March 2017

In view of realized and expected labor market conditions and inflation, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 3/4 to 1 percent. The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting some further strengthening in labor market conditions and a sustained return to 2 percent inflation.

The concentration of imbalances among a few large countries presents a risk to the global economy. It increases vulnerabilities—and even raises the risk of market disruptions.

In terms of regulation and policy for the upstream oil and gas industry, much of the EU legislation and directives were either based on established UK customs and practices or are already enshrined in UK law. Although it will take some considerable time to untangle the complex regulatory and policy frameworks, the impact for the oil and gas industry is likely to be modest. In terms of the UK oil and gas tax system, little is expected to change as a result of Brexit as the EU has no remit over the UK’s fiscal regime for the industry.

TESCO reported a U.S. GAAP net loss of $20.1 million, or $(0.43) per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016. Adjusted net loss for the quarter was $13.3 million, or $(0.28) per share, excluding special items, consisting primarily of several charges related to receivables and restructuring costs. This compares to a U.S. GAAP net loss of $22.1 million, or $(0.48) per diluted share in the third quarter of 2016, and a U.S. GAAP net loss of $78.1 million, or $(2.00) per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2015. Adjusted net loss in the third quarter of 2016 was $17.3 million, or $(0.37) per diluted share, and in the fourth quarter of 2015 was $13.4 million, or $(0.33) per diluted share.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) CLc1 was down 7 cents at $48.33 a barrel, as of 0716 GMT. The contract ended down 9 cents in the previous session after touching its lowest since the end of November at $47.90. Brent crude futures LCOc1 gained 3 cents to $51.32 a barrel, having settled down 2 cents on Monday after dipping as low as $50.85.

April's U.S. oil production will up 109 tbd, gas production will up 562 mcfd.

"It became evident that U.S. shale oil output has become and will remain a new global oil price regulator for the foreseeable future," Rosneft said.

Compliance of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) with an oil output cut exceeded a target, standing at 140% in February.

Pakistan's economy expanded 4.2% in 2016, foreign investment has continued to grow -- attracted by the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project -- and improvements in the country's security front, following the government's efforts to combat terrorism, have also led to economic gains and additional investment.

Trade between the countries fell overall last year as oil prices dropped. Japan's 2.1 trillion yen ($18.6 billion) in imports from Saudi Arabia in 2016, mostly oil and gas, dwarfed its exports of 546.3 billion yen ($4.8 billion).