MA(9): $64.15
MA(20): $65.85
MACD: -0.9191
Signal: -0.528
Days since crossover: 8
Value: 43.28
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 212,950
Avg (20d): 267,789
Ratio: 0.8
%K: 24.5
%D: 12.65
ADX: 15.71
+DI: 16.58
-DI: 24.7
Value: -75.5
Upper: 69.93
Middle: 65.85
Lower: 61.78
| 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 $65.63, change $-0.49. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $62.65, change $-0.52. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $2.98 (Brent premium of $2.98). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC's sentiment appears cautious as it navigates a complex market landscape characterized by fluctuating oil prices and mixed economic 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 | As of March |
| Compliance Levels with Production Agreements | N/A | Not Mentioned |
OPEC maintains a focus on market stability, acknowledging the challenges posed by fluctuating prices and varying demand forecasts. The organization is likely to continue monitoring production levels and adjusting strategies to align with global market conditions.
"The global economy continues to demonstrate a steady growth trend despite recent tariff-related developments."
"Demand for DoC crude is revised upward, reflecting a positive outlook for OPEC's market position."
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 | $62.67 | $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 | $62.76 | $60.61 | $64.9 |
| 2025-08-18 | $62.78 | $60.64 | $64.93 |
The recent decline in crude oil prices, with $68.98 for the OPEC Reference Basket and $66.46 for ICE Brent, suggests bearish sentiment in the market. The $3.50 Brent-WTI spread indicates a slight premium for Brent, reflecting ongoing differences in global versus U.S. supply-demand dynamics.
Traders should be cautious of potential volatility as the sentiment score stands at -0.600. The managed money net position shows a weakening bullish trend, which could lead to further price declines if the bearish sentiment continues.
Short-term opportunities may arise from the narrowing spread, but traders should monitor for support levels around the recent lows to gauge potential reversals. Fibonacci retracement levels may provide additional insights into potential price targets.
The current market dynamics indicate a need for careful production planning. With crude oil inventories rising to 2,740 mb, producers should consider adjusting output levels to prevent oversupply.
The bearish sentiment reflected in the market could impact pricing strategies, making it vital to implement effective hedging strategies to mitigate potential losses.
Additionally, the forecasted demand growth of 1.3 mb/d in 2025 may create opportunities, particularly in non-OECD markets. Producers should focus on these regions to optimize their output in alignment with demand forecasts.
With crude prices currently around $66.46 for Brent and $62.96 for WTI, consumers should anticipate potential input cost fluctuations. The bearish sentiment may lead to lower prices in the short term, but ongoing geopolitical tensions could pose supply reliability risks.
The recent drop in U.S. crude imports to 5.8 mb/d and the mixed signals from product imports and exports suggest variability in supply chains. Consumers should evaluate procurement strategies carefully to navigate potential disruptions effectively.
The Crude Oil market is currently characterized by a bearish sentiment, driven by declining prices and rising inventories. The OPEC narrative indicates a cautious outlook, with global demand growth projected at 1.3 mb/d for 2025, primarily in non-OECD regions.
Key driving factors include a fundamental imbalance between supply and demand, as evidenced by the drop in crude production from OPEC+ countries and the increase in non-DoC liquids supply. Analysts should monitor these trends closely to assess potential shifts in market dynamics.
The positioning data reveals a weakening bullish trend among managed money traders, suggesting a cautious approach to forecasting price movements in the near term.