MA(9): $63.34
MA(20): $64.83
MACD: -0.8191
Signal: -0.8721
Days since crossover: 1
Value: 48.74
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 7,551
Avg (20d): 252,718
Ratio: 0.03
%K: 52.6
%D: 38.53
ADX: 15.97
+DI: 17.82
-DI: 18.98
Value: -47.4
Upper: 69.37
Middle: 64.83
Lower: 60.28
| Category | Current (BCFD) | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13382.0 | 13327.0 | 13300.0 | 12733.33 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 6497.0 | 6920.0 | 6285.0 | 6585.33 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 4372.0 | 3577.0 | 3756.0 | 4160.0 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 17208.0 | 17180.0 | 16467.0 | 16573.33 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 2125.0 | 3343.0 | 2529.0 | 2425.33 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 420684.0 | 426698.0 | 430678.0 | 427076.33 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1666537.0 | 1670549.0 | 1663659.0 | 1645789.33 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 223570.0 | 226290.0 | 222203.0 | 217956.67 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 116028.0 | 113685.0 | 126123.0 | 117031.0 |
Brent crude (OCT 25) settled at $67.73, change $+0.06. WTI crude (OCT 25) settled at $63.66, change $+0.14. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $4.07 (Brent premium of $4.07). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
OPEC's sentiment appears cautious, reflecting concerns over fluctuating oil prices and the need for market stability amidst varying global economic conditions.
| 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 |
| Crude Production (April) | 40.92 mb/d | Decrease of 106 tb/d m-o-m |
OPEC remains focused on maintaining market stability and balancing supply and demand dynamics. The organization is closely monitoring global economic indicators and adjusting its forecasts to ensure that its production strategies align with market needs.
"The demand for DoC crude is revised upward, indicating a positive outlook for our member countries."
"We must remain vigilant in our approach to production adjustments to support market stability."
CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-08-19
Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):
Open Interest: 1,922,821 contracts (-88,138)
Managed Money Net Position: 27,445 contracts (1.4% of OI)
Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -21,420 contracts
Producer/Merchant Net Position: 297,794 contracts
Swap Dealer Net Position: -438,348 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-26 | $64.83 | $62.83 | $66.83 |
| 2025-08-27 | $64.78 | $62.78 | $66.78 |
| 2025-08-28 | $64.73 | $62.73 | $66.73 |
| 2025-08-29 | $64.7 | $62.7 | $66.7 |
| 2025-08-30 | $64.64 | $62.64 | $66.64 |
The recent decline in the $5.02 for the OPEC Reference Basket indicates a bearish trend in the short term. However, the strong backwardation in the front end of the forward curves suggests short-term trading opportunities might arise as traders remain optimistic about market recovery.
The Brent-WTI spread at $4.07 reflects ongoing supply dynamics, with potential for volatility as geopolitical factors play a role. Traders should monitor the support levels around $62.96 for WTI and resistance near around $66.46 for Brent, which could signal entry or exit points.
CFTC data indicates a weakening bullish sentiment among managed money traders, which could foreshadow volatility. Keep an eye on the managed money net position drop, as extreme positioning might indicate potential market reversals.
The current market conditions necessitate a reevaluation of production planning and hedging strategies. With crude inventories rising by 21.4 mb in March, producers may need to adjust output to prevent oversupply in the market.
The balance of supply and demand indicates slight upward revisions in demand for DoC crude, suggesting a potential for improved pricing in the medium term. However, the geopolitical tensions and fluctuating inventory levels could impact operational strategies and require agile responses.
With the geopolitical landscape affecting supply reliability, consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations. The recent increase in crude imports by China and India indicates a competitive procurement environment, which could lead to price increases.
The Brent and WTI price movements suggest monitoring input costs closely, especially with refinery margins showing mixed signals. Consider hedging strategies to mitigate risks associated with rising prices and supply disruptions.
The Crude Oil market is currently influenced by a blend of bullish sentiment and weakening positioning. The overall economic growth forecasts suggest stability, but adjustments in supply and demand dynamics indicate potential volatility ahead.
Key driving factors include global oil demand growth projected at 1.3 mb/d for both 2025 and 2026, alongside a decline in non-DoC supply growth. Analysts should focus on geopolitical risks and their implications for market stability as they assess potential outlook shifts.