MA(9): $63.76
MA(20): $65.62
MACD: -1.0066
Signal: -0.6248
Days since crossover: 9
Value: 39.08
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 251,652
Avg (20d): 276,650
Ratio: 0.91
%K: 10.04
%D: 13.96
ADX: 15.86
+DI: 16.02
-DI: 23.26
Value: -89.96
Upper: 69.85
Middle: 65.62
Lower: 61.39
| 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 $65.85, change $-0.99. WTI crude (SEP 25) settled at $62.8, change $-1.16. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.05 (Brent premium of $3.05). 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 through fluctuating oil prices and mixed economic forecasts, while remaining optimistic about short-term market dynamics.
| 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, emphasizing the need for cooperation among member countries to manage supply effectively, while closely monitoring global economic indicators and oil demand trends to inform future production strategies.
"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 2025-08-12
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 2,010,959 contracts (-25,465)
Managed Money Net Position: 48,865 contracts (2.4% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -32,472 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 299,912 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -442,202 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-16 | $62.82 | $60.66 | $64.98 |
| 2025-08-17 | $62.85 | $60.68 | $65.01 |
| 2025-08-18 | $62.87 | $60.71 | $65.03 |
| 2025-08-19 | $62.82 | $60.66 | $64.98 |
| 2025-08-20 | $62.88 | $60.72 | $65.04 |
The recent bearish sentiment in the market, with a sentiment score of -0.600, suggests caution for traders. The $65.85 Brent and $62.80 WTI prices indicate a narrowing Brent-WTI spread of $3.05, reflecting the ongoing adjustments in supply/demand dynamics.
The support level for WTI appears to be around $62.00, while resistance could be tested at $65.00. Traders should monitor for potential volatility, especially given the recent changes in managed money positions, which have decreased by 32,472 contracts. This indicates a weakening bullish sentiment that could lead to price corrections.
With the bearish outlook and a decline in crude prices, producers should consider revisiting their hedging strategies to mitigate risks associated with price volatility. The current inventory levels show an increase in OECD commercial crude stocks, which could indicate an oversupply in the market, affecting pricing power.
The demand forecast for DoC crude has been revised upwards, reaching 42.6 mb/d in 2025, which may provide a cushion for pricing. However, with production from non-DoC countries expected to grow, careful planning is essential to align production with market demand.
Consumers should prepare for potential fluctuations in input costs as WTI and Brent prices remain under pressure. The recent bearish sentiment, coupled with $62.80 WTI prices, may lead to supply reliability risks due to geopolitical tensions and fluctuating inventories.
The consideration for procurement strategies is crucial, especially with U.S. crude imports declining and product exports on the rise. Monitoring refinery margins, particularly in the U.S. Gulf Coast, will be important for assessing profitability and operational costs moving forward.
The Crude Oil market is currently influenced by a mix of bearish sentiment and fundamental shifts. The supply-demand balance is tightening slightly, with a projected demand increase of 1.3 mb/d in 2025, but this is countered by rising inventories and production from non-DoC countries.
Key drivers include the bearish news sentiment around supply forecasts and inventory reports, which could lead to shifts in market outlook. Analysts should closely monitor the implications of geopolitical developments and the positioning of managed money traders, as these factors could signal potential price reversals or further declines.