MA(9): $59.12
MA(20): $60.11
MACD: -0.6959
Signal: -1.0898
Days since crossover: 3
Value: 53.93
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 18,053
Avg (20d): 292,159
Ratio: 0.06
%K: 80.52
%D: 80.57
ADX: 22.37
+DI: 23.77
-DI: 22.7
Value: -19.48
Upper: 63.69
Middle: 60.11
Lower: 56.52
| 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 yet cautious outlook, with global oil demand growth forecasted at 1.3 mb/d for 2025, while production from countries participating in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) has seen a month-on-month increase. The balance between supply and demand remains tight, with potential implications for pricing and market stability.
| Category | Production (mb/d) | Demand (mb/d) |
|---|---|---|
| World Production | 105.135 | 105.135 |
| Non-DoC Production | 51.439 | - |
| DoC Production | 43.05 | - |
The global oil supply is currently at 105.135 mb/d, matching the demand forecast for 2025. The production from DoC countries is at 43.05 mb/d, indicating a tight supply-demand balance. This equilibrium suggests that any disruptions in production or unexpected increases in demand could lead to price volatility.
In 2025, the major contributors to global production include the US (22.067 mb/d), Canada (6.063 mb/d), and Brazil (4.389 mb/d). Notably, DoC countries have increased production by 630 tb/d month-on-month, contributing to the overall stability in the market. The Middle East remains a critical region, with production levels at 9.013 mb/d.
Global oil demand is projected to grow by 1.3 mb/d in 2025, with significant contributions from the non-OECD region, particularly China and India. The demand from the Americas stands at 25.186 mb/d, while Europe and Asia Pacific contribute 13.508 mb/d and 7.133 mb/d, respectively. The growth in demand from emerging economies poses both opportunities and challenges for the market.
Non-DoC production is forecasted at 51.439 mb/d, significantly higher than DoC production at 43.05 mb/d. This indicates that Non-DoC countries are playing an increasingly vital role in meeting global oil supply needs, potentially impacting OPEC's influence on the market.
OPEC's current market position appears stable, with a slight increase in production from member countries. However, the organization must navigate the growing influence of Non-DoC producers and the potential for fluctuating demand, particularly from major consumers like China and India. OPEC's policy direction may focus on maintaining production levels to support price stability while monitoring global economic conditions.
As we move into the latter part of 2025, indicators suggest that demand will continue to grow, particularly in non-OECD countries. However, any geopolitical tensions or economic slowdowns could pose risks to this outlook. OPEC may need to adjust its production strategies to respond to these evolving market dynamics.
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 | $61.54 | $59.27 | $63.81 |
| 2025-10-26 | $61.43 | $59.16 | $63.7 |
| 2025-10-27 | $61.12 | $58.85 | $63.39 |
| 2025-10-28 | $60.96 | $58.69 | $63.23 |
| 2025-10-29 | $60.97 | $58.7 | $63.23 |
The current market dynamics present an optimistic sentiment with a sentiment score of +0.800. The $4.44 Brent-WTI spread indicates a stronger global demand versus U.S. supply dynamics, which could lead to potential resistance levels around $67.58 for Brent and $63.53 for WTI.
The flattening of the forward curves suggests increased volatility in the short term, especially given the bearish positioning of managed money traders. Traders should monitor the support levels near $63.00 for WTI, which, if breached, could signal further downside.
The supply-demand balance remains tight with a forecasted global oil demand growth of 1.3 mb/d in 2025. Producers should consider this when planning production as hedging strategies may be necessary to manage price fluctuations amidst the bearish positioning of traders.
With OECD crude inventories at 1,316 mb—significantly below historical averages—this suggests a tightening market. Producers may need to adjust output levels to align with inventory trends and market sentiment, which remains optimistic overall.
Consumers should brace for potential input cost fluctuations as crude prices remain volatile. With the current WTI and Brent prices at $63.53 and $67.58 respectively, procurement strategies should account for hedging against price rises in the coming months.
Additionally, geopolitical factors, particularly around Russian energy sanctions, could impact supply reliability. Companies should assess their supply chains and consider diversifying sources to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical tensions and potential inventory shortages.
The Crude Oil market is currently characterized by a strong demand outlook juxtaposed with bearish trader positioning. The fundamentals indicate a potential increase in demand driven by non-OECD countries, while the geopolitical landscape adds complexity to supply forecasts.
Analysts should focus on the implications of the Brent-WTI spread and monitor how it reflects broader market dynamics. The current sentiment suggests a cautious optimism, yet the flattening forward curves signal possible volatility ahead. Continuous monitoring of inventory levels and geopolitical developments will be crucial for accurate forecasting.