MA(9): $66.9
MA(20): $66.78
MACD: 0.0258
Signal: 0.2947
Days since crossover: 21
Value: 44.87
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 7,241
Avg (20d): 190,161
Ratio: 0.04
%K: 2.34
%D: 21.99
ADX: 13.93
+DI: 21.27
-DI: 20.92
Value: -97.66
Upper: 68.86
Middle: 66.78
Lower: 64.7
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13273.0 | 13375.0 | 13300.0 | 12533.33 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 5976.0 | 6379.0 | 7037.0 | 6467.33 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3855.0 | 3518.0 | 3964.0 | 4441.67 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 16936.0 | 16849.0 | 16928.0 | 16304.0 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2121.0 | 2861.0 | 3073.0 | 2025.67 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 418993.0 | 422162.0 | 440226.0 | 438463.67 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1653187.0 | 1658540.0 | 1669754.0 | 1656358.0 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 231129.0 | 232867.0 | 232994.0 | 223384.33 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 109901.0 | 106970.0 | 128066.0 | 118328.67 |
Brent crude (SEP 25) settled at $68.59, change $-0.62. WTI crude (AUG 25) settled at $66.21, change $-0.99. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $2.38 (Brent premium of $2.38). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC's sentiment appears cautious as it navigates through declining crude oil prices and mixed economic growth forecasts, while remaining optimistic about short-term market outlooks.
| 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 from last month’s assessment |
| Non-OPEC Liquids Supply Growth (2026) | 0.8 mb/d | Revised down by 0.1 mb/d from last month’s assessment |
| 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 | N/A | Not Mentioned |
OPEC remains focused on maintaining market stability amidst fluctuating prices and varying demand forecasts. The organization is likely to continue monitoring global economic indicators and adjust its production strategies accordingly to support a balanced oil market.
"The front end of the ICE Brent, NYMEX WTI and GME Oman forward curves strengthened further in April, reflecting traders’ optimism about the market outlook in the short-term."
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-24 | $65.2 | $61.24 | $69.16 |
| 2025-07-25 | $65.23 | $61.28 | $69.19 |
| 2025-07-26 | $65.27 | $61.31 | $69.22 |
| 2025-07-27 | $65.34 | $61.38 | $69.29 |
| 2025-07-28 | $65.39 | $61.43 | $69.34 |
The recent price movements show a decline in crude oil prices, with $68.98 for the OPEC Reference Basket and $66.46 for ICE Brent. The bearish sentiment is reflected in the $2.38 Brent-WTI spread, indicating ongoing supply-demand dynamics that favor Brent. Traders should watch for potential support levels around the recent lows, as the market is currently in a bearish phase, but the backwardation in the forward curves suggests short-term bullish opportunities. Monitor the risks associated with geopolitical tensions and inventory fluctuations that could lead to volatility in the near term.
Producers should consider the implications of the current balance between supply and demand, as global oil demand is projected to rise by 1.3 mb/d in 2025. However, the downward revision of non-DoC liquids supply growth indicates that hedging strategies may be essential to mitigate price risks. The increase in crude stocks by 21.4 mb could pressure prices further, suggesting a need for careful production planning. The bearish sentiment in news sentiment and inventory levels should be factored into operational decisions.
Consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations as WTI and Brent prices face downward pressure. The recent decline in US crude imports and the slight increase in product exports may impact supply reliability. With geopolitical factors and inventory levels influencing market dynamics, procurement strategies should account for possible hedging to stabilize costs. Additionally, the bearish sentiment in demand forecasts indicates that consumers should remain vigilant about potential price increases in the future.
The Crude Oil market is currently facing a bearish sentiment driven by supply concerns and geopolitical tensions. The balance of supply and demand shows a slight upward revision in demand forecasts, but the overall sentiment remains cautious. Key driving factors include the declining prices, the narrowing Brent-WTI spread, and inventory levels that are below historical averages. Analysts should closely monitor the ML forecasts for potential shifts in market dynamics as economic growth forecasts remain mixed across regions.