The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday, July 19, edition that oil rose amid risk-on sentiment in broader markets and signs that Russia is making good on its pledge to curb supplies. A Bloomberg dispatch to the Post reports that Russia's seaborne crude flows sank to a six-month low in the latest four-week period. Meanwhile, stocks advanced as a weaker-than-expected U.S. retail report prompted speculation that the federal reserve will slow, or stop, future rate hikes after its July meeting. West Texas Intermediate traded above $75 after dropping in the previous two sessions on the return of a major Libyan oilfield and concerns about China's economy. As Russian oil is becoming more expensive, buyers such as India are considering boosting purchases from traditional sources in the Middle East instead. Adding to supply shortages, Moscow aims to reduce its third-quarter crude export plans by 2.1 million tons, in line with its previously stated pledge to cut overseas shipments by 500,000 barrels a day. Earlier pledges by Russia and Saudi Arabia to cut back production helped spark the rally in crude that started in late June. Crude prices are still down for the year, partly on doubts over China's economic recovery.