MA(9): $66.73
MA(20): $67.05
MACD: 0.0848
Signal: 0.088
Days since crossover: 25
Value: 58.07
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 17,571
Avg (20d): 199,320
Ratio: 0.09
%K: 88.66
%D: 46.09
ADX: 12.93
+DI: 27.53
-DI: 17.17
Value: -11.34
Upper: 69.09
Middle: 67.05
Lower: 65.01
| 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 $70.04, change $+1.6. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $66.71, change $+1.55. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.33 (Brent premium of $3.33). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC expresses a cautious optimism regarding the oil market outlook, despite recent price declines and mixed 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 Stocks (March) | 2,740 mb | 10.3 mb higher, m-o-m |
| OECD Commercial Crude Stocks | 1,323 mb | 139 mb less than 2015–2019 average |
| OECD Total Product Stocks | 1,417 mb | 34 mb below 2015–2019 average |
OPEC remains committed to maintaining market stability and is closely monitoring global supply and demand dynamics. The organization is prepared to adjust its production strategies to respond to market changes and ensure a balanced oil market.
"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."
"Demand for DoC crude is revised upward, indicating a positive adjustment in market expectations."
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-30 | $69.26 | $65.8 | $72.73 |
| 2025-07-31 | $69.21 | $65.75 | $72.68 |
| 2025-08-01 | $69.2 | $65.73 | $72.67 |
| 2025-08-02 | $69.06 | $65.59 | $72.52 |
| 2025-08-03 | $68.91 | $65.44 | $72.38 |
The recent decline in crude oil prices, with the $68.98 average for the OPEC Reference Basket, suggests a bearish sentiment in the short term. However, the backwardation in the forward curves indicates potential short-term optimism among traders. The narrowing of the Brent-WTI spread to $3.50 reflects shifting dynamics in global supply and demand, which may present trading opportunities for those looking to capitalize on price movements.
With managed money positioning indicating a bullish sentiment and the 2,013,304 contracts in open interest, traders should monitor for potential price reversals. Key support levels may form around recent lows, while resistance could be identified near the $70 mark.
The current market dynamics, with rising global oil demand expected to increase by 1.3 mb/d in 2025, might encourage producers to adjust their production planning accordingly. However, with 40.92 mb/d production from OPEC nations decreasing recently, producers need to consider their hedging strategies carefully to mitigate risks associated with price volatility.
The increase in OECD commercial crude inventories by 21.4 mb may signal a need for producers to manage their output levels to avoid oversupply in the market, which could further depress prices. The bearish sentiment from recent news may also necessitate adjustments in operational strategies.
The recent fluctuations in crude oil prices suggest potential input cost fluctuations for consumers. With WTI prices settling at $66.71, procurement strategies should be re-evaluated to mitigate risks associated with price volatility. Additionally, the geopolitical tensions highlighted in news sentiment could impact supply reliability, necessitating contingency plans.
The decline in US product imports by 19% y-o-y may also affect product availability, making it crucial for consumers to assess their supply chains and consider hedging options to protect against potential shortages or price spikes.
The Crude Oil market is currently facing a complex interplay of factors. On one hand, the bullish sentiment from managed money positioning indicates potential upward price pressures, while the decline in prices and rising inventories suggest caution. The fundamentals show a slight increase in global demand, which may provide a counterbalance to the oversupply concerns stemming from OPEC's production cuts.
Analysts should closely monitor the impact of geopolitical developments, particularly regarding sanctions and trade relations, as these could significantly influence market dynamics. Overall, the outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with potential shifts depending on upcoming economic indicators and geopolitical events.