higher prices on Crude oil (update) If prices continue to struggle going bullish after inventory
or week come in red. I expect prices to drop into mitigation and if that happens you will see an explosive move on oil.
Otherwise, they should take buy side liquidity @70.77 and come back into internal range (mitigation/volume imbalance)
Mind you, if the fed also cuts rates today that will weaken the USD and strengthen foreign currencies creating more demand for oil and short inventory reports will surge prices higher.
Crudeoil!
Crude Oil is Primed for Gamma ScalpingCrude Oil price have remained sharply range bound for the last two months. CME Group’s West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures have traded between USD 70-80 a barrel since early November last year. Sharply shifting supply and demand outlook explains range bound trading in crude oil.
In this paper, we discuss diverging factors affecting crude oil price and illustrate gamma scalping strategy to harness returns from range bound price moves. Gamma scalping is a well-established dynamic options strategy that enables investment returns from sharply oscillating price moves.
CRUDE OIL’S DIVERGING PRICE OUTLOOK
Tailwinds powering the oil prices increase is fuelled by (a) OPEC+ members decisions on deep supply cuts, and (b) geopolitical risks in the middle east remains elevated. On the day of the conflict escalation, crude prices spiked 2.6% higher.
Some of these attacks have affected crude oil tankers in the region risking supply disruptions.
Headwinds pressing oil prices down include record US crude oil production. The US churned 13.25 million bpd (barrels per day) of oil in Q3. That is more than 3 million bpd higher than Russia (second largest producer).
EIA expects strong US production to continue through 2024 with growth driven by rising well efficiencies in US oil rigs.
Globally, crude production growth is expected to slow but still rise by 0.6 million bpd in 2024 with higher US production offsetting the decline from OPEC nations. Expectedly, this has led to a widening premium for Brent crude compared to WTI.
Demand outlook for crude oil remains uncertain. Slowdown in demand growth remains a concern. EIA forecasts global oil consumption to rise by 1.4 million bpd in 2024. This represents a slowdown in growth compared to prior years (1.9 million bpd in 2023).
Slower economic growth translates into lower crude oil consumption. As such, supply-demand dynamic may remain unchanged despite slowing production growth.
NAVIGATING DIVERGING OIL OUTLOOK
With both bullish and bearish drivers for crude oil in active play, a directional position in crude oil might not be able to provide intended hedge for adverse price move. In a market with plenty of uncertainty and characterised by oscillating prices, gamma scalping can be used to harness consistent gains.
INTRODUCTION TO GAMMA SCALPING IN CRUDE OIL
Gamma scalping is an options trading strategy in which a trader continually adjusts their holdings to profit from small price movements in the underlying, while maintaining a directionally neutral position.
Gamma scalping involves dynamic hedging by continually neutralising options delta. Delta is the value by which options prices change for every dollar change in crude oil price. Gamma is the value by which delta changes for every dollar change in crude oil price.
Gamma scalping profits from small & frequent volatility in crude oil prices regardless price direction. With gamma scalping, traders can gain from both upward and downward price moves.
ILLUSTRATING GAMMA SCALPING IN CRUDE OIL
Gamma can be scalped in multiple ways. Common among them involves establishing a long straddle which is a combination of long call and a long put using at-the-money (“ATM”) options expiring on the same date.
Hypothetically, we can follow three simple steps to set up gamma scalping:
Step 1: Buy (“Long”) ATM Call Option and Put Option (aka Long Straddle)
At the hypothetical strike price of USD 70/barrel, premiums required for buying Straddle (calls and puts at-the-money option expiring on 14/Jun 2024) is USD 12/barrel (USD 6 each for call and put) which translates to USD 12,000 per lot. At inception, the delta should be at or near zero.
In practice, delta for ATM calls and ATM puts can differ and the position may have a net non-zero delta. Investors can reference the pricing sheet on CME QuikStrike for realistic options premiums, delta values, and strikes.
The gamma of the long ~0.025 x 2 = 0.05. Gamma is the value by which delta will change for each change in crude oil price.
Long straddle at inception is delta neutral. Meaning, it does not have directional exposure. However, it has long exposure of 0.05 gamma which signals that delta will change when crude oil prices move.
Step 2: Dynamic Hedging When Crude Prices Move Higher
Consider an up-move of ten points with crude trading up at USD 80/barrel. This results in a new delta of +0.5 (due to Gamma of 0.05 and 10 point move in crude prices: 10 * 0.05 = 0.5 per barrel). This translated to delta of 500 per lot of long straddle.
To remain delta neutral, trader needs to sell 5 contracts of CME Micro WTI to balance the increased delta. As a result, the overall position now consists of:
• Long 1 x ATM call option with a strike price of USD 70, with expiry 14/June (LON24).
• Long 1 x ATM put option with a strike price of USD 70, with expiry 14/June (LON24).
• Short 5 x Micro WTI futures contract (MCLN2024) which provides exposure to 500 barrels of oil at USD 80/barrel.
Step 3: Harvesting Gains via Dynamic Hedging when Crude Prices Fall
Imagine crude oil prices fall to USD 70/barrel, new delta is -0.5 per barrel and -500 per lot of long straddle. To remain delta neutral, the trader needs to buy five lots of CME Micro WTI futures to neutralize delta once more. This results in a profit of USD 5,000 (sell at 80 and buy back at 70 per barrel; each lot of CME Micro WTI futures represents 100 barrels).
Overall position now consists of:
• Long 1 x ATM call option with a strike price of USD 70, with expiry 14/June (LON24).
• Long 1 x ATM put option with a strike price of USD 70, with expiry 14/June (LON24).
This trade can be executed multiple times repeating the same steps as above. If crude oil trades down to being with, neutralising delta would involve buying lower and then selling higher when prices recover.
SALIENT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN GAMMA SCALPING
Upfront Premiums: Long straddle requires an up-front cost. Gamma scalping will need to be executed multiple times to break even and recover the premiums. Up-front premium implies fixed downside with a well-defined maximum loss.
Dynamic Hedging: Gamma scalping requires continuous monitoring and adjusting of positions.
Time Decay: Options should be selected with sufficiently large days-to-expiry to minimize effect of time decay. Time decay of the option rise sharply closer to expiration massively shrinking the value of the long straddle.
Long Volatility: High gamma benefits from high volatility. The strategy should be utilized when volatility is expected to rise or remain high.
At Expiry: The options legs may expire at a net loss and require scalping to break-even. Example payoff analysis for different settlement prices for crude oil at expiry:
1. Settles at USD 60/barrel: The put option is US 10 in-the-money and the call option is worthless. Options P&L = USD (10 – (6+6)) x 1000 = Loss of USD 2000. Gamma scalping must have generated more than USD 2,000 to offset this potential loss.
2. Settles at USD 75/barrel: The call option expires worthless and the put option is USD 5 in-the-money. Loss of USD 7,000. Gamma scalping must generate at least USD 7,000 to break-even.
3. Settles at USD 70/barrel: The call and the put option both expire worthless; the entire up-front premium of USD 12,000 results in a loss. To break-even gamma scalping must generate at least USD 12,000.
MARKET DATA
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Crude oil 4H Symetrical triangle, breakout of a down channelOn this 4H chart for Crude oil you can notice that the price has been moving in a very obvious down trend channel for a while. Recently the price broke out of it and started consolidating above the down tren resistance ( now a support ). In the proces the price formed a symetrical triangle. It is important to observe this triangle in the following hours as it can provide a breakout.
Usually, when having a symetriacal triangle, it's better for the pattern to break in the direction of the movement that lead into it. If you observe the first green line, you will notice that this was an increase. If the pattern produces a Buy entry, this will also align with the breakout from this down trend channel.
If the price starts increasing, it can encounter the first resistance around 75.80 - 76, this is the current major high point. If the price manages to surpass it, this will create a new bullish market structure and it can set the for a new bullish trend.
The price can also correct from it. If it does, it can retrace to around 73 - 74 before getting the chance to bounce to the up side again.
The development in the following days will be important not only for this setup, but possibly for the next 2 - 3 weeks. If the price breaks above the 76, the new bullish market structure can send it on an up trend. If the price breaks bellow the triangle and it goes back in the channel, then it can continue on a down trend.
Crude oil could rally from $72Price action has been very choppy on the daily crude oil chart, but if we place a line chart over the top is shows prices are trying to break out of a small triangle / pennant. Whilst these are usually expected to be continuation pattern, they can also make decent reversal pattern. And this case, we've see prices hold above $70 on a closing basis, and the lower candle wicks made a series of higher lows. Momentum is now turning higher.
Bulls could seek dips down to $72 (yesterday's low) or a break of its high, with an upside target around $78, near the 200-day MA and 100-day EMA.
USOIL Trading IdeaBased on Simple Technical Analysis ( Trendline + Support & Resistance )
Risk Disclaimer:
Please be advised that I am not telling anyone how to spend or invest their money. Take all of my analysis as my own opinion, as entertainment, and at your own risk. I assume no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this page, and they are for educational purposes only. Any action you take on the information in these analysis is strictly at your own risk. There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading. Past results are not indicative of future returns. Good luck :-)
#202405 - a weekly price action market recap and outlook - oilGood evening and i hope you are well.
wti crude oil
Here my commentary from last week:
If you have read the gold one, this one is self explanatory i think. Market is compressing prices and will soon break out. Which direction? Guess. Your’s is as good as mine. I won’t say more about it. Breakout will come soon, so if you haven’t played the range so far, you should not start now because the odds of a breakout rise daily.
The bulls got their big breakout and we made 465 points last week. The next obvious target is 80 where i expect sideways movement. I also don’t think we can get there without a pullback first. Target for that pb is around 76.5 - 77. We can also just trade sideways in a tighter range but i think a retest of the 2023-12 high is an obvious magnet.
Bull case: Clear breakout of the triangle and they want a measured move up to 84. First more reachable target is the 50% pullback from the big bear trend which started 2023-10 and that is around 79 and where i expect more sideways trading. If bulls can keep this above the daily 20ema, i expect they will go for the measured move target of the triangle which we broke out of, to around 84.
Bear case: They see this as a leg inside a trading range 68 - 80 and there are 2 potential bull channels and we are at the top of both. Bears want a strong reversal and trading back to the tight bull channel bottom at around 76. They also see 3 clear pushes up inside that channel and have reasonable arguments to short up here and make bulls want to take profits.
outlook last week: “neutral (means sideways)” → bad outlook, since we got a big bull breakout
short term: sideways to down for a pullback but market is clearly always in long for now. so pullbacks will fail and we trade higher to at least 79.5 or 80.
medium-long term: odds for higher prices (up until maybe 90) raised significantly but i want to see market trading above 80 first. above 80 i turn full bull for 90 or higher.
CRUDE OIL BULISH STRUCTURE FORMATIONcrude oil last trading week completed its bullish structure, thus indicating the potential for price to exceed $90 in the coming days. The market has witnessed the formation of a bullish structure characterised by higher-low and higher-high, signifying a positive momentum in the oil market.
N.B!
- USOIL price might not follow drawn lines . Actual price movement may likely differ from the forecast.
- Let emotions and sentiments work for you
- ALWAYS Use Proper Risk Management In Your Trades
#usoil
#crudeoil
#wti
#brentoil
WITH BULLISH STRUCTURE ESTABLISHED, BRENT OIL TO RISE ABOVE $90Brent oil last trading week completed its bullish structure, and thus indicating the potential for price to exceed $90 in the coming days. The market has witnessed the formation of a bullish structure characterised by higher-low and higher-high, signifying a positive momentum in the oil market.
N.B!
- UKOIL price might not follow drawn lines . Actual price movement may likely differ from the forecast.
- Let emotions and sentiments work for you
- ALWAYS Use Proper Risk Management In Your Trades
#usoil
#crudeoil
#wti
#brentoil
Crude oil back about $96 a barrel With the slowing of oil production
and conflict at the Nile, I think that oil prices are
going to increase, if the fed decides to cut or leave interest rates unchanged
this may weaken the USD and strengthen other currencies creating more demand for oil
and if inventory continues to lessen you will see a further surge in oil prices.
otherwise, if the fed raises interest rates next week and productions issues come to resolve
oil prices will begin to drop and I will update this post with a bearish Analysis.
a daily price action after hour update - wti crude oilGood evening and i hope you are well.
Here is a quote from my substack on Monday about oil:
"Most interesting market today. I do believe its a breakout of the bear channel, beginning 2023-09, if bulls can generate follow through tomorrow/Wednesday. The trend line on higher time frames is more of an area than a narrow line with exact prices. But we are there and had a strong bull day. This could be leg 2 of a 3 legged move and a measured move target could bring us to around 80 again. That would certainly make a whole lot of bears cover and fuel the rally probably further. I’d be very cautious with shorts here and look for strength.
short term: sideways to up"
Being prepared pays. Daily close above 75 and market is accelerating. 80 is my next target but i don’t think we get there without a pullback first. PB could be deep to the lower bull wedge around 75.5 but if we get there, the odds that it holds are excellent.
short term: very short term, sideways to down but ultimately bullish for target 80. from there i wait for market to show new impulse.
medium-long term: up
trade of the day: that 1h 20ema held since Wednesday before us open. look for longs.
USOIL. will continue range trade?#USOIL.. market is in range from last 4 to 5 weeks.
The reason is market have upside strong resistance.
If it will continue his range trading then again drop expected from here.
Otherwise if market clear upside then upside areas also mentioned.
Trade wisely
Good luck
Crude oil is a buy with S/L 70.00The entry prices for long position at 71.80 and 70.60 offer attractive entry points near support levels. A stop-loss at 70 provides a good risk management buffer, limiting potential losses if the trade turns against us. The target prices at 73 and 75 represent potential profit levels based on technical analysis.
CRUDE OIL (WTI) Bearish Move From Key Level 🛢️
WTI Crude Oil formed a double top pattern after a test of a strong horizontal resistance.
Its neckline breakout is a strong bearish confirmation.
We can anticipate a retracement at least to 73.0 level now.
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Light Crde Oil ( CL1!, US Oil ).... BULLISHAs I mentioned in the Weekly Outlook video, I expected the fair value gap + the bullish breaker block to hold price, and provide support for a potential rally. It chopped since Tuesday, but we've seen the bulls come in and slowly start to move price higher.
I expect that price will continue that move today.
I am looking for price to pullback a bit, after taking the yesterday's high. I should pullback halfway into Thur's candle, and push higher towards the highlighted draw on LQ (red line).
If it doesn't happen today, then I look towards the beginning of next week for it to play out.
May profits be upon you.