MA(9): $66.25
MA(20): $66.79
MACD: -0.2573
Signal: 0.064
Days since crossover: 24
Value: 44.3
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 2,497
Avg (20d): 197,469
Ratio: 0.01
%K: 9.11
%D: 14.98
ADX: 11.9
+DI: 21.73
-DI: 20.21
Value: -90.89
Upper: 68.85
Middle: 66.79
Lower: 64.73
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13273.0 | 13375.0 | 13300.0 | 12533.33 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 5976.0 | 6379.0 | 7037.0 | 6467.33 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3855.0 | 3518.0 | 3964.0 | 4441.67 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 16936.0 | 16849.0 | 16928.0 | 16304.0 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2121.0 | 2861.0 | 3073.0 | 2025.67 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 418993.0 | 422162.0 | 440226.0 | 438463.67 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1653187.0 | 1658540.0 | 1669754.0 | 1656358.0 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 231129.0 | 232867.0 | 232994.0 | 223384.33 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 109901.0 | 106970.0 | 128066.0 | 118328.67 |
Brent crude (SEP 25) settled at $68.44, change $-0.74. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $65.16, change $-0.87. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.28 (Brent premium of $3.28). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC expresses a cautious sentiment regarding the oil market, acknowledging both steady demand growth and recent declines in crude prices.
| 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 | N/A | Not Mentioned |
OPEC maintains a focus on market stability, with a commitment to adjusting production levels as necessary to respond to changing demand dynamics and ensure a balanced market. The organization continues to monitor economic indicators closely to inform its policy decisions moving forward.
"The global economy continues to demonstrate a steady growth trend despite recent tariff-related developments."
"Demand for DoC crude is revised upward, reflecting an increase in market confidence."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-07-22
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 2,013,304 contracts (-55,795)
Managed Money Net Position: 98,237 contracts (4.9% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: +6,468 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 286,090 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -467,946 contracts
Market Sentiment (based on Managed Money): Bullish and Strengthening
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-26 | $65.2 | $61.72 | $68.67 |
| 2025-07-27 | $65.26 | $61.78 | $68.74 |
| 2025-07-28 | $65.31 | $61.83 | $68.79 |
| 2025-07-29 | $65.28 | $61.8 | $68.76 |
| 2025-07-30 | $65.33 | $61.85 | $68.81 |
The overall market sentiment is currently bearish, with a sentiment score of -0.400. The $68.44 for Brent and $65.16 for WTI indicate a downward trend, with both contracts showing declines of approximately 7% month-over-month. Traders should pay attention to the support levels around these price points, as they could indicate potential reversal zones. The Brent-WTI spread at $3.28 reflects ongoing supply/demand dynamics that could influence trading strategies. The narrowing spread suggests that the market is adjusting to geopolitical factors and transportation costs. Short-term opportunities may arise from volatility in response to inventory reports and geopolitical news, especially with managed money positioning showing a bullish trend.
Producers should consider the implications of inventory levels, as OECD commercial oil inventories have increased to 2,740 mb, indicating a potential oversupply. The decline in crude production from OPEC countries suggests a need for strategic production planning. With a bearish sentiment prevailing, it may be prudent to adopt hedging strategies to mitigate price risks. Additionally, the $68.98/b average for the OPEC Reference Basket and the current market conditions should inform operational decisions to maintain profitability.
Consumers should be aware of potential fluctuations in input costs, especially with WTI at $65.16 and Brent at $68.44. The current supply reliability risks could stem from geopolitical tensions and changing inventory levels. With US crude imports declining and exports remaining stable, procurement strategies may need to adapt to ensure supply continuity. The bearish sentiment in the market may provide opportunities for cost-effective procurement, but vigilance is required to navigate potential disruptions.
The Crude Oil market is currently influenced by several driving factors. The bearish sentiment, reflected in the overall market sentiment score of -0.400, indicates a cautious outlook. Key fundamentals show a balance of supply and demand, with an upward revision in demand for DoC crude to 42.6 mb/d in 2025. The narrowing Brent-WTI spread suggests a shift in market dynamics that analysts should monitor closely. Overall, the combination of technical indicators, positioning from managed money, and macroeconomic factors indicates a potential shift in outlook that may require reevaluation of forecasts.