Crude Oil Radar

2025-10-28 23:49

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 10/28/2025 Focus: Crude Oil
Fundamentals appear to be pretty bearish - with the lone exception being distillate stocks globally which are bullish. Russian sanctions added a little momentum to push crude above $60 - but I don’t see that as really turning anything bullish. $61.64 and $57.35 are going to be the range - if bulls take out 61.64 then we see expansion to 63.80 (at a minimum) however I see it more likely as a dip to 57.35 and then 53.87 - that is the likely path I am seeing. Crude’s recovery to 61.64 is stalled (and for good reason) - I would see this as a tipping point before dropping back to 57.35 (the number I see coming this week.

Today's Update

Updated: 2025-10-28 23:46:30 Length: 516 chars
Crude oil fundamentals are bearish overall, with the exception of globally bullish distillate stocks. Recent Russian sanctions briefly pushed prices above $60, but resistance is evident. Current trading suggests a potential dip to $57.35, with $61.64 as a critical level—breaking this could signal a rise to $63.80. Meanwhile, U.S. crude inventories have dropped more than expected, heightening concerns about a supply glut. Keep an eye on price movements around these key levels for potential trading opportunities.

Market Summary

Technical Outlook

Moderately Bearish
Score: -2/5
Short: BUY | Medium: BUY | Long: SELL

International Prices

Brent: $65.62 $0.32
WTI: $61.31 $0.19
Spread: $4.31 (Brent premium of $4.31)

Key Fundamentals

Crude Stocks: N/A (0)
Net Imports: N/A (0)

News Sentiment

BULLISH

Spec Positioning

Net Position: 26,483
Weekly Change: 10,316

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -2 (Moderately Bearish)
Current Price: $60.07
Signal: Moderately Bearish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $59.28

MA(20): $59.97

Current Price is 60.07, 9 day MA 59.28, 20 day MA 59.97

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: -0.6637

Signal: -1.0088

Days since crossover: 4

MACD crossed the line 4 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 46.98

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 46.98 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 8,806

Avg (20d): 273,651

Ratio: 0.03

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BEARISH CROSS

%K: 57.06

%D: 70.31

Stochastic %K: 57.06, %D: 70.31. Signal: bearish cross

ADX (14)

WEAK TREND

ADX: 21.4

+DI: 21.67

-DI: 25.76

ADX: 21.4 (+DI: 21.67, -DI: 25.76). Trend: weak trend

Williams %R (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: -42.94

Williams %R: -42.94 (neutral zone)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

ABOVE MIDDLE

Upper: 63.37

Middle: 59.97

Lower: 56.58

Price vs BBands (20, 2): above middle. Upper: 63.37, Middle: 59.97, Lower: 56.58

Fundamental Analysis

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

International Price Analysis

International Price Summary

Brent crude (DEC 25) settled at $65.62, change $-0.32. WTI crude (DEC 25) settled at $61.31, change $-0.19. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $4.31 (Brent premium of $4.31). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.

Brent Crude

$65.62
0.32
(DEC 25)

WTI Crude

$61.31
0.19
(DEC 25)

Brent-WTI Spread

$4.31
Brent premium of $4.31

OPEC Analysis

OPEC Market Analysis

Executive Summary:

The current OPEC market situation reflects a complex interplay between stable global economic growth and fluctuating oil prices. In September, the OPEC Reference Basket value increased slightly, while global oil demand is projected to grow steadily, particularly in non-OECD regions, indicating a potential tightening of supply in the near future.

Key Market Metrics:

Category World Production (mb/d) World Demand (mb/d) Non-DoC Production (mb/d) DoC Production (mb/d)
Americas 25.19 25.19 28.14 N/A
Europe 13.51 13.51 3.58 N/A
Asia Pacific 7.13 7.13 0.42 N/A
China 16.85 16.85 4.61 N/A
India 5.70 5.70 0.82 N/A
Middle East 9.01 9.01 2.01 N/A
Total World 104.54 105.14 51.44 43.05

Supply-Demand Balance Analysis:

The data indicates a slight surplus in global oil supply, with total world production at 104.54 mb/d against demand of 105.14 mb/d. This suggests a potential tightening of the market as demand is expected to grow, particularly in non-OECD regions, which could lead to upward pressure on prices if production does not keep pace.

Production Landscape:

In 2025, the major contributors to global oil production include the US, Brazil, and Canada, with Non-DoC production expected to grow by approximately 0.8 mb/d. OPEC's production, particularly from DoC countries, has seen an increase of 630 tb/d, reaching an average of 43.05 mb/d, indicating a robust response to market conditions.

Demand Patterns:

Global oil demand is projected to grow by 1.3 mb/d in 2025, with non-OECD regions, especially in Asia, driving this growth. China and India are expected to remain significant contributors to demand, highlighting the importance of these markets for future oil consumption trends.

Non-DoC vs DoC Analysis:

Non-DoC production is projected at 51.44 mb/d, significantly higher than DoC production at 43.05 mb/d. This indicates that countries outside the OPEC agreement are playing a crucial role in meeting global oil demand, which may influence OPEC's production strategies moving forward.

OPEC's Strategic Position:

OPEC's current market position appears stable, with a slight increase in production from DoC countries. However, the organization faces challenges from rising Non-DoC production and fluctuating global demand, which may necessitate strategic adjustments in production levels to maintain market stability.

Forward-Looking Indicators:

As global demand continues to rise, particularly in emerging markets, OPEC may need to consider increasing production to prevent potential supply shortages. Additionally, geopolitical factors and economic conditions in major consuming countries will play a critical role in shaping future market dynamics.

Key Insights and Recommendations:

  • Monitor Non-DoC production closely, as it poses a competitive challenge to OPEC's market share.
  • Consider strategic production adjustments to align with rising global demand, particularly in Asia.
  • Enhance communication and coordination among DoC countries to ensure a unified response to market fluctuations.
  • Evaluate the impact of geopolitical developments on oil prices and supply chains.
  • Invest in market intelligence to better anticipate shifts in consumer demand and production capabilities.

CFTC CoT Analysis

Sentiment: Bullish but Weakening
Positioning: Normal Range
Report Date: 2025-09-23

Managed Money

26,483
Change: -10,316
1.4% of OI

Producer/Merchant

283,712
Change: -9,029
14.6% of OI

Swap Dealers

-402,312
Change: +5,178
-20.8% of OI

Open Interest

1,936,690
Change: -25,930

Summary Analysis:

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.

News Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

BULLISH
Average Polarity: 0.6
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 34
Last Updated: 2025-10-28 23:49:18

Commodity Sentiment

CRUDE_OIL

0.6

Top News Topics

Supply (1 articles)

Economic Analysis

Economic Sentiment Summary

POSITIVE - Economic indicators generally supportive
Dollar Impact: Weaker USD may support commodity prices
Industrial Demand: Strong industrial demand signals
Interest Rate Impact: Rising rates may impact energy demand
Risk Sentiment: Low market volatility/risk appetite

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

98.79
Daily: 0.01 (0.01%)
Weekly: -0.11 (-0.11%)

US_10Y

3.98
Daily: -0.01 (-0.35%)
Weekly: 0.03 (0.76%)

SP500

6890.89
Daily: 15.73 (0.23%)
Weekly: 191.49 (2.86%)

VIX

16.42
Daily: 0.63 (3.99%)
Weekly: -2.18 (-11.72%)

GOLD

3984.2
Daily: -17.7 (-0.44%)
Weekly: -60.2 (-1.49%)

COPPER

5.17
Daily: 0.03 (0.49%)
Weekly: 0.2 (4.12%)

Fibonacci Analysis

Current Price: $60.07
Closest Support: $58.8 2.11% below current price
Closest Resistance: $60.32 0.42% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $56.35
0.236 $58.8 Support
0.382 $60.32 Resistance
0.5 $61.55
0.618 $62.78
0.786 $64.52
1.0 $66.75

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $69.58
1.618 $73.18
2.0 $77.15
2.618 $83.58

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $60.15
Forecast Generated: 2025-10-28 23:49:20
Next Trading Day: DOWN 0.53%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2025-10-29 $59.83 $57.59 $62.08
2025-10-30 $59.65 $57.4 $61.89
2025-10-31 $59.69 $57.44 $61.93
2025-11-01 $59.79 $57.55 $62.04
2025-11-02 $59.89 $57.65 $62.14

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price decrease of ~0.53% for the next trading day (2025-10-29), reaching $59.83.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2025-10-29 and 2025-11-02.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~7.5% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Bearish signal, moderate uncertainty.

AI Analysis

💹

For Energy Traders:

The current market dynamics indicate a bullish sentiment with a sentiment score of +0.600. Traders should monitor the $4.31 Brent-WTI spread, which reflects ongoing supply/demand dynamics and geopolitical factors. The support level can be established around the recent lows, particularly for WTI at $61.31 and Brent at $65.62. However, the bearish positioning of hedge funds, with a net short stance, suggests potential volatility and risk of price corrections. Short-term opportunities may arise from fluctuations due to seasonal demand and refinery maintenance impacts.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

With global oil demand projected to grow by 1.3 mb/d in 2025, producers should consider adjusting production plans accordingly. The increase in DoC crude demand to 42.5 mb/d presents an opportunity for strategic production increases. However, the current inventory levels, with OECD crude stocks 13.1 mb lower than last year, indicate tightening supply which may enhance pricing power. Hedging strategies should be revisited in light of market sentiment, which remains bearish among speculators.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Refineries/Transportation):

Consumers should brace for potential fluctuations in input costs, particularly with WTI and Brent prices currently at $63.53 and $67.58 respectively. The geopolitical landscape and inventory levels, with OECD crude stocks significantly below five-year averages, pose risks to supply reliability. Given the bullish sentiment in the market, procurement strategies should be evaluated to mitigate risks associated with price volatility and ensure steady supply.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The Crude Oil market shows a complex interplay of factors with a bullish overall sentiment driven by stable global economic growth and anticipated demand increases. However, the bearish positioning of managed money traders indicates potential market corrections. Key driving factors include strong demand growth in non-OECD countries and tightening inventories. Analysts should remain vigilant of supply disruptions and geopolitical developments that could shift market dynamics in the near term.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice or specific buying/selling recommendations.