MA(9): $67.24
MA(20): $67.34
MACD: 0.4
Signal: 0.2426
Days since crossover: 4
Value: 50.5
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 247,031
Avg (20d): 243,607
Ratio: 1.01
%K: 45.17
%D: 71.61
ADX: 15.3
+DI: 24.72
-DI: 18.52
Value: -54.83
Upper: 69.9
Middle: 67.34
Lower: 64.78
| 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 $72.55, change $+0.02. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $67.33, change $-1.93. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $5.22 (Brent premium of $5.22). 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 indicators.
| 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 |
| OECD Commercial Oil Inventories | 2,740 mb | 10.3 mb higher, m-o-m |
OPEC remains focused on maintaining market stability and is closely monitoring supply and demand dynamics. The organization is prepared to adjust production levels as necessary to support prices and ensure a balanced market, while also responding to economic uncertainties and shifts in global demand.
"The market outlook reflects a cautious optimism, with adjustments being made to align with actual demand data." - OPEC Report
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-02 | $67.17 | $64.49 | $69.84 |
| 2025-08-03 | $67.04 | $64.36 | $69.72 |
| 2025-08-04 | $67.06 | $64.38 | $69.74 |
| 2025-08-05 | $67.14 | $64.47 | $69.82 |
| 2025-08-06 | $67.25 | $64.57 | $69.93 |
The recent decline in $5.02 (6.8%) for the OPEC Reference Basket indicates potential bearish sentiment in the market. The narrowing of the $3.50 Brent-WTI spread suggests a convergence in price dynamics, reflecting a tighter market. Traders should watch for support around $62.96 (WTI) and $66.46 (Brent) as potential rebound levels, while resistance could be seen near the recent highs. The risk of volatility remains high due to geopolitical tensions and economic forecasts suggesting a slowdown in demand growth.
The current inventory levels show a slight increase in OECD commercial crude stocks, which are 173 mb below the 2015–2019 average. Producers should consider adjusting production planning and hedging strategies in response to the bearish sentiment in the market and declining refinery margins, particularly in Europe and Asia. The strategy of maintaining flexibility in production rates may mitigate risks associated with fluctuating demand forecasts.
Consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations as WTI and Brent prices remain volatile. The risk of supply disruptions is heightened due to geopolitical tensions and declining inventories. The recent uptick in crude imports into China and India could impact procurement strategies, especially if demand continues to outpace supply. Monitoring the support levels around $62.96 (WTI) and $66.46 (Brent) will be crucial for budgeting and cost management.
The Crude Oil market is currently influenced by bearish sentiment driven by demand fears and geopolitical uncertainties. Key factors include the balance of supply and demand showing slight increases in non-DoC liquids supply, while global demand growth remains steady. The positioning data indicates a weakening bullish sentiment from managed money, suggesting potential shifts in market dynamics. Analysts should be vigilant about the implications of fluctuating refinery margins and the impact of geopolitical developments on pricing trends.