Geopolitical risk and oil prices

The reaction of oil prices to geopolitical shocks depends on the country of origin. Empirical analysis suggests that instances of rising geopolitical tensions generally put downward pressure on oil prices, reflecting weaker global demand on the back of lower economic activity. However, geopolitical events in some major oil-producing countries may lead to increases in oil prices amid expectations by market participants of disruptions to future oil supply. Oil price pressures arising from these adverse shocks are typically short-lived and disappear after one quarter. However, recent heightened geopolitical uncertainty stresses the need to identify the nature of these shocks to disentangle their effects on oil prices and inflation. JEL Classification: Q02, F01, F51