MA(9): $64.16
MA(20): $65.85
MACD: -0.9175
Signal: -0.5277
Days since crossover: 8
Value: 43.37
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 214,546
Avg (20d): 267,869
Ratio: 0.8
%K: 24.74
%D: 12.73
ADX: 15.67
+DI: 16.74
-DI: 24.65
Value: -75.26
Upper: 69.93
Middle: 65.85
Lower: 61.78
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13327.0 | 13284.0 | 13400.0 | 12700.0 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 6920.0 | 5962.0 | 6224.0 | 6525.0 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3577.0 | 3318.0 | 3638.0 | 4451.67 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 17180.0 | 17124.0 | 16402.0 | 16545.33 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3343.0 | 2644.0 | 2586.0 | 2073.33 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 426698.0 | 423662.0 | 429321.0 | 431764.67 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1670549.0 | 1662801.0 | 1666068.0 | 1650569.67 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 226290.0 | 227082.0 | 225097.0 | 218011.67 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 113685.0 | 112971.0 | 127796.0 | 118040.67 |
Brent crude (OCT 25) settled at $65.63, change $-0.49. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $62.65, change $-0.52. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $2.98 (Brent premium of $2.98). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC's sentiment appears cautious, reflecting concerns about market stability amid fluctuating oil prices 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 from 5-year average | 173 mb below | As of March |
| Compliance Levels with Production Agreements | N/A | Not Mentioned |
OPEC remains focused on maintaining market stability and balancing supply and demand dynamics, while closely monitoring global economic trends and production levels from both OPEC and non-OPEC countries. The organization is prepared to adjust its strategies as necessary to support oil prices and ensure a stable market environment.
"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 the market's balance."
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-14 | $62.67 | $60.52 | $64.81 |
| 2025-08-15 | $62.68 | $60.53 | $64.82 |
| 2025-08-16 | $62.7 | $60.56 | $64.85 |
| 2025-08-17 | $62.76 | $60.61 | $64.9 |
| 2025-08-18 | $62.78 | $60.64 | $64.93 |
The bearish sentiment in the market is reflected in the recent price movements, with the OPEC Reference Basket declining to an average of $68.98/b and ICE Brent settling at $66.46/b. The support level for Brent is around $65.63, while resistance may be encountered near $70. The narrowing of the Brent-WTI spread to $2.98 indicates a convergence of supply/demand dynamics, suggesting potential short-term volatility. Traders should monitor the sentiment score of -0.600 and the managed money net position's decline as indicators of market momentum.
Producers should consider the implications of the inventory levels, with OECD commercial crude stocks at 1,323 mb, significantly below the 2015–2019 average. The bearish sentiment from the news and CFTC positioning suggests a need for cautious production planning. Hedging strategies may need to be adjusted in light of the weakening managed money positioning, which could impact future pricing. The forecast for 42.6 mb/d demand for DoC crude in 2025 indicates a slight upward revision, providing some optimism for production levels.
Consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations as WTI and Brent prices remain under pressure, with current levels at $62.65 and $65.63, respectively. Geopolitical tensions and declining inventories may pose supply reliability risks. The bearish sentiment in the market suggests that procurement strategies should be revisited, particularly for refined products, as demand dynamics shift.
The Crude Oil market is currently influenced by a combination of bearish sentiments, as indicated by the news sentiment score of -0.600, and fundamental factors showing a slight upward revision in demand forecasts for DoC crude. The narrowing Brent-WTI spread suggests that geopolitical factors and supply dynamics are becoming increasingly influential. Analysts should focus on the potential shifts in market outlook as managed money positioning weakens, indicating a possible reversal in trends.