MA(9): $59.04
MA(20): $61.14
MACD: -1.5968
Signal: -1.155
Days since crossover: 14
Value: 30.75
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 12,230
Avg (20d): 252,371
Ratio: 0.05
%K: 5.22
%D: 7.26
ADX: 26.14
+DI: 10.78
-DI: 34.43
Value: -94.78
Upper: 66.29
Middle: 61.14
Lower: 56.0
| 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 |
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.
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.
| Category | Production (mb/d) | Demand (mb/d) |
|---|---|---|
| World Production |
|
|
| Non-DoC Production |
|
|
| DoC Production | 43.05 (average for September) |
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
| 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.