MA(9): $67.13
MA(20): $66.93
MACD: -0.102
Signal: 0.1483
Days since crossover: 2
Value: 43.33
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 12,461
Avg (20d): 238,651
Ratio: 0.05
%K: 12.16
%D: 15.72
ADX: 13.07
+DI: 21.04
-DI: 24.91
Value: -87.84
Upper: 69.7
Middle: 66.93
Lower: 64.16
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13284.0 | 13314.0 | 13300.0 | 12733.33 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 5962.0 | 6136.0 | 6953.0 | 6359.0 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3318.0 | 2698.0 | 4919.0 | 2702.67 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 17124.0 | 16911.0 | 16150.0 | 16520.67 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2644.0 | 3438.0 | 2034.0 | 3656.33 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 423662.0 | 426691.0 | 433049.0 | 435651.0 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1662801.0 | 1660512.0 | 1664122.0 | 1657825.33 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 227082.0 | 228405.0 | 223757.0 | 220611.0 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 112971.0 | 113536.0 | 126847.0 | 118244.33 |
Brent crude (OCT 25) settled at $67.64, change $-1.12. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $65.16, change $-1.13. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $2.48 (Brent premium of $2.48). 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 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 | Not Mentioned | N/A |
OPEC remains focused on maintaining market stability and is prepared to adjust production levels as necessary to respond to changing market dynamics, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among member countries to achieve 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."
"Demand for DoC crude is revised upward, indicating a positive adjustment in market expectations for 2025 and 2026."
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-07 | $64.45 | $62.18 | $66.72 |
| 2025-08-08 | $64.61 | $62.34 | $66.88 |
| 2025-08-09 | $64.71 | $62.44 | $66.99 |
| 2025-08-10 | $64.8 | $62.52 | $67.07 |
| 2025-08-11 | $64.84 | $62.57 | $67.11 |
The recent decline in crude oil prices, with $68.98 for the OPEC Reference Basket and $66.46 for ICE Brent, indicates a bearish sentiment in the market. The resistance levels appear to be around $70.00, while support levels are forming near $65.00. The narrowing of the Brent-WTI spread to $2.48 suggests a tightening market dynamic that may present short-term trading opportunities. Traders should be cautious of potential volatility due to geopolitical tensions and fluctuating demand forecasts.
With crude oil production from OPEC countries decreasing by 106 tb/d in April, producers should reassess their production planning and consider hedging strategies to mitigate risks from fluctuating prices. The current inventory levels, with OECD commercial crude at 1,323 mb, indicate a supply-demand imbalance that could affect market stability. The bearish sentiment reflected in news sentiment analysis should prompt producers to closely monitor market conditions and adjust their operations accordingly.
Consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations as the market remains bearish. The $66.46 Brent price and $62.96 WTI price indicate that procurement costs may remain volatile. Additionally, geopolitical risks and the current inventory levels, which are below the 2015-2019 average, could impact supply reliability. Companies should consider hedging strategies to mitigate risks associated with price increases and supply disruptions.
The Crude Oil market is currently characterized by a bearish sentiment, driven by declining prices and weakening demand forecasts. Key driving factors include a reduction in OPEC production, stable but lower global demand growth, and geopolitical uncertainties. The balance of supply and demand remains precarious, with potential shifts in sentiment as economic indicators evolve. Analysts should focus on monitoring CFTC positioning, particularly the managed money net position, which indicates a weakening bullish sentiment that could signal future market adjustments.