Crude Oil Radar

2025-10-26 23:50

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 10/26/2025 Focus: Crude Oil
While India-US potential trade deal undermining Russian exports (which is seen as a supply hit - thus bullish), I remain skeptical that this would really impact the TRUE supply-demand balance. I think this would likely have more impact to Russian income as Russia would likely sell distressed barrels to an intermediary and that intermediary then sells to consumer markets. $61.64 and $57.35 are going to be the range - if bulls take out 61.64 then we see expansion to 63.80 (at a minimum) however I see it more likely as a dip to 57.35 and then 53.87 - that is the likely path I am seeing. After attempting the 61.6 breakout - the failure paints the picture more firm that a drop back to the 50s seems “in the cards” and I think 57.35 is the level next week.

Today's Update

Updated: 2025-10-26 23:46:41 Length: 519 chars
Crude oil markets are navigating a complex landscape shaped by trade deal optimism between the US and China, which is seen as potentially boosting demand while undermining Russian exports. Despite this bullish narrative, skepticism lingers regarding the actual impact on supply-demand balance. Price targets indicate a possible range between $57.35 and $61.64, with a breakout above $61.64 suggesting further gains. However, a failure to hold could lead prices back into the $50s, making caution key in the weeks ahead.

Market Summary

Technical Outlook

Moderately Bearish
Score: -2/5
Short: BUY | Medium: BUY | Long: SELL

International Prices

Brent: $65.94 $0.05
WTI: $61.5 $0.29
Spread: $4.44 (Brent premium of $4.44)

Key Fundamentals

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

News Sentiment

BULLISH

Spec Positioning

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

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -2 (Moderately Bearish)
Current Price: $61.64
Signal: Moderately Bearish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $59.12

MA(20): $60.11

Current Price is 61.64, 9 day MA 59.12, 20 day MA 60.11

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: -0.6959

Signal: -1.0898

Days since crossover: 3

MACD crossed the line 3 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 53.93

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 53.93 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 18,053

Avg (20d): 292,159

Ratio: 0.06

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

OVERBOUGHT

%K: 80.52

%D: 80.57

Stochastic %K: 80.52, %D: 80.57. Signal: overbought

ADX (14)

WEAK TREND

ADX: 22.37

+DI: 23.77

-DI: 22.7

ADX: 22.37 (+DI: 23.77, -DI: 22.7). Trend: weak trend

Williams %R (14)

OVERBOUGHT

Value: -19.48

Williams %R: -19.48 (overbought)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

ABOVE MIDDLE

Upper: 63.69

Middle: 60.11

Lower: 56.52

Price vs BBands (20, 2): above middle. Upper: 63.69, Middle: 60.11, Lower: 56.52

Fundamental Analysis

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

International Price Analysis

International Price Summary

Brent crude (DEC 25) settled at $65.94, change $-0.05. WTI crude (DEC 25) settled at $61.5, change $-0.29. The Brent-WTI spread is currently $4.44 (Brent premium of $4.44). The Brent-WTI spread reflects differences in global vs. U.S. supply/demand dynamics, geopolitics, and transportation costs.

Brent Crude

$65.94
0.05
(DEC 25)

WTI Crude

$61.5
0.29
(DEC 25)

Brent-WTI Spread

$4.44
Brent premium of $4.44

OPEC Analysis

OPEC Market Analysis

Executive Summary:

The current OPEC market situation reflects a stable yet cautious outlook, with global oil demand growth forecasted at 1.3 mb/d for 2025, while production from countries participating in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) has seen a month-on-month increase. The balance between supply and demand remains tight, with potential implications for pricing and market stability.

Key Market Metrics:

Category Production (mb/d) Demand (mb/d)
World Production 105.135 105.135
Non-DoC Production 51.439 -
DoC Production 43.05 -

Supply-Demand Balance Analysis:

The global oil supply is currently at 105.135 mb/d, matching the demand forecast for 2025. The production from DoC countries is at 43.05 mb/d, indicating a tight supply-demand balance. This equilibrium suggests that any disruptions in production or unexpected increases in demand could lead to price volatility.

Production Landscape:

In 2025, the major contributors to global production include the US (22.067 mb/d), Canada (6.063 mb/d), and Brazil (4.389 mb/d). Notably, DoC countries have increased production by 630 tb/d month-on-month, contributing to the overall stability in the market. The Middle East remains a critical region, with production levels at 9.013 mb/d.

Demand Patterns:

Global oil demand is projected to grow by 1.3 mb/d in 2025, with significant contributions from the non-OECD region, particularly China and India. The demand from the Americas stands at 25.186 mb/d, while Europe and Asia Pacific contribute 13.508 mb/d and 7.133 mb/d, respectively. The growth in demand from emerging economies poses both opportunities and challenges for the market.

Non-DoC vs DoC Analysis:

Non-DoC production is forecasted at 51.439 mb/d, significantly higher than DoC production at 43.05 mb/d. This indicates that Non-DoC countries are playing an increasingly vital role in meeting global oil supply needs, potentially impacting OPEC's influence on the market.

OPEC's Strategic Position:

OPEC's current market position appears stable, with a slight increase in production from member countries. However, the organization must navigate the growing influence of Non-DoC producers and the potential for fluctuating demand, particularly from major consumers like China and India. OPEC's policy direction may focus on maintaining production levels to support price stability while monitoring global economic conditions.

Forward-Looking Indicators:

As we move into the latter part of 2025, indicators suggest that demand will continue to grow, particularly in non-OECD countries. However, any geopolitical tensions or economic slowdowns could pose risks to this outlook. OPEC may need to adjust its production strategies to respond to these evolving market dynamics.

Key Insights and Recommendations:

  • Monitor production levels closely, particularly from Non-DoC countries, to assess their impact on global supply.
  • Stay attuned to demand shifts in emerging markets, especially China and India, as they are critical to future growth.
  • Consider strategic adjustments in production to maintain price stability amidst potential market volatility.
  • Evaluate the implications of geopolitical developments on supply chains and market access.
  • Engage in proactive communication with market participants to build confidence and transparency in OPEC's strategies.

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

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: Rising rates may impact energy demand
Risk Sentiment: Low market volatility/risk appetite

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

98.91
Daily: -0.04 (-0.04%)
Weekly: -0.02 (-0.02%)

US_10Y

4.0
Daily: 0.01 (0.15%)
Weekly: 0.01 (0.28%)

SP500

6791.69
Daily: 53.25 (0.79%)
Weekly: 56.56 (0.84%)

VIX

16.37
Daily: -0.93 (-5.38%)
Weekly: -1.86 (-10.2%)

GOLD

4093.3
Daily: -25.1 (-0.61%)
Weekly: 5.6 (0.14%)

COPPER

5.2
Daily: 0.11 (2.07%)
Weekly: 0.27 (5.46%)

Fibonacci Analysis

Current Price: $61.64
Closest Support: $60.7 1.52% below current price
Closest Resistance: $62.04 0.65% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $56.35
0.236 $59.04
0.382 $60.7 Support
0.5 $62.04 Resistance
0.618 $63.39
0.786 $65.3
1.0 $67.74

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $70.84
1.618 $74.78
2.0 $79.13
2.618 $86.17

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $61.5
Forecast Generated: 2025-10-26 23:49:41
Next Trading Day: UP 0.06%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2025-10-25 $61.54 $59.27 $63.81
2025-10-26 $61.43 $59.16 $63.7
2025-10-27 $61.12 $58.85 $63.39
2025-10-28 $60.96 $58.69 $63.23
2025-10-29 $60.97 $58.7 $63.23

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price increase of ~0.06% for the next trading day (2025-10-25), reaching $61.54.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2025-10-25 and 2025-10-29.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~7.4% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Bullish signal, moderate uncertainty.

AI Analysis

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For Energy Traders:

The current market dynamics present an optimistic sentiment with a sentiment score of +0.800. The $4.44 Brent-WTI spread indicates a stronger global demand versus U.S. supply dynamics, which could lead to potential resistance levels around $67.58 for Brent and $63.53 for WTI.

The flattening of the forward curves suggests increased volatility in the short term, especially given the bearish positioning of managed money traders. Traders should monitor the support levels near $63.00 for WTI, which, if breached, could signal further downside.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

The supply-demand balance remains tight with a forecasted global oil demand growth of 1.3 mb/d in 2025. Producers should consider this when planning production as hedging strategies may be necessary to manage price fluctuations amidst the bearish positioning of traders.

With OECD crude inventories at 1,316 mbsignificantly below historical averages—this suggests a tightening market. Producers may need to adjust output levels to align with inventory trends and market sentiment, which remains optimistic overall.

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For Consumers (Industrial/Refineries/Transportation):

Consumers should brace for potential input cost fluctuations as crude prices remain volatile. With the current WTI and Brent prices at $63.53 and $67.58 respectively, procurement strategies should account for hedging against price rises in the coming months.

Additionally, geopolitical factors, particularly around Russian energy sanctions, could impact supply reliability. Companies should assess their supply chains and consider diversifying sources to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical tensions and potential inventory shortages.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The Crude Oil market is currently characterized by a strong demand outlook juxtaposed with bearish trader positioning. The fundamentals indicate a potential increase in demand driven by non-OECD countries, while the geopolitical landscape adds complexity to supply forecasts.

Analysts should focus on the implications of the Brent-WTI spread and monitor how it reflects broader market dynamics. The current sentiment suggests a cautious optimism, yet the flattening forward curves signal possible volatility ahead. Continuous monitoring of inventory levels and geopolitical developments will be crucial for accurate forecasting.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.