MA(9): $63.5
MA(20): $65.41
MACD: -1.0531
Signal: -0.7104
Days since crossover: 10
Value: 39.44
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 3,334
Avg (20d): 272,757
Ratio: 0.01
%K: 10.85
%D: 14.82
ADX: 16.18
+DI: 15.63
-DI: 23.58
Value: -89.15
Upper: 69.73
Middle: 65.41
Lower: 61.08
| 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 $65.85, change $-0.99. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $62.8, change $-1.16. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.05 (Brent premium of $3.05). 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, highlighting steady demand growth amidst fluctuating prices and economic adjustments.
| 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 Stocks (March) | 2,740 mb | 10.3 mb higher m-o-m |
| OECD Commercial Stocks Deviation from 5-year average | 173 mb below | As of March |
| Crude Oil Production (April) | 40.92 mb/d | Decreased by 106 tb/d m-o-m |
OPEC remains committed to ensuring market stability and balancing supply and demand dynamics. The organization acknowledges the challenges posed by fluctuating prices and external economic factors but expresses confidence in the resilience of global oil demand, particularly from non-OECD countries.
"The market outlook remains optimistic in the short-term, reflecting traders’ confidence despite recent price declines."
"We continue to monitor the balance of supply and demand closely, adjusting our forecasts as necessary to maintain stability."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-08-12
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 2,010,959 contracts (-25,465)
Managed Money Net Position: 48,865 contracts (2.4% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -32,472 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 299,912 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -442,202 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-16 | $62.82 | $60.66 | $64.98 |
| 2025-08-17 | $62.85 | $60.68 | $65.01 |
| 2025-08-18 | $62.87 | $60.71 | $65.03 |
| 2025-08-19 | $62.82 | $60.66 | $64.98 |
| 2025-08-20 | $62.88 | $60.72 | $65.05 |
The recent bearish sentiment in the market, with an overall sentiment score of -0.600, suggests caution for traders. Crude oil prices have seen significant declines, with the $68.98 average for the OPEC Reference Basket and $62.96 for NYMEX WTI. The Brent-WTI spread narrowing to $3.05 indicates potential convergence in U.S. and global supply dynamics, which may lead to further volatility. Traders should monitor Fibonacci support levels closely as prices approach recent lows, particularly around $62.00 for WTI and $65.00 for Brent, to assess potential bounce-back opportunities.
With crude oil production by OPEC countries decreasing by 106 tb/d in April, producers should consider adjusting their production planning in response to the bearish market sentiment. The hedging strategies may need to be revisited, especially with inventory levels showing an increase in crude stocks by 21.4 mb m-o-m, which could exert downward pressure on prices. Producers should also be aware of the geopolitical risks affecting supply reliability, particularly in light of the recent news sentiment surrounding U.S.-Russia relations that may impact market dynamics.
Consumers should prepare for potential fluctuations in input costs as crude prices remain volatile. The $62.80 for WTI and $65.85 for Brent indicate current market conditions. The supply reliability risks stemming from geopolitical tensions and rising inventories may affect procurement strategies; thus, maintaining a flexible approach to purchasing is advisable. Additionally, with product exports from the U.S. increasing by 4%, there may be opportunities to leverage competitive pricing in product procurement.
The Crude Oil market currently reflects a complex interplay of bearish sentiment driven by declining prices and rising inventories. Key factors include the tightening supply-demand balance with demand projected to grow by 1.3 mb/d in 2025, while non-DoC supply growth is revised down. Analysts should focus on the implications of the managed money positioning, which shows a weakening bullish trend, indicating potential shifts in market sentiment. The geopolitical landscape remains a critical driver, necessitating close monitoring of news sentiment and its impact on price forecasts.