MA(9): $64.54
MA(20): $66.04
MACD: -0.909
Signal: -0.4268
Days since crossover: 7
Value: 37.03
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 6,299
Avg (20d): 251,675
Ratio: 0.03
%K: 2.18
%D: 7.57
ADX: 15.02
+DI: 15.47
-DI: 24.19
Value: -97.82
Upper: 70.05
Middle: 66.04
Lower: 62.03
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13327.0 | 13284.0 | 13400.0 | 12700.0 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 6920.0 | 5962.0 | 6224.0 | 6525.0 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3577.0 | 3318.0 | 3638.0 | 4451.67 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 17180.0 | 17124.0 | 16402.0 | 16545.33 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 3343.0 | 2644.0 | 2586.0 | 2073.33 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 426698.0 | 423662.0 | 429321.0 | 431764.67 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1670549.0 | 1662801.0 | 1666068.0 | 1650569.67 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 226290.0 | 227082.0 | 225097.0 | 218011.67 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 113685.0 | 112971.0 | 127796.0 | 118040.67 |
Brent crude (OCT 25) settled at $66.12, change $-0.51. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $63.17, change $-0.79. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $2.95 (Brent premium of $2.95). 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, with expectations of steady demand growth despite recent economic challenges.
| 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 balance supply and demand dynamics. The organization is closely monitoring global economic indicators and oil demand forecasts to guide future policy decisions.
"The demand for DoC crude is revised upward, reflecting a more optimistic outlook for market stability."
"Despite economic challenges, the global oil demand trajectory remains resilient."
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-14 | $62.66 | $60.52 | $64.81 |
| 2025-08-15 | $62.68 | $60.53 | $64.82 |
| 2025-08-16 | $62.7 | $60.56 | $64.85 |
| 2025-08-17 | $62.75 | $60.61 | $64.9 |
| 2025-08-18 | $62.78 | $60.64 | $64.93 |
The recent bearish sentiment reflected in the overall market sentiment score of -0.700 indicates potential downward pressure on prices. With the Brent-WTI spread currently at $2.95, traders should consider the implications of the narrowing spread, which suggests a tightening U.S. supply-demand dynamic compared to global markets.
The support level for WTI appears to be around $62.00, while resistance is seen near $65.00. Traders should also monitor the risk of increased volatility due to geopolitical tensions and inventory fluctuations, particularly as managed money net positions have decreased by 16,050 contracts, indicating a potential weakening bullish sentiment.
The current balance of supply and demand indicates a slight upward revision in demand for DoC crude, now at 42.6 mb/d for 2025. However, the bearish sentiment and declining production from OPEC+ (down by 106 tb/d) suggest that producers should carefully assess their hedging strategies and production planning to mitigate potential risks associated with fluctuating prices and inventory levels.
With OECD commercial crude stocks at 1,323 mb, which is 139 mb below the 2015–2019 average, producers should be cautious of market dynamics that could lead to further price declines, particularly in a bearish market environment.
Consumers in the industrial and refining sectors should brace for potential fluctuations in input costs, particularly with WTI prices hovering around $63.17. The risk of supply reliability issues remains, especially with geopolitical tensions affecting crude flows and the bearish sentiment in the market.
The strategy for procurement should involve monitoring inventory levels, as U.S. crude imports have declined to an average of 5.8 mb/d, indicating tighter supply. The current refining margins in the U.S. Gulf Coast show signs of recovery, which may provide opportunities for cost management, but overall market conditions remain bearish.
The Crude Oil market presents a complex picture with bearish sentiment dominating due to recent price declines and inventory increases. The global oil demand forecast remains stable at 1.3 mb/d growth for 2025, but the bearish sentiment from news articles and CFTC positioning suggests a potential shift in market dynamics.
Key driving factors include the balance of supply and demand, with non-DoC liquids supply growth forecasted to be 0.8 mb/d. Analysts should focus on the implications of geopolitical developments and U.S. inventory levels, as these could lead to significant shifts in price outlooks, particularly if managed money positioning continues to weaken.