MA(9): $67.2
MA(20): $66.63
MACD: 0.2161
Signal: 0.4017
Days since crossover: 19
Value: 48.99
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 184
Avg (20d): 213,248
Ratio: 0.0
%K: 31.0
%D: 47.88
ADX: 15.69
+DI: 23.26
-DI: 18.38
Value: -69.0
Upper: 69.0
Middle: 66.63
Lower: 64.25
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13375.0 | 13385.0 | 13300.0 | 12500.0 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 6379.0 | 6013.0 | 6760.0 | 6910.0 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3518.0 | 2757.0 | 3999.0 | 3845.67 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 16849.0 | 17006.0 | 17109.0 | 16610.67 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2861.0 | 3256.0 | 2761.0 | 3064.33 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 422162.0 | 426021.0 | 445096.0 | 441418.33 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1658540.0 | 1649494.0 | 1658697.0 | 1660766.0 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 232867.0 | 229468.0 | 229666.0 | 226605.0 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 106970.0 | 102797.0 | 124612.0 | 119589.33 |
Brent crude (SEP 25) settled at $69.28, change $-0.24. WTI crude (AUG 25) settled at $67.34, change $-0.2. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $1.94 (Brent premium of $1.94). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC's sentiment appears cautiously optimistic, reflecting a steady growth in global oil demand and a slight recovery in crude oil prices, despite some downward revisions in economic forecasts.
| 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 | As of March |
| Compliance Levels with Production Agreements | 106 tb/d decrease in April | Average production at 40.92 mb/d |
OPEC maintains a focus on market stability, with an emphasis on monitoring global economic conditions and adjusting production levels as necessary to align with demand forecasts. The organization is committed to supporting price recovery while ensuring that supply remains balanced with demand.
"The global economy continues to demonstrate a steady growth trend despite recent tariff-related developments."
"Demand for DoC crude is revised upward, reflecting a positive outlook for OPEC's market position."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-07-15
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 2,069,099 contracts (+77,874)
Managed Money Net Position: 91,769 contracts (4.4% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -53,928 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 303,419 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -491,815 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-22 | $67.22 | $63.12 | $71.31 |
| 2025-07-23 | $67.21 | $63.11 | $71.31 |
| 2025-07-24 | $67.15 | $63.05 | $71.25 |
| 2025-07-25 | $67.16 | $63.07 | $71.26 |
| 2025-07-26 | $67.17 | $63.07 | $71.27 |
The recent bearish sentiment in the crude oil market, reflected by a sentiment score of -0.400, suggests potential downward pressure on prices. The $69.28 for Brent and $67.34 for WTI indicate a narrowing Brent-WTI spread of $1.94, which could signify tightening supply dynamics in the U.S. compared to global markets.
With managed money positions showing a decline of -53,928 contracts, there may be increased volatility ahead. Traders should monitor Fibonacci levels for potential support around $62.96 (WTI) and $66.46 (Brent) as critical thresholds.
The current market sentiment is bearish, which may influence production planning and hedging strategies. With crude inventories rising to 2,740 mb, and crude production from OPEC countries decreasing by 106 tb/d, producers should consider adjusting output levels to align with demand forecasts that remain steady at 42.6 mb/d in 2025.
The hedging strategies should be reassessed in light of the oversupply concerns highlighted in recent news articles, which could further impact pricing.
Input cost fluctuations are a key concern, with WTI and Brent prices currently at $67.34 and $69.28 respectively. The geopolitical risks related to supply reliability, particularly with ongoing EU sanctions on Russia, should be closely monitored as they may affect procurement strategies.
Additionally, the decline in product imports by 19% y-o-y indicates potential pressure on availability, which may necessitate proactive procurement approaches to mitigate risks associated with supply disruptions.
The Crude Oil market is currently facing a bearish outlook driven by increasing global oil supply and declining managed money positions. The sentiment score of -0.400 reflects the prevailing concerns regarding oversupply, as evidenced by the 2,740 mb in OECD commercial oil inventories.
Key driving factors include steady demand growth in non-OECD countries and a potential oversupply scenario. Analysts should prepare for possible shifts in market sentiment as geopolitical developments unfold and monitor the implications on price forecasts and trading strategies.