MA(9): $67.39
MA(20): $66.72
MACD: 0.2862
Signal: 0.4481
Days since crossover: 18
Value: 51.64
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 188,802
Avg (20d): 253,741
Ratio: 0.74
%K: 53.61
%D: 49.72
ADX: 16.0
+DI: 23.84
-DI: 16.82
Value: -46.39
Upper: 69.24
Middle: 66.72
Lower: 64.21
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13375.0 | 13385.0 | 13300.0 | 12500.0 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 6379.0 | 6013.0 | 6760.0 | 6910.0 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3518.0 | 2757.0 | 3999.0 | 3845.67 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 16849.0 | 17006.0 | 17109.0 | 16610.67 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2861.0 | 3256.0 | 2761.0 | 3064.33 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 422162.0 | 426021.0 | 445096.0 | 441418.33 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1658540.0 | 1649494.0 | 1658697.0 | 1660766.0 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 232867.0 | 229468.0 | 229666.0 | 226605.0 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 106970.0 | 102797.0 | 124612.0 | 119589.33 |
Brent crude (SEP 25) settled at $69.28, change $-0.24. WTI crude (AUG 25) settled at $67.34, change $-0.2. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $1.94 (Brent premium of $1.94). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC expresses a cautious yet optimistic sentiment regarding the oil market, highlighting steady demand growth amidst recent price declines.
| 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 with Production Agreements | Not Mentioned | N/A |
OPEC remains committed to ensuring market stability through careful monitoring of supply and demand dynamics. The organization anticipates a gradual recovery in oil prices as demand continues to grow, particularly in non-OECD regions, while also addressing the challenges posed by fluctuating global economic conditions.
"The market outlook shows signs of optimism, with demand growth expected to remain steady despite recent price fluctuations."
"We are closely observing the balance of supply and demand to ensure stability in the oil market."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-07-15
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 2,069,099 contracts (+77,874)
Managed Money Net Position: 91,769 contracts (4.4% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -53,928 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 303,419 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -491,815 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-19 | $67.42 | $63.32 | $71.52 |
| 2025-07-20 | $67.43 | $63.33 | $71.53 |
| 2025-07-21 | $67.42 | $63.32 | $71.52 |
| 2025-07-22 | $67.37 | $63.27 | $71.46 |
| 2025-07-23 | $67.37 | $63.28 | $71.47 |
With the recent bearish sentiment reflected in the overall market score of -0.400, traders should be cautious of potential price declines. The Brent-WTI spread at $1.94 indicates a slight premium for Brent, suggesting stronger global demand dynamics compared to U.S. supply. The narrowing of this spread could signal risks for WTI prices in the near term.
Given the support levels observed, traders may want to monitor key Fibonacci retracement levels around $62.96 for WTI as potential entry points. The short-term opportunities may arise from volatility in response to geopolitical developments and inventory reports.
Producers should consider the implications of the supply-demand balance as global oil demand is projected to grow by 1.3 mb/d in 2025. However, the revised down forecasts for non-DoC supply growth may provide a bullish outlook for prices in the medium term. The current OECD commercial crude stocks at 1,323 mb are significantly below the 2015-2019 average, indicating potential tightening in the market.
Hedging strategies should be revisited as market sentiment remains bearish, with managed money positions indicating weakness. Producers might benefit from adjusting production plans based on inventory levels and market signals.
Consumers should prepare for potential fluctuations in input costs as WTI and Brent prices remain volatile, with WTI recently settling at $67.34. The supply reliability risks due to geopolitical tensions and fluctuating inventories could impact procurement strategies. The decline in U.S. crude imports by 0.1 mb/d and the increase in product exports suggest a tightening supply environment.
Refineries may need to adjust operational strategies to mitigate rising costs and ensure supply continuity, especially given the bearish sentiment surrounding demand outlooks.
The Crude Oil market presents a complex picture with mixed signals. While the bearish sentiment prevails, indicated by a sentiment score of -0.400, underlying fundamentals show a bullish potential due to constrained supply growth and increasing demand forecasts. The balance between supply and demand indicates a tightening market, particularly with OECD commercial inventories below historical averages.
Analysts should closely monitor geopolitical developments and inventory reports, as these factors could significantly shift the market outlook. The positioning data from the CFTC highlights a potential for reversal, necessitating a cautious approach in forecasts.