Performance Enhancers

摘要

NEW YORK - US benchmark West Texas Intermediate(WIT)has recuperated so fast from its recent bout of sluggishness-hitting a new record close of 78.21/bbl last week while racing ahead of rival marker Brent in Europe - that many wondered whether it had received a performance enhancing boost.Two months ago,WTI was trading at a 6 discount to Brent,but last week it leaped to a 1.20 premium.In the process,WTI,like Brent,flipped from contango into backwardation,with prompt prices now at a premium over later supplies,indicating a tight market.