MA(9): $64.13
MA(20): $65.84
MACD: -0.9358
Signal: -0.5314
Days since crossover: 8
Value: 42.33
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 6,588
Avg (20d): 257,196
Ratio: 0.03
%K: 22.05
%D: 11.84
ADX: 15.62
+DI: 16.97
-DI: 24.66
Value: -77.95
Upper: 69.94
Middle: 65.84
Lower: 61.75
| 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 expresses a cautious optimism regarding market stability, reflecting adjustments in forecasts while acknowledging ongoing challenges in global oil supply and demand 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 from 5-year average | 173 mb below | As of March |
| Crude Oil Production by DoC Countries (April) | 40.92 mb/d | Decreased by 106 tb/d m-o-m |
OPEC remains committed to ensuring market stability through careful monitoring of supply and demand dynamics, while also adapting its strategies in response to evolving economic conditions and market signals. The organization emphasizes the importance of cooperation among member countries to navigate potential challenges ahead.
"The demand for DoC crude is showing signs of resilience, indicating a positive outlook for OPEC's role in the market."
"We must remain vigilant and responsive to changes in both the global economy and oil market fundamentals."
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-15 | $63.98 | $61.78 | $66.19 |
| 2025-08-16 | $64.01 | $61.81 | $66.22 |
| 2025-08-17 | $64.04 | $61.83 | $66.24 |
| 2025-08-18 | $64.04 | $61.83 | $66.24 |
| 2025-08-19 | $63.97 | $61.76 | $66.17 |
The recent bearish sentiment in the market, reflected by a sentiment score of -0.600, suggests caution for traders. The decline in the OPEC Reference Basket by $5.02 and the narrowing Brent-WTI spread to $2.98 indicates potential volatility ahead.
Traders should watch for support levels around $62.00 for WTI and $65.00 for Brent, with resistance levels at $66.50 for Brent and $63.50 for WTI. The short-term opportunities may arise from the strengthening backwardation in the futures curve, reflecting optimism despite current price declines.
The current bearish market sentiment, alongside a $68.98/b average for the OPEC Reference Basket, suggests that producers should reassess hedging strategies to mitigate potential price declines. Inventory levels are crucial; with OECD commercial crude stocks at 1,323 mb, which is below the 2015–2019 average, producers may need to adjust production planning to avoid oversupply.
A focus on the impact of geopolitical factors and fluctuating demand from key markets like the US and China will be essential in strategizing production and sales.
With crude oil prices declining and sentiment remaining bearish, consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations. The current WTI price of $62.65 and Brent at $65.63 indicate that procurement strategies may need to be adjusted to capitalize on lower prices while ensuring supply reliability amidst geopolitical uncertainties.
The consideration for hedging against future price increases is advisable, especially given the volatility in global demand and the recent declines in OECD product stocks.
The Crude Oil market currently exhibits a bearish outlook driven by a combination of technical, fundamental, and sentiment factors. The decline in prices and the narrowing Brent-WTI spread suggest a tightening market, but ongoing concerns about inventory levels and demand growth (projected at 1.3 mb/d for both 2025 and 2026) indicate potential shifts in the balance of supply and demand.
Analysts should monitor the implications of the upward revisions in demand for DoC crude, as well as the recent bearish news sentiment, to gauge future price movements and market dynamics.