COMMODITIES

Opec countries maintaining output, global demand slump, and US shale production puts pressure on the market

Moody's slashes European Brent and West Texas Intermediate outlook for 2015 and 2016.

Oil futures extended losses amid speculation that Opec will not cut output.

Failure to cut output will herald a price war that Gulf producers can withstand but Venezuela and Iran cannot.

The rating agency also changes its outlooks for three oil and gas industry sectors.

Brent crude futures have shed a third since June and hit a four-year low of $76.76 a barrel on 14 November.

China's central bank has cut interest rates in a bid to boost growth in the world's second-biggest oil consumer.

Traders to track GDP data coming in from the eurozone and from India, alongside 30 November's Swiss gold referendum.

Jordan and Israel sign memorandum of understanding over natural gas deal in September

Crude futures gained after the Bank of China announced the decision

Moscow will push Opec members to reduce supply in bid to boost oil prices.

Russia's second-biggest oil company has expanded investment overseas in recent months.

Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez said his country would make a proposal to limit supply and strengthen prices at the next OPEC meeting.

Royal Dutch Shell sells 30% stake in Niger Delta field for $600m.

Iraq's semi-autonomous region agrees deal over oil exports

Controversial pipeline project from Canada to the US narrowly fails to win backing in US Senate.

Uralkali shares fell after a 20 by 30 metre sinkhole was found at its Solikamsk potash mine.

Militants from the Islamic State have fought to capture the Baiji oil refinery since June.

Nafotgaz chief executive says Ukraine wants to reduce reliance on Russian gas.

New United Nations report recommends ban on flights entering and leaving Isis territory.

Russia's rouble up by 0.8% against dollar on Tuesday as exporters traded in foreign revenues.

Move prompted by surging inbound gold shipments that threaten to inflate India's trade deficit.

Oil cartel Opec's member nations to meet on 27 November in Vienna.

Brent prices have dropped for eight successive weeks on fears over a global supply glut.

Measures under discussion will curb imports by private trading firms.

Opec has shown few signs it will reduce oil production ahead of its 27 November meeting.

New report counters government claims that fracking will make UK energy self-sufficient.

Afghanistan's opium cultivation has expanded by 7% in 2014 from the preceding year.

Gulf state's conservative budget means it will escape impact of sliding prices.