MA(9): $66.42
MA(20): $66.87
MACD: -0.1336
Signal: 0.0888
Days since crossover: 24
Value: 50.44
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 8,651
Avg (20d): 195,430
Ratio: 0.04
%K: 40.49
%D: 25.44
ADX: 12.11
+DI: 21.72
-DI: 19.03
Value: -59.51
Upper: 68.79
Middle: 66.87
Lower: 64.95
| 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's sentiment appears cautiously optimistic as it navigates through fluctuating oil prices and steady global economic growth 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 | Preliminary data for 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 market dynamics and ensure a balanced supply-demand scenario, particularly as global economic growth continues to show resilience.
"The front end of the ICE Brent, NYMEX WTI and GME Oman forward curves strengthened further in April, reflecting traders’ optimism about the market outlook in the short-term."
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-29 | $66.77 | $63.45 | $70.09 |
| 2025-07-30 | $66.82 | $63.5 | $70.14 |
| 2025-07-31 | $66.77 | $63.45 | $70.09 |
| 2025-08-01 | $66.79 | $63.47 | $70.11 |
| 2025-08-02 | $66.7 | $63.38 | $70.02 |
The recent decline in Crude Oil prices, with the OPEC Reference Basket averaging $68.98/b, indicates potential bearish sentiment in the short term. The narrowing of the Brent-WTI spread to $3.28 suggests a convergence in pricing dynamics, which may present risks for traders relying on arbitrage opportunities.
Traders should monitor the support levels around $62.00 and resistance levels near $66.50. The ML price predictions and managed money positioning indicate a potential for volatility, with managed money net positions increasing, suggesting a bullish trend may be forming.
With global oil demand expected to grow by 1.3 mb/d in 2025, producers should focus on adjusting production plans accordingly. The bearish sentiment in the market, reflected in the decline of crude prices, may necessitate reevaluating hedging strategies to mitigate risks associated with price fluctuations.
The increase in OECD commercial crude inventories by 21.4 mb month-over-month signals a need for careful management of production levels to avoid oversupply. Producers should also consider the impact of geopolitical factors and inventory trends on their operations and pricing strategies.
The current bearish market sentiment and declining crude prices could lead to input cost fluctuations for consumers. With WTI and Brent prices showing a downward trend, procurement strategies should be revisited to capitalize on potential cost savings.
However, supply reliability risks remain due to geopolitical tensions and fluctuating inventory levels. Consumers should prepare for potential disruptions and consider hedging options to manage price volatility effectively.
The Crude Oil market is currently characterized by bearish sentiment driven by declining prices and increasing inventories. The balance of supply and demand indicates a slight upward revision in demand forecasts, but with a concurrent increase in supply, particularly from non-DoC countries.
Analysts should focus on the implications of the geopolitical landscape, particularly any developments related to OPEC and US policies, as these could significantly shift market dynamics. The mixed signals from technical indicators and positioning data suggest that while there may be short-term opportunities, caution is advised as the market navigates these complexities.