MA(9): $63.45
MA(20): $64.55
MACD: -0.7848
Signal: -0.8504
Days since crossover: 2
Value: 44.09
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 8,942
Avg (20d): 245,595
Ratio: 0.04
%K: 42.59
%D: 45.94
ADX: 14.94
+DI: 17.58
-DI: 18.91
Value: -57.41
Upper: 68.66
Middle: 64.55
Lower: 60.43
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13382.0 | 13327.0 | 13300.0 | 12733.33 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 6497.0 | 6920.0 | 6285.0 | 6585.33 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 4372.0 | 3577.0 | 3756.0 | 4160.0 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 17208.0 | 17180.0 | 16467.0 | 16573.33 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2125.0 | 3343.0 | 2529.0 | 2425.33 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 420684.0 | 426698.0 | 430678.0 | 427076.33 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1666537.0 | 1670549.0 | 1663659.0 | 1645789.33 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 223570.0 | 226290.0 | 222203.0 | 217956.67 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 116028.0 | 113685.0 | 126123.0 | 117031.0 |
Brent crude (OCT 25) settled at $68.8, change $+1.07. WTI crude (OCT 25) settled at $64.8, change $+1.14. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $4.0 (Brent premium of $4.00). 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 over declining crude prices and mixed signals in global economic growth, while maintaining a steady outlook on oil demand.
| 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 | March data |
| Compliance Levels | N/A | Not Mentioned |
OPEC maintains a focus on market stability, with a commitment to adjusting production levels as necessary to balance supply and demand dynamics. The organization is closely monitoring global economic indicators and oil demand trends to inform future policy decisions.
"The demand for DoC crude is revised upward, indicating a positive outlook for OPEC's role in the global oil market."
"Despite the challenges posed by fluctuating prices, we remain optimistic about the long-term demand for oil."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-08-19
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 1,922,821 contracts (-88,138)
Managed Money Net Position: 27,445 contracts (1.4% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -21,420 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 297,794 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -438,348 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-27 | $63.2 | $61.13 | $65.27 |
| 2025-08-28 | $63.15 | $61.08 | $65.22 |
| 2025-08-29 | $63.15 | $61.08 | $65.23 |
| 2025-08-30 | $63.13 | $61.06 | $65.2 |
| 2025-08-31 | $63.21 | $61.14 | $65.29 |
The recent decline in crude oil prices, with $68.98/b for the OPEC Reference Basket and $66.46/b for ICE Brent, suggests potential bearish sentiment in the short term. The narrowing of the $3.50/b Brent-WTI spread indicates a convergence in pricing dynamics, possibly reflecting localized supply concerns or shifts in demand.
With the support level to watch around $62.00/b for WTI and $66.00/b for Brent, traders should be cautious of potential volatility as managed money positions have decreased significantly, suggesting a weakening bullish sentiment. The risk of further price declines exists if inventory levels continue to rise and geopolitical tensions ease.
The downward revisions in non-DoC liquids supply growth and the slight increase in demand for DoC crude indicate a need for careful production planning. With OECD commercial crude inventories rising to 1,323 mb, producers may want to consider hedging strategies to mitigate potential price fluctuations.
The balance of supply and demand is tightening, which may support prices in the medium term, but current bearish sentiment could impact operational decisions. Maintaining flexibility in production and adjusting output in response to market signals will be crucial.
Recent fluctuations in crude prices, with WTI at $64.80/b and Brent at $68.80/b, suggest potential input cost fluctuations for consumers. The geopolitical landscape and rising inventory levels could affect procurement strategies, necessitating close monitoring of market trends and potential hedging against price increases.
As refinery margins begin to recover in some regions, consumers should evaluate their supply reliability and consider diversifying sources to mitigate risks associated with potential supply disruptions.
The Crude Oil market is currently influenced by several bearish and bullish factors. While the overall market sentiment is bullish, driven by a slight upward adjustment in demand forecasts, the significant drop in managed money positions indicates a potential shift towards caution in speculative trading.
Key driving factors include the tightening balance of supply and demand, with rising inventories and geopolitical tensions shaping the outlook. Analysts should remain vigilant for shifts in sentiment and positioning, particularly as economic growth forecasts for major economies are adjusted. These elements will be crucial in forecasting future market movements.