MA(9): $58.53
MA(20): $60.39
MACD: -1.1907
Signal: -1.2629
Days since crossover: 1
Value: 53.35
Category: NEUTRAL
Current: 13,928
Avg (20d): 247,398
Ratio: 0.06
%K: 77.32
%D: 44.14
ADX: 25.82
+DI: 23.01
-DI: 25.14
Value: -22.68
Upper: 64.86
Middle: 60.39
Lower: 55.92
| Category | Current | Last Week | Last Year | 3 Yr Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Production (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 13629.0 | 13636.0 | 13500.0 | 12900.0 |
| Crude Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 5918.0 | 5525.0 | 5529.0 | 6208.0 |
| Crude Exports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 4203.0 | 4466.0 | 4123.0 | 4691.33 |
| Refinery Inputs (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 15730.0 | 15130.0 | 15755.0 | 15569.67 |
| Net Imports (Thousand Barrels a Day) | 1715.0 | 1059.0 | 1406.0 | 1516.67 |
| Commercial Crude Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 422824.0 | 423785.0 | 420550.0 | 429029.67 |
| Crude & Products Total Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 1693212.0 | 1696565.0 | 1635840.0 | 1628639.67 |
| Gasoline Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 216679.0 | 218826.0 | 212697.0 | 214974.0 |
| Distillate Stocks (Thousand Barrels) | 115551.0 | 117030.0 | 114979.0 | 110761.0 |
Brent crude (DEC 25) settled at $62.59, change $+1.27. WTI crude (DEC 25) settled at $58.5, change $+1.26. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $4.09 (Brent premium of $4.09). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.
The OPEC market is currently experiencing a stable production environment, with a slight increase in crude oil production from DoC countries. Global oil demand is projected to grow steadily, particularly in non-OECD regions, indicating a balanced yet cautious outlook for the oil market in the coming months.
| Category | Production (mb/d) | Demand (mb/d) |
|---|---|---|
| World Production | 105.135 | 105.135 |
| Non-DoC Production | 51.439 | 59.307 |
| DoC Production | 43.05 | 42.5 |
The current supply-demand balance indicates a slight surplus in the market, with total world production at 105.135 mb/d against a demand of 105.135 mb/d. However, the demand for DoC crude remains stable at 42.5 mb/d, suggesting that while overall balance is maintained, there may be localized deficits or surpluses depending on specific regions and product types.
In 2025, the major contributors to global oil production include the US, Brazil, Canada, and Argentina, particularly in the Non-DoC category. The DoC countries have seen a month-on-month increase in production, averaging 43.05 mb/d, indicating a robust compliance with production agreements.
Global oil demand is projected to grow by approximately 1.3 mb/d in 2025, with significant contributions from non-OECD countries, particularly in Asia. China and India are leading this demand growth, with respective demands of 16.853 mb/d and 5.704 mb/d. The OECD regions are expected to see minimal growth, highlighting a shift in consumption patterns towards emerging markets.
Non-DoC production is forecasted at 51.439 mb/d, significantly higher than DoC production at 43.05 mb/d. This disparity highlights the increasing role of non-OPEC producers in the global oil supply, as they continue to expand their output capabilities, particularly in North America and Brazil.
OPEC's current market position reflects a cautious optimism, with stable production levels and a commitment to maintaining market balance. The organization is likely to continue its strategic focus on managing supply through the DoC, while monitoring the growth in non-OECD demand closely.
As global economic growth remains steady, OPEC can expect continued demand growth, particularly from non-OECD countries. However, potential challenges may arise from geopolitical tensions and shifts in energy policies in major consuming nations, which could impact future demand and pricing strategies.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-24 | $61.8 | $59.52 | $64.08 |
| 2025-10-25 | $61.84 | $59.57 | $64.12 |
| 2025-10-26 | $61.73 | $59.45 | $64.01 |
| 2025-10-27 | $61.46 | $59.18 | $63.74 |
| 2025-10-28 | $61.24 | $58.96 | $63.51 |
The Crude Oil market presents a bearish sentiment with a sentiment score of -0.600. The $70.39 average OPEC Reference Basket price suggests a support level around this mark, while the $4.09 Brent-WTI spread indicates ongoing price divergence, reflecting geopolitical tensions and differing supply/demand dynamics.
Traders should monitor the resistance levels near $67.58 for Brent and $63.53 for WTI, as these may act as price ceilings in the short term. The current backwardation in the forward curve suggests potential volatility, with opportunities arising from fluctuations in the market driven by supply signals and CFTC positioning, which remains net short for many traders.
Producers should consider the implications of inventory levels, with OECD crude stocks at 1,316 mb, indicating a bearish trend compared to historical averages. The hedging strategies should be revisited, particularly in light of the $70.39 average OPEC price and ongoing production increases from non-DoC countries.
With a forecasted demand for DoC crude rising to 42.5 mb/d in 2025, producers may find opportunities in adjusting production schedules to align with demand shifts, especially in non-OECD regions. The bearish sentiment from market positioning suggests caution in expanding production without securing favorable pricing through hedges.
Consumers should prepare for potential input cost fluctuations as the current market sentiment remains bearish. The $63.53 WTI price and $67.58 Brent price indicate that procurement strategies should factor in these variances, especially with the tightening supply dynamics.
Additionally, geopolitical risks highlighted by recent sanctions and the need for reliable supply sources should prompt consumers to consider diversifying their procurement strategies. With US crude imports stabilizing at 6.1 mb/d, maintaining flexibility in contracts and securing long-term agreements may mitigate risks associated with supply disruptions.
The Crude Oil market is currently characterized by a bearish sentiment, driven by a combination of fundamental supply/demand dynamics, technical positioning, and news sentiment. The average OPEC price of $70.39 reflects a mixed outlook, with geopolitical factors influencing price movements.
Analysts should closely monitor the ML forecasts and CFTC positioning data, which indicate a net short stance among managed money traders, suggesting potential volatility ahead. The ongoing strength in the $4.09