Crude Oil Radar

2025-10-19 23:49

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 10/19/2025 Focus: Crude Oil
Crude keeps sliding as oversupply fears crush last week’s geopolitical premium. WTI closed at $57.46 (−1.4%) and Brent at $61.06 (−1.4%), extending a three-day sell-off. Big inventory builds (+3.5 MM bbl), record U.S. output (13.64 MM bpd), and talk of a Trump-Putin meeting all weighed on sentiment. India’s walk-back on halting Russian oil and Iraq’s export restart added more barrels to an already heavy market. Crude finally reached the target we laid out in the beginning of the week at 57.35 and I think the path is set to head to 53.87 next - although there could be support at this level. The weekly petroleum status report was really bearish - especially with net imports masking potentially how bearish we could be right now. On the bull side we did have a bigger draw on distillates. Looking for a pause at 57.35 and a target of 53.87.

Today's Update

Updated: 2025-10-19 23:46:19 Length: 552 chars
Crude oil prices are under pressure, with WTI closing at $57.46 and Brent at $61.06, reflecting a three-day sell-off driven by concerns over oversupply. Notable inventory builds (+3.5 MM bbl) and record U.S. output (13.64 MM bpd) have overshadowed geopolitical tensions. India's decision to continue purchasing Russian oil and Iraq's export restart have further weighed on prices. Next support could be at $53.87, although a pause at $57.35 may occur. Keep an eye on inventory trends and geopolitical developments as they could impact market direction.

Market Summary

Technical Outlook

Moderately Bearish
Score: -3/5
Short: SELL | Medium: SELL | Long: SELL

International Prices

Brent: $61.29 $0.23
WTI: $57.54 $0.08
Spread: $3.75 (Brent premium of $3.75)

Key Fundamentals

Crude Stocks: N/A (0)
Net Imports: N/A (0)

News Sentiment

BEARISH

Spec Positioning

Net Position: 26,483
Weekly Change: 10,316

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -3 (Moderately Bearish)
Current Price: $56.93
Signal: Moderately Bearish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $59.04

MA(20): $61.14

Current Price is 56.93, 9 day MA 59.04, 20 day MA 61.14

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BEARISH

MACD: -1.5968

Signal: -1.155

Days since crossover: 14

MACD crossed the line 14 days ago and is in a bearish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 30.75

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 30.75 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 12,230

Avg (20d): 252,371

Ratio: 0.05

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

OVERSOLD

%K: 5.22

%D: 7.26

Stochastic %K: 5.22, %D: 7.26. Signal: oversold

ADX (14)

STRONG DOWNTREND

ADX: 26.14

+DI: 10.78

-DI: 34.43

ADX: 26.14 (+DI: 10.78, -DI: 34.43). Trend: strong downtrend

Williams %R (14)

OVERSOLD

Value: -94.78

Williams %R: -94.78 (oversold)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

BELOW MIDDLE

Upper: 66.29

Middle: 61.14

Lower: 56.0

Price vs BBands (20, 2): below middle. Upper: 66.29, Middle: 61.14, Lower: 56.0

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) 13636.0 13629.0 13400.0 12900.0
Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 5525.0 6403.0 6239.0 5793.0
Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 4466.0 3590.0 3794.0 4520.67
Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) 15130.0 16297.0 15590.0 15567.0
Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) 1059.0 2813.0 2445.0 1272.33
Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 423785.0 420261.0 422741.0 425885.0
Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 1696565.0 1694142.0 1641911.0 1628273.33
Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 218826.0 219093.0 214898.0 215122.0
Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) 117030.0 121559.0 118513.0 111646.33

International Price Analysis

International Price Summary

Brent crude (DEC 25) settled at $61.29, change $+0.23. WTI crude (NOV 25) settled at $57.54, change $+0.08. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $3.75 (Brent premium of $3.75). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.

Brent Crude

$61.29
0.23
(DEC 25)

WTI Crude

$57.54
0.08
(NOV 25)

Brent-WTI Spread

$3.75
Brent premium of $3.75

OPEC Analysis

OPEC Market Analysis

Executive Summary:

The current OPEC market situation reflects a stable global oil demand growth forecast of approximately 1.3 mb/d for 2025, with a slight increase in production from DoC countries. Despite a bearish sentiment among hedge funds, the overall market remains supported by steady economic growth, particularly in non-OECD regions.

Key Market Metrics:

Category Production (mb/d) Demand (mb/d)
World Production
  • Americas: 25.19
  • Europe: 13.51
  • Asia Pacific: 7.13
  • Total OECD: 45.83
  • China: 16.85
  • India: 5.70
  • Other Asia: 9.89
  • Latin America: 6.89
  • Middle East: 9.01
  • Africa: 4.80
  • Russia: 4.02
  • Other Eurasia: 1.31
  • Other Europe: 0.82
  • Total Non-OECD: 59.31
  • Americas Demand: 25.19
  • Europe Demand: 13.51
  • Asia Pacific Demand: 7.13
  • Total OECD Demand: 45.83
  • China Demand: 16.85
  • India Demand: 5.70
  • Other Asia Demand: 9.89
  • Latin America Demand: 6.89
  • Middle East Demand: 9.01
  • Africa Demand: 4.80
  • Russia Demand: 4.02
  • Other Eurasia Demand: 1.31
  • Other Europe Demand: 0.82
  • Total Non-OECD Demand: 59.31
  • Total World Demand: 105.14
Non-DoC Production
  • US: 22.07
  • Canada: 6.06
  • Chile: 0.01
  • OECD Americas: 28.14
  • Norway: 2.02
  • UK: 0.72
  • Denmark: 0.07
  • Other OECD Europe: 0.76
  • Australia: 0.35
  • China: 4.61
  • India: 0.82
  • Indonesia: 0.83
  • Brazil: 4.39
  • Other Asia: 1.60
  • Total Non-OECD: 19.30
DoC Production 43.05 (average for September)

Supply-Demand Balance Analysis:

The balance between production and demand indicates a slight surplus in the market. The total world production is approximately 105.14 mb/d against a demand of the same level, suggesting that the market is well-supplied. However, the demand for DoC crude is projected to increase, which may tighten the market if production does not keep pace.

Production Landscape:

Major producers such as the US, Canada, and Brazil are expected to drive non-DoC production growth, contributing significantly to the global supply. The DoC countries have increased their production to 43.05 mb/d, with a month-on-month increase of 630 tb/d in September, indicating a strong commitment to maintaining output levels.

Demand Patterns:

Global oil demand is projected to grow by around 1.3 mb/d in 2025, with non-OECD regions, particularly China and India, leading the growth. The OECD demand growth remains modest, highlighting a shift in consumption patterns towards emerging markets.

Non-DoC vs DoC Analysis:

Non-DoC production is forecasted to grow by 0.8 mb/d in 2025, driven primarily by the US, Brazil, Canada, and Argentina. In contrast, DoC production is expected to increase at a slower rate, highlighting the differing dynamics between these two groups. Non-DoC countries are thus becoming increasingly pivotal in meeting global oil demand.

OPEC's Strategic Position:

OPEC's current market position is characterized by a stable production increase from DoC countries, coupled with a robust demand forecast. The organization is likely to maintain its production strategy to balance the market while responding to the growing demand from non-OECD countries.

Forward-Looking Indicators:

In the coming months, OPEC may face challenges in meeting the rising demand from non-OECD countries. The production increases from non-DoC countries could lead to competitive pressures on prices, particularly if global economic growth remains stable.

Key Insights and Recommendations:

  • Monitor the production levels of both DoC and non-DoC countries to assess market balance.
  • Focus on emerging markets like India and China for demand growth opportunities.
  • Prepare for potential price volatility as non-DoC production increases.
  • Consider strategic partnerships with non-OECD producers to enhance market stability.
  • Stay informed on global economic trends that could impact oil demand forecasts.

CFTC CoT Analysis

Sentiment: Bullish but Weakening
Positioning: Normal Range
Report Date: 2025-09-23

Managed Money

26,483
Change: -10,316
1.4% of OI

Producer/Merchant

283,712
Change: -9,029
14.6% of OI

Swap Dealers

-402,312
Change: +5,178
-20.8% of OI

Open Interest

1,936,690
Change: -25,930

Summary Analysis:

CFTC Commitment of Traders Report (Disaggregated) as of 2025-09-23

Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NYMEX):

Open Interest: 1,936,690 contracts (-25,930)

Managed Money Net Position: 26,483 contracts (1.4% of OI)

Weekly Change in Managed Money Net: -10,316 contracts

Producer/Merchant Net Position: 283,712 contracts

Swap Dealer Net Position: -402,312 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.

News Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

BEARISH
Average Polarity: -0.6
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 33
Last Updated: 2025-10-19 23:48:54

Commodity Sentiment

CRUDE_OIL

-0.6

Economic Analysis

Economic Sentiment Summary

POSITIVE - Economic indicators generally supportive
Dollar Impact: Weaker USD may support commodity prices
Industrial Demand: Strong industrial demand signals
Interest Rate Impact: Stable/lower rates may support demand
Risk Sentiment: Moderate market volatility

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

98.45
Daily: 0.02 (0.02%)
Weekly: -0.6 (-0.6%)

US_10Y

4.01
Daily: 0.03 (0.78%)
Weekly: -0.04 (-1.09%)

SP500

6664.01
Daily: 34.94 (0.53%)
Weekly: 9.29 (0.14%)

VIX

20.78
Daily: -4.53 (-17.9%)
Weekly: 1.75 (9.2%)

GOLD

4263.5
Daily: 73.6 (1.76%)
Weekly: 124.8 (3.02%)

COPPER

5.05
Daily: 0.11 (2.3%)
Weekly: 0.06 (1.3%)

Fibonacci Analysis

Current Price: $56.93
Closest Support: $56.6 0.58% below current price
Closest Resistance: $59.88 5.18% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $56.6 Support
0.236 $59.88 Resistance
0.382 $61.91
0.5 $63.56
0.618 $65.2
0.786 $67.53
1.0 $70.51

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $74.29
1.618 $79.11
2.0 $84.42
2.618 $93.02

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $57.54
Forecast Generated: 2025-10-19 23:48:56
Next Trading Day: UP 0.02%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2025-10-18 $57.55 $55.57 $59.53
2025-10-19 $57.63 $55.65 $59.62
2025-10-20 $57.71 $55.72 $59.69
2025-10-21 $57.74 $55.76 $59.73
2025-10-22 $57.74 $55.75 $59.72

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price increase of ~0.02% for the next trading day (2025-10-18), reaching $57.55.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2025-10-18 and 2025-10-22.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~6.9% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Bullish signal, moderate uncertainty.

AI Analysis

💹

For Energy Traders:

The current bearish sentiment in the crude oil market, reflected by a sentiment score of -0.600, suggests potential downward pressure on prices. The Brent-WTI spread at $3.75 indicates a continued premium for Brent, which may present short-term trading opportunities on spreads, especially if geopolitical tensions or supply concerns escalate.

With the flattening forward curves and managed money net positions indicating a weakening bullish sentiment, traders should monitor key resistance levels around $70 for Brent and $64 for WTI. A break below these levels could signal further declines.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

The balance of supply and demand remains stable, with demand for DoC crude projected to rise to 42.5 mb/d in 2025. However, the bearish market sentiment and high inventory levels, particularly a 10.4 mb drop in crude stocks, may impact pricing strategies.

Producers should consider hedging strategies to mitigate potential price declines, especially given the current CFTC data showing a net short position among managed money traders. Monitoring inventory levels and adjusting production plans accordingly will be crucial in navigating this market environment.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Refineries/Transportation):

Consumers should brace for potential input cost fluctuations as crude prices remain volatile, with WTI and Brent prices hovering around $63.53 and $67.58 respectively. The bearish sentiment could lead to lower prices in the short term, but consumers must remain vigilant of geopolitical risks that could disrupt supply.

The tightening in inventory levels and increased refinery margins suggest that procurement strategies may need to adapt. Ensuring reliable supply chains and exploring hedging options could mitigate risks associated with price volatility and supply disruptions.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The current crude oil market presents a complex picture. The bearish sentiment, coupled with a -0.600 sentiment score, indicates potential downward pressure on prices. Key drivers include stable global economic growth forecasts and ongoing supply increases from non-DoC producers, particularly in the US and Brazil.

Analysts should focus on the implications of the supply-demand balance, particularly the unchanged demand growth forecasts of 1.3 mb/d for 2025. The mixed signals from CFTC positioning and refinery margins suggest that while there may be short-term opportunities, the broader outlook remains cautious, warranting close monitoring of geopolitical developments and inventory trends.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research before making trading or investment decisions.