(Reuters) Oil dropped 2% after two sessions of gains as jitters about the global economic outlook and a stronger dollar outweighed hopes of higher Chinese demand and expectations of a drop in U.S. crude inventories.
Brent crude fell by $1.65, or 2%, to $81.08 a barrel by 1:00 p.m. ET. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $1.51 to $77.23. The day before, both contracts rose by more than 1%.
U.S. consumer confidence dropped to a nine-month low in April, feeding worries about a recession the day after regional lender First Republic (FRC.N) reported a more than $100 billion flight in deposits, stoking fears of a potential banking crisis.
"Oil prices looked as if they were going to mount a rally before old banking worries reemerged," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.
The dollar rose on deepening worries about corporate earnings and the global economy. A stronger dollar pressures oil demand by making the commodity more expensive for buyers holding other currencies.
Gold prices were also flat on Tuesday as the dollar strengthened, while U.S. stocks fell as weak earnings fanned fears of economic slowdown.
Investors remained wary that possible interest rate hikes by inflation-fighting central banks could slow economic growth and dent energy demand in the United States, Britain and the European Union.
The U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank are all expected to raise rates at their coming meetings. The Fed meets over May 2-3.
Also worrying markets were weak refining margins globally that could force refiners to curb oil buying.
"The near-term pressure has been from rising interest rates and refinery run rate margins contracting, which could be a sign demand is slipping," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial
Early in the session, oil prices rose, supported by optimism that holiday travel in China would boost fuel demand and by expectations of a drop in U.S. crude inventories.
Involuntary and planned supply cuts also lent support. Iraq's northern oil exports have shown little sign of an imminent restart after a month-long standstill. Members of the OPEC+ producer group are preparing for the start of voluntary output cuts in May.
Traders were awaiting U.S. stockpiles data from the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday. Analysts expect crude inventories to fall by about 1.7 million barrels.
