A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, thereby adding downward pressure on oil prices. Although there are still supply tightening factors from OPEC and Russia, the appreciation of the dollar and rising inventories have kept oil prices under pressure. On Wednesday, Brent crude oil fell 1.16% to $76.23 per barrel, and U.S. crude dropped 1.25% to $73.32 per barrel. Although oil prices initially rose due to supply tightening by Russia and OPEC members, the strengthening dollar and the increase in U.S. fuel inventories eventually pressured prices. By Thursday (January 9), U.S. crude prices were trading at $73.73 per barrel during the U.S. session, showing narrow fluctuations. Technically, oil prices encountered resistance near a downtrend line, leading to a pullback as indicators entered an overbought zone.