $4 billion.
Rupee, being a free currency (value of rupee depends on the demand in the currency
market), its value depends on the current account deficit. Therefore, if the oil prices are
high, then the country will have to sell rupees and buy dollars to pay for oil bills.
Similarly, if the price of the oil is low, then the current account deficit is low and the
amount of dollars required to pay for oil bills are also low.
India, being a vast country, the goods need to be transported from one place to another.
And oil is a very important catalyst in the movement of vehicles from one place to
another. A rise in oil prices leads to a direct increase in the price of goods and services.
And it has a direct bearing on the prices of petrol and diesel. And hence it contributes to
the rise in inflation in the country.