MA(9): $67.23
MA(20): $67.34
MACD: 0.3944
Signal: 0.2415
Days since crossover: 4
Value: 50.27
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 331,673
Avg (20d): 247,839
Ratio: 1.34
%K: 43.97
%D: 71.21
ADX: 15.3
+DI: 24.72
-DI: 18.52
Value: -56.03
Upper: 69.9
Middle: 67.34
Lower: 64.77
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13314.0 | 13273.0 | 13300.0 | 12533.33 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 6136.0 | 5976.0 | 6871.0 | 6987.67 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2698.0 | 3855.0 | 4186.0 | 4571.33 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 16911.0 | 16936.0 | 16407.0 | 16173.33 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3438.0 | 2121.0 | 2685.0 | 2416.33 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 426691.0 | 418993.0 | 436485.0 | 433124.33 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1660512.0 | 1653187.0 | 1665878.0 | 1651905.0 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 228405.0 | 231129.0 | 227422.0 | 222710.67 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 113536.0 | 109901.0 | 125313.0 | 117774.67 |
Brent crude (SEP 25) settled at $72.53, change $-0.71. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $69.26, change $-0.74. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.27 (Brent premium of $3.27). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC expresses a cautious outlook on the oil market, acknowledging recent price declines while highlighting optimism in short-term trading dynamics.
| 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 | N/A | Not Mentioned |
| Crude Oil Production Adjustment | Decreased by 106 tb/d | In April, averaging about 40.92 mb/d |
OPEC remains focused on maintaining market stability amid fluctuating prices and evolving demand dynamics. The organization is committed to adjusting production levels as necessary to align with market conditions and ensure a balanced supply-demand scenario.
"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."
"Demand for DoC crude is revised upward, indicating a positive adjustment in market expectations."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-07-29
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 2,028,873 contracts (+15,569)
Managed Money Net Position: 97,387 contracts (4.8% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -850 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 291,111 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -470,703 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-01 | $69.23 | $65.74 | $72.72 |
| 2025-08-02 | $69.08 | $65.59 | $72.57 |
| 2025-08-03 | $68.93 | $65.44 | $72.42 |
| 2025-08-04 | $68.9 | $65.41 | $72.39 |
| 2025-08-05 | $68.95 | $65.46 | $72.44 |
Current market sentiment is bearish, with a sentiment score of -0.600. Price movements show a decline in crude oil values, with Brent at $72.53 and WTI at $69.26. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.27, reflecting ongoing supply/demand dynamics. Traders should be cautious of potential volatility, particularly as managed money positions are showing signs of weakening, with a net position of 97,387 contracts. Look for key support levels around $66.46 (Brent) and $62.96 (WTI) as possible points for short-term opportunities.
With bearish sentiment prevailing in the market and crude production by DoC countries decreasing by 106 tb/d, producers should reassess production planning and hedging strategies. The recent increase in OECD commercial crude inventories by 21.4 mb suggests a need to manage supply carefully. The impact of geopolitical factors could further complicate operations, especially with ongoing concerns about sanctions and trade tariffs affecting global demand.
Consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations as crude prices remain under pressure, with WTI and Brent showing declines. The reliability of supply may be impacted by geopolitical tensions and fluctuating inventory levels, with OECD product stocks down by 11.2 mb. It's advisable to consider procurement strategies that account for these risks, especially in light of the negative sentiment surrounding global energy demand.
The Crude Oil market is currently characterized by a bearish outlook, driven by a combination of weak demand signals and rising inventories. Key factors include a marginal increase in global oil demand and a slight decline in non-DoC liquids supply. The current positioning of managed money traders indicates a weakening bullish sentiment, suggesting potential shifts in market dynamics. Analysts should closely monitor geopolitical developments and their impact on supply chains as well as the evolving economic landscape affecting demand.