Brent Oil Price in 2018

The brent oil price fell 19.2% in 2018, from $66.60 at the end of 2017 to $53.80. Its highest close was $86.29 on Oct 3, and its lowest $50.47 on Dec 24. The biggest one-day fall was −7.4% on Nov 23 and the biggest rise +7.9% on Dec 26. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 20.7%.

Change in 2018

−19.2%

$66.60 → $53.80

High

$86.29

Oct 3

Low

$50.47

Dec 24

After inflation

−20.7%

US CPI

Up days

133 of 251

longest run 6 up, 7 down

Below record

-62.6%

at the end of 2018

Brent Oil Price, daily closes 2018

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 2018

What happened, and how the Brent oil moved — on the day (or the next trading day) and about a month later.

1
Wednesday, January 3 From the data

Back above its pre-bear-market peak of $67.77 (May 6, 2015).
2
Tuesday, May 8

President Trump announces US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA). Source

Brent oil: −1.7% that day · −1.1% a month later
3
Friday, July 6

US tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese goods take effect; China retaliates with matching tariffs. Source

Brent oil: −0.4% that day · −5.4% a month later
4
Wednesday, October 3

Brent crude peaks at $86.29 a barrel before falling about 22% in November. Source

Brent oil: +1.8% that day · −11.0% a month later
5
Tuesday, November 13 From the data

Enters a bear market: 20% below its peak of $86.29 (October 3, 2018).
6
Friday, November 23 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −7.4%.
7
Monday, December 24 From the data

Bear market low: $50.47, 41.5% below the peak.
8
Wednesday, December 26 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +7.9%.

Biggest days of 2018

Best days		Worst days
Dec 26	+7.9%	Nov 23	−7.4%
Dec 3	+5.1%	Jul 11	−6.9%
Apr 10	+3.5%	Nov 13	−6.6%
Jun 22	+3.4%	Nov 20	−6.4%
May 9	+3.2%	Dec 24	−6.2%

Volatility: 30.3% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	$69.05	+3.7%	$70.53	$66.57
Feb	$65.78	−4.7%	$69.08	$62.59
Mar	$70.27	+6.8%	$70.45	$63.61
Apr	$75.17	+7.0%	$75.17	$67.11
May	$77.59	+3.2%	$79.80	$73.36
Jun	$79.44	+2.4%	$79.44	$73.05
Jul	$74.25	−6.5%	$78.86	$71.84
Aug	$77.42	+4.3%	$77.77	$70.76
Sep	$82.72	+6.8%	$82.72	$76.50
Oct	$75.47	−8.8%	$86.29	$75.47
Nov	$58.71	−22.2%	$75.50	$58.71
Dec	$53.80	−8.4%	$62.08	$50.47

Other Markets in 2018

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Brent Oil Price	−19.2%	$53.80
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2018	−5.6%	23,327.46
S&P 500 in 2018	−6.2%	2,506.85
Nasdaq Composite in 2018	−3.9%	6,635.28
Russell 2000 in 2018	−12.2%	1,348.56
Nikkei 225 in 2018	−12.1%	20,014.77
Gold in 2018	−2.1%	$1,278.30
Silver in 2018	−8.8%	$15.43
WTI crude oil in 2018	−24.8%	$45.41
US 10-year Treasury yield in 2018	+0.28 pp	2.69%

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Brent Oil Price in 2018: FAQ

How much did the brent oil price fall in 2018?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the brent oil price in 2018?

Highest: $86.29 on October 3, 2018. Lowest: $50.47 on December 24, 2018. It closed higher on 133 of 251 trading days.

What happened to the brent oil price on October 3, 2018?

Brent crude peaks at $86.29 a barrel before falling about 22% in November. The brent oil price rose 1.8% that day, and was −11.0% a month later.

Data: Europe Brent spot price (EIA) from 1987, ICE Brent futures closes after that. Inflation: US CPI-U. Events marked "From the data" are found automatically from the closing prices; the others are researched, with the source linked. Not investment advice.