MA(9): $61.56
MA(20): $61.02
MACD: -0.3524
Signal: -0.4321
Days since crossover: 15
Value: 45.81
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 299,859
Avg (20d): 265,626
Ratio: 1.13
%K: 23.6
%D: 37.19
ADX: 17.09
+DI: 17.2
-DI: 20.06
Value: -76.4
Upper: 64.42
Middle: 61.02
Lower: 57.62
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production | 13401.0 | 13392.0 | 13100.0 | 12400.0 |
| Crude Imports | 6351.0 | 6089.0 | 6663.0 | 6734.67 |
| Crude Exports | 4301.0 | 3507.0 | 4730.0 | 4376.67 |
| Refinery Inputs | 16328.0 | 16490.0 | 16482.0 | 16427.0 |
| Net Imports | 2050.0 | 2582.0 | 1933.0 | 2358.0 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks | 440363.0 | 443158.0 | 458845.0 | 443026.33 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks | 1623724.0 | 1623569.0 | 1619299.0 | 1637361.33 |
| Gasoline Stocks | 223081.0 | 225522.0 | 226822.0 | 221303.33 |
| Distillate Stocks | 103408.0 | 104132.0 | 116744.0 | 110779.0 |
Brent crude (JUL 25) settled at $63.90, change $-0.25. WTI crude (JUL 25) settled at $60.79, change $-0.15. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.11 (Brent premium of $3.11). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC expresses a cautious optimism regarding the oil market outlook, despite recent price declines and mixed economic growth forecasts.
| Metric | Value/Forecast | Source/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| World Oil Demand Growth (2025) | 1.3 mb/d | Unchanged from last month’s assessment |
| World Oil Demand Growth (2026) | 1.3 mb/d | Unchanged from last month’s assessment |
| Non-OPEC Liquids Supply Growth (2025) | 0.8 mb/d | Revised down by 0.1 mb/d |
| Non-OPEC Liquids Supply Growth (2026) | 0.8 mb/d | Revised down by 0.1 mb/d |
| Call on OPEC Crude (2025) | 42.6 mb/d | Revised upward by 0.1 mb/d |
| Call on OPEC Crude (2026) | 42.9 mb/d | Revised upward by 0.1 mb/d |
| OECD Commercial Stock Deviation | 173 mb below 2015–2019 average | As of March |
| Compliance Levels | N/A | Not Mentioned |
OPEC remains committed to maintaining market stability through careful monitoring of supply and demand dynamics, while also adjusting production levels as necessary to respond to changing market conditions and ensure the sustainability of oil prices.
"The market outlook remains optimistic in the short-term, driven by anticipated demand growth."
"We are closely observing the economic indicators and will adjust our strategies accordingly to support market stability."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-05-27
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 1,943,708 contracts (+70,435)
Managed Money Net Position: 103,947 contracts (5.3% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -7,932 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 270,393 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -439,500 contracts
Market Sentiment (based on Managed Money): Bullish but Weakening
Positioning Analysis (Managed Money): Normal Range
Key Takeaways:
- Managed Money traders are large speculators, often driving price trends in Crude Oil.
- Producer/Merchant positions primarily reflect hedging activity.
- Swap Dealers act as intermediaries.
- Extreme positioning by Managed Money can indicate potential market reversals.
- CFTC data reports positions as of the report date, usually released each Friday.
About Disaggregated CoT Reports:
The Disaggregated CoT report provides a more detailed breakdown of futures market open interest.
It categorizes traders into: Producer/Merchant/Processor/User (Commercials), Swap Dealers, Managed Money (Speculators), and Other Reportables.
| Date | Prediction | Lower Bound | Upper Bound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-31 | $60.81 | $58.53 | $63.09 |
| 2025-06-01 | $60.84 | $58.56 | $63.12 |
| 2025-06-02 | $60.81 | $58.53 | $63.09 |
| 2025-06-03 | $60.86 | $58.58 | $63.15 |
| 2025-06-04 | $60.87 | $58.59 | $63.15 |
The recent decline in crude oil prices, with the $68.98/b average for the OPEC Reference Basket and $66.46/b for ICE Brent, suggests a bearish sentiment in the short term. The $3.11 Brent-WTI spread indicates ongoing differences in supply dynamics, which may present risks for traders focused on arbitrage opportunities.
The market is showing signs of optimism in the short term as the forward curves strengthen into backwardation. Traders should monitor support levels around $60.79 for WTI and $63.90 for Brent, as these could serve as critical points for potential rebounds. However, the risk of volatility remains due to geopolitical tensions and inventory fluctuations.
With the projected global oil demand growth of 1.3 mb/d in both 2025 and 2026, producers should align their production planning with these forecasts. The recent decline in crude inventories, with OECD commercial crude stocks at 1,323 mb, indicates a tightening market, which could support future price increases.
Producers may consider hedging strategies given the bearish sentiment reflected in the market. The balance of supply and demand is shifting, with 42.6 mb/d demand for DoC crude expected in 2025, suggesting potential for price stabilization. Monitoring inventory levels will be crucial for operational adjustments.
Consumers should prepare for potential fluctuations in input costs as crude oil prices remain volatile, currently averaging $62.96/b for WTI. The narrowing Brent-WTI spread of $3.11 signals changing dynamics that could affect procurement strategies.
Supply reliability may be impacted by geopolitical factors and the current state of inventories, which are below the 2015–2019 average. Consumers may want to explore hedging options to mitigate risks associated with price spikes, especially as global demand is projected to rise in the coming years.
The crude oil market is currently characterized by a bearish sentiment, as reflected in the recent price declines across various benchmarks. The balance of supply and demand indicates a slight upward revision in demand forecasts, yet the inventory levels remain concerningly low compared to historical averages.
Analysts should focus on the implications of the risk factors stemming from geopolitical tensions and economic forecasts. The mixed signals from technical indicators and positioning data suggest that while there may be short-term opportunities, the overall outlook remains cautious. The sentiment from news articles indicates a neutral stance, but with underlying concerns about demand and supply uncertainties.