MA(9): $65.25
MA(20): $66.21
MACD: -0.7819
Signal: -0.3064
Days since crossover: 6
Value: 37.95
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 7,865
Avg (20d): 248,948
Ratio: 0.03
%K: 5.04
%D: 11.58
ADX: 14.59
+DI: 15.84
-DI: 24.08
Value: -94.96
Upper: 69.96
Middle: 66.21
Lower: 62.47
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13284.0 | 13314.0 | 13300.0 | 12733.33 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 5962.0 | 6136.0 | 6953.0 | 6359.0 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3318.0 | 2698.0 | 4919.0 | 2702.67 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 17124.0 | 16911.0 | 16150.0 | 16520.67 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2644.0 | 3438.0 | 2034.0 | 3656.33 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 423662.0 | 426691.0 | 433049.0 | 435651.0 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1662801.0 | 1660512.0 | 1664122.0 | 1657825.33 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 227082.0 | 228405.0 | 223757.0 | 220611.0 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 112971.0 | 113536.0 | 126847.0 | 118244.33 |
Brent crude (OCT 25) settled at $66.63, change $+0.04. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $63.96, change $+0.52. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $2.67 (Brent premium of $2.67). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC expresses a cautious yet optimistic sentiment regarding the oil market, highlighting steady demand growth amid economic adjustments and fluctuating supply dynamics.
| Metric | Value/Forecast | Source/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| World Oil Demand Growth (2025) | 1.3 mb/d | Unchanged from last assessment |
| World Oil Demand Growth (2026) | 1.3 mb/d | Unchanged from last 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 from 5-year average | 173 mb below | March data |
| Compliance with Production Agreements | 106 tb/d decrease | April production data |
OPEC remains committed to ensuring market stability through careful monitoring of supply and demand dynamics. The organization emphasizes the importance of cooperation among member countries to adapt to changing market conditions and to support sustainable oil prices.
"The market outlook reflects traders’ optimism about the short-term, despite the challenges posed by fluctuating supply dynamics."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-08-05
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 2,036,424 contracts (+7,551)
Managed Money Net Position: 81,337 contracts (4.0% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -16,050 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 288,472 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -459,030 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-13 | $63.22 | $61.07 | $65.36 |
| 2025-08-14 | $63.24 | $61.09 | $65.38 |
| 2025-08-15 | $63.25 | $61.11 | $65.4 |
| 2025-08-16 | $63.26 | $61.12 | $65.41 |
| 2025-08-17 | $63.3 | $61.16 | $65.45 |
The recent bearish sentiment in the market, reflected by a sentiment score of -0.600, suggests caution for traders. The $66.63 for Brent and $63.96 for WTI indicate a narrowing Brent-WTI spread of $2.67, which may reflect shifting dynamics in supply and demand between global and U.S. markets.
The support levels to watch are around $62.00 for WTI and $65.00 for Brent, while resistance can be anticipated near $68.00. Given the increased volatility and the managed money positioning showing a weakening bullish trend, traders should be ready for potential short-term fluctuations.
Producers should consider the implications of the recent inventory levels, with OECD commercial crude stocks at 1,323 mb, which is 139 mb below the 2015–2019 average. This indicates a tighter market that could affect production planning and pricing strategies.
The hedging strategies may need to be adjusted in response to the market sentiment and declining crude production from OPEC countries, which has decreased by 106 tb/d in April. Producers should remain vigilant of geopolitical risks that may impact supply reliability.
Consumers should brace for potential input cost fluctuations as crude prices remain under pressure with Brent at $66.63 and WTI at $63.96. The bearish sentiment may lead to short-term price reductions, but the supply reliability risks remain, particularly due to geopolitical tensions and fluctuating inventory levels.
Given the current dynamics, procurement strategies should focus on securing supplies at current prices while monitoring the forward curves for any signs of upward pressure in the medium term.
The Crude Oil market is currently facing a bearish outlook, driven by a combination of factors including a decline in OPEC production, rising inventory levels, and a negative news sentiment score of -0.600. The supply-demand balance indicates a slight tightening, but the overall sentiment suggests caution.
Analysts should focus on the key driving factors such as geopolitical developments, OPEC's production policies, and the evolving economic landscape, particularly in major consuming countries. The positioning data indicates a weakening bullish stance among managed money, which could signal a shift in market dynamics.