MA(9): $66.03
MA(20): $66.39
MACD: -0.621
Signal: -0.1843
Days since crossover: 5
Value: 41.42
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 5,168
Avg (20d): 249,709
Ratio: 0.02
%K: 17.96
%D: 11.93
ADX: 14.13
+DI: 17.18
-DI: 25.33
Value: -82.04
Upper: 69.84
Middle: 66.39
Lower: 62.95
| 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 $66.59, change $+0.16. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $63.88, change $0.0. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $2.71 (Brent premium of $2.71). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC's sentiment appears cautious yet optimistic, reflecting a steady growth in global oil demand amidst fluctuating crude prices and 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 with Production Agreements | N/A | Not Mentioned |
OPEC maintains a focus on market stability, acknowledging the challenges posed by fluctuating prices and global economic uncertainties. The organization emphasizes the importance of cooperation among member countries to manage supply effectively and support a balanced market.
"The global economy continues to demonstrate a steady growth trend despite recent tariff-related developments."
"Demand for DoC crude is revised upward, reflecting a positive outlook for OPEC's market position."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-08-05
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 2,036,424 contracts (+7,551)
Managed Money Net Position: 81,337 contracts (4.0% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -16,050 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 288,472 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -459,030 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-12 | $64.05 | $61.78 | $66.32 |
| 2025-08-13 | $64.1 | $61.84 | $66.37 |
| 2025-08-14 | $64.13 | $61.86 | $66.39 |
| 2025-08-15 | $64.12 | $61.86 | $66.39 |
| 2025-08-16 | $64.12 | $61.85 | $66.38 |
The recent bearish sentiment in the market, as indicated by a sentiment score of -0.600, suggests caution in trading strategies. With the Brent-WTI spread at $2.71, there may be short-term opportunities for arbitrage, but the narrowing spread indicates a potential convergence in pricing dynamics. Traders should monitor the support levels around $62.96 (WTI) and resistance near $66.46 (Brent) for potential entry or exit points. The risk of volatility remains elevated due to geopolitical tensions and fluctuating inventory levels. Additionally, the managed money positioning indicates a weakening bullish sentiment, which could lead to further price corrections if traders start to liquidate positions.
The current inventory levels, with OECD commercial crude stocks at 1,323 mb, indicate a tightening supply relative to historical averages. Producers should consider adjusting their production planning in response to the projected 1.3 mb/d increase in global oil demand for 2025. Hedging strategies might need to be revisited given the market sentiment and the potential for price declines. Close monitoring of geopolitical developments is essential, as these could impact both supply reliability and pricing in the near term.
With crude prices currently at Brent: $66.59 and WTI: $63.88, consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations. The geopolitical risks and current inventory levels may affect supply reliability, particularly with the bearish sentiment prevailing in the market. Companies should evaluate their procurement strategies and consider hedging against price increases, especially given the downward pressure on refining margins in some regions.
The Crude Oil market is currently characterized by a bearish sentiment driven by geopolitical concerns and a slight increase in inventories. The fundamental balance indicates a modest growth in demand against a backdrop of stable supply, although revisions show a slight decline in non-DoC supply growth. Analysts should closely monitor the CFTC positioning data, which reflects a weakening bullish sentiment among managed money traders. The outlook remains cautious, with potential shifts dependent on macroeconomic indicators and geopolitical developments.