July 18 Reuters Oil prices rose more than 5 on Monday, boosted by dollar weakness and expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve won39;t raise interest rates by a full percentage point at its next meeting to combat inflation.

Brent crude futures for September settlement gained 5.11, or 5.1, to settle at 106.27 a barrel, after rising 2.1 on Friday.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate WTI crude futures for August delivery settled up 5.01, or 5.1, at 102.60 after rising by 1.9 in the previous session.

On Friday two U.S. Federal Reserve officials indicated the central bank would likely only raise interest rates by 75 basis points at its July 2627 meeting. Previous reports that the Fed was considering a 100 basis point decision sent markets lower late last week.

The U.S. dollar

Todays strong advance resulted largely from a sizable and broadbased weakening in the U.S. dollar that has been providing a key driver behind daily oil price swings during the past several weeks, said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates LLC in Galena, Illinois.

Both Brent and WTI last week registered their biggest weekly declines in about a month.

Oil supplies remain tight. As expected, U.S. President Joe Biden39;s trip to Saudi Arabia did not yield any pledge from the top OPEC producer to boost oil supply. 

Biden wants Gulf oil producers to step up output to help to lower oil prices.

Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom declared force majeure on gas supplies to Europe to at…