After a period of relative stability, crude oil prices fell sharply starting
in mid-2014. The implications of this decline for the global economy
depend on the factors driving it. Fundamentals reflecting current
supply and demand can play a significant role in oil price movements,
but expectations about future fundamentals can be just as influential.
We find oil-specific demand shocks largely drove the oil price movements
since mid-2014, reflecting shifts in expectations about future
supply relative to future demand. In particular, the driving factors behind
the decline appear to be expectations that the future supply of oil
will remain higher, or at least more stable, and concerns about weakening
future demand due to slowing global growth forecasts.