MA(9): $58.79
MA(20): $60.2
MACD: -0.9128
Signal: -1.1883
Days since crossover: 2
Value: 53.36
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 735,186
Avg (20d): 305,971
Ratio: 2.4
%K: 78.39
%D: 64.64
ADX: 23.91
+DI: 24.46
-DI: 23.36
Value: -21.61
Upper: 64.01
Middle: 60.2
Lower: 56.38
| Category | Current | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13629.0 | 13636.0 | 13500.0 | 12900.0 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 5918.0 | 5525.0 | 5529.0 | 6208.0 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 4203.0 | 4466.0 | 4123.0 | 4691.33 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 15730.0 | 15130.0 | 15755.0 | 15569.67 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 1715.0 | 1059.0 | 1406.0 | 1516.67 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 422824.0 | 423785.0 | 420550.0 | 429029.67 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1693212.0 | 1696565.0 | 1635840.0 | 1628639.67 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 216679.0 | 218826.0 | 212697.0 | 214974.0 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 115551.0 | 117030.0 | 114979.0 | 110761.0 |
Brent crude (DEC 25) settled at $65.94, change $-0.05. WTI crude (DEC 25) settled at $61.5, change $-0.29. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $4.44 (Brent premium of $4.44). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
The current OPEC market situation reflects a stable economic growth trajectory globally, with oil demand forecasted to grow by approximately 1.3 mb/d in 2025. Production from OPEC member countries has increased, contributing to a balanced supply-demand scenario, although challenges remain in the non-OECD regions.
| Category | Production (mb/d) | Demand (mb/d) |
|---|---|---|
| World Production | 105.135 | 105.135 |
| Non-DoC Production | 51.439 | |
| DoC Production | 43.05 |
The supply-demand balance indicates that global oil demand is projected at 105.135 mb/d, which aligns closely with the total production levels. The DoC production of 43.05 mb/d meets a significant portion of this demand, leaving a small surplus that may buffer against potential market fluctuations.
Production by region shows that the Americas lead with 25.186 mb/d, followed by Europe at 13.509 mb/d and the Middle East at 9.014 mb/d. Notably, the US Non-DoC production is a significant contributor at 22.068 mb/d, indicating a robust production environment in North America.
Demand is strongest in the Americas and China, with each region consuming approximately 25.186 mb/d and 16.853 mb/d respectively. The non-OECD regions, particularly India and other Asian countries, are projected to drive demand growth, highlighting potential challenges in meeting this rising demand.
Non-DoC production stands at 51.439 mb/d, while DoC production is at 43.05 mb/d. This indicates that Non-DoC producers are contributing significantly to the global supply, which may create competitive pressures on OPEC's pricing strategies and market share.
OPEC's current market position is strengthened by stable production levels and a favorable demand outlook. However, the organization must navigate the competitive landscape posed by Non-DoC producers and the potential for fluctuating global demand, particularly in emerging markets.
As the global economy continues to grow, OPEC is likely to see increased demand for its crude oil. However, the organization should remain vigilant of production increases from Non-DoC countries, which could impact market dynamics and pricing strategies in the near future.
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-09-23
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 1,936,690 contracts (-25,930)
Managed Money Net Position: 26,483 contracts (1.4% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -10,316 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 283,712 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -402,312 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-25 | $61.55 | $59.28 | $63.81 |
| 2025-10-26 | $61.45 | $59.18 | $63.72 |
| 2025-10-27 | $61.16 | $58.89 | $63.43 |
| 2025-10-28 | $60.98 | $58.71 | $63.25 |
| 2025-10-29 | $60.99 | $58.72 | $63.26 |
The recent bullish sentiment in the market, reflected by a sentiment score of +0.750, suggests potential upward price movements, particularly for $Brent and $WTI. However, the managed money net position indicates a bearish shift as traders are net short, which could lead to increased volatility.
The $Brent-WTI spread currently at $4.44 reflects ongoing supply/demand dynamics, with geopolitical issues influencing price differentials. Traders should monitor support levels around $63.00 for WTI and resistance around $70.00 for Brent, as these could indicate potential entry points for short-term trades.
With global oil demand growth forecast unchanged at 1.3 mb/d for 2025, producers should align their production planning accordingly. The increase in $43.05 mb/d from OPEC countries indicates a need for strategic hedging to mitigate price volatility risks, especially with a bearish managed money positioning.
The decline in OECD crude inventories suggests tightening supply, which can affect market prices. Producers should consider this when planning their production levels and hedging strategies to protect against potential downturns in pricing.
Consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations as $WTI and $Brent prices show signs of volatility. The geopolitical tensions and fluctuating inventory levels may affect supply reliability, necessitating proactive procurement strategies.
With refinery margins increasing due to seasonal trends, refineries may experience higher costs for refined products. Monitoring $4.44 Brent-WTI spread will be crucial for understanding pricing dynamics in the procurement of crude oil.
The Crude Oil market remains influenced by a mix of bullish sentiment and bearish positioning among traders. The stable global economic growth forecast of 3.0% for 2025 supports a positive outlook for demand, while inventory levels suggest tightening supply.
Key driving factors include the managed money positioning, which indicates a potential market reversal if speculators shift their stance. Analysts should keep a close eye on geopolitical developments and their impact on $Brent and $WTI pricing dynamics to anticipate potential shifts in the market outlook.