(Reuters) - U.S. oil and gas executives' outlook turned negative for the first time since the low point of the last oil bust, according to results of a survey released on Thursday by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
A survey of executive sentiment fell to -10 from 47 in the prior quarter, the first negative reading since early 2016, when U.S. crude prices plummeted to $26 per barrel.
More than half of executives said they expect lower capital spending in 2019.
Still, executives are predicting the U.S. crude will end the year trading around $60 per barrel - a 30 percent increase over current prices.
Responses ranged from $50 to $64.99 per barrel, according to the survey conducted Dec. 12-20. Only 9 percent of executives said they were planning for a per barrel price below $50 for the year.
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The U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude was trading around $46.61 on Thursday morning.
(Reporting by Jennifer Hiller; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
