MA(9): $67.43
MA(20): $67.92
MACD: 0.4029
Signal: 0.6038
Days since crossover: 15
Value: 49.72
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 6,201
Avg (20d): 251,749
Ratio: 0.02
%K: 44.08
%D: 60.77
ADX: 17.84
+DI: 21.16
-DI: 15.83
Value: -55.92
Upper: 74.34
Middle: 67.92
Lower: 61.5
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13385.0 | 13433.0 | 13200.0 | 12533.33 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 6013.0 | 6919.0 | 6547.0 | 6438.33 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2757.0 | 2305.0 | 4401.0 | 3055.67 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 17006.0 | 17105.0 | 16792.0 | 16802.67 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3256.0 | 4614.0 | 2146.0 | 3382.67 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 426021.0 | 418951.0 | 448539.0 | 443426.0 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1649494.0 | 1642845.0 | 1655662.0 | 1658750.0 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 229468.0 | 232126.0 | 231672.0 | 224685.0 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 102797.0 | 103622.0 | 119728.0 | 118865.33 |
Brent crude (SEP 25) settled at $69.21, change $-1.15. WTI crude (AUG 25) settled at $66.98, change $-1.47. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $2.23 (Brent premium of $2.23). 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 fluctuating oil prices and the impact of global economic growth on 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 | OECD commercial oil inventories at 2,740 mb |
| Compliance Levels | Not Mentioned | N/A |
OPEC maintains a focus on market stability, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of global economic indicators and oil demand trends. The organization is poised to make adjustments to production levels as necessary to balance supply and demand in the market.
"The global economic growth forecast for 2025 is revised down slightly to 2.9%, but the growth forecast for 2026 remains at 3.1%."
"Demand for DoC crude is revised upward by about 0.1 mb/d from the previous month, standing at 42.6 mb/d in 2025."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-07-08
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 1,991,225 contracts (+1,785)
Managed Money Net Position: 145,697 contracts (7.3% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -28,936 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 272,897 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -509,517 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-16 | $66.53 | $62.43 | $70.64 |
| 2025-07-17 | $66.61 | $62.5 | $70.72 |
| 2025-07-18 | $66.54 | $62.44 | $70.65 |
| 2025-07-19 | $66.62 | $62.51 | $70.73 |
| 2025-07-20 | $66.64 | $62.53 | $70.75 |
The recent decline in crude oil prices, with the $68.98 average for the OPEC Reference Basket and $66.46 for ICE Brent, signals a bearish sentiment in the market. The narrowing of the Brent-WTI spread to $2.23 indicates a slight adjustment in supply/demand dynamics, which could present risks for traders looking for short-term opportunities.
The support levels to monitor are around $62.96 (NYMEX WTI) and $66.46 (Brent), while resistance may be seen at levels above these prices. The backwardation in forward curves suggests some optimism, but volatility is likely given the current bearish sentiment reflected in the news and positioning data.
The current bearish sentiment and declining crude prices may affect production planning. With OECD commercial crude inventories increasing to 2,740 mb, producers should consider adjusting their hedging strategies to mitigate potential losses. The slight decrease in production from DoC countries could provide some support, but the overall outlook remains cautious.
Given the balance between supply and demand, with DoC crude demand revised upwards, producers should keep an eye on inventory levels and the potential for price recovery in the medium term. Market sentiment is currently weak, which could impact operational decisions moving forward.
With crude prices averaging $66.98 for WTI and $69.21 for Brent, consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations. The declining demand in OECD regions and rising inventories may provide some price relief, but geopolitical tensions could still pose supply reliability risks.
The current bearish sentiment in the market indicates that procurement strategies should be flexible. Consumers may benefit from monitoring the market trends and considering hedging options to manage costs effectively.
The Crude Oil market is currently influenced by a mix of bearish sentiment driven by inventory increases and a lack of fresh demand catalysts. The balance between supply and demand remains delicate, with non-DoC liquids supply growth forecasted to slow.
Key drivers include the bearish news sentiment and the positioning data indicating weakening bullish trends among managed money traders. Analysts should keep a close watch on geopolitical developments and economic indicators that could shift the outlook in the coming months.