Oil Prices Climb on Inventory DrawdownOil prices edged higher on July 3rd, 2024, buoyed by signs of a significant decline in U.S. crude oil stockpiles. Brent crude, the benchmark for international oil prices, for September settlement rose 0.1% to $86.34 a barrel by 10:21 AM in London. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the U.S. oil benchmark for August delivery, inched up to $82.88 a barrel.
This price increase comes amidst a wider risk-on sentiment in the global financial markets. Equity markets, including the S&P 500, have been reaching record highs, and this optimism appears to be spilling over into the oil market.
Inventory Drawdown: A Cause for Optimism
The primary driver behind the oil price increase is a report from the American Petroleum Institute (API) indicating a substantial drawdown in U.S. crude oil inventories. According to sources familiar with the data, crude inventories fell by a significant 9.2 million barrels last week. If confirmed by the official figures released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) later this week, this would mark the largest single-week decline in stockpiles since January 2024.
A decline in stockpiles indicates a tightening of supply, which can lead to higher prices. This is because crude oil is a fungible commodity, meaning a barrel of oil from one source is generally equivalent to a barrel from another. So, if stockpiles decline in the United States, it can impact global supply and drive prices up.
Geopolitical Tensions and Summer Driving Season Lend Support
Apart from the inventory drawdown, several other factors are contributing to the current oil price rally. Geopolitical tensions remain elevated around the world, particularly in the Middle East. The ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, along with potential upcoming elections in France and the UK, are keeping investors on edge. Disruptions to oil supplies from these regions could significantly impact prices.
Summer is typically a season of increased demand for gasoline due to vacation travel. While the API report also indicated a decline in gasoline stockpiles, concerns linger about weak U.S. gasoline demand, which could temper the current price uptick.
Looking Ahead: Factors to Consider
The oil market remains susceptible to several factors that could influence prices in the coming weeks and months. Here are some key elements to keep an eye on:
• Confirmation of API Inventory Data: Official confirmation from the EIA regarding the inventory drawdown will be crucial. If the data is validated, it will solidify the current bullish sentiment in the market.
• Global Economic Growth: The health of the global economy, particularly major oil-consuming countries like China, will significantly impact demand. A strong global economic recovery will likely lead to higher oil demand and consequently, higher prices.
• The Upcoming Hurricane Season: The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1st, 2024. If major hurricanes disrupt oil production facilities or shipping routes in the Gulf of Mexico, it could lead to price spikes.
• Geopolitical Developments: Any escalation of geopolitical tensions in major oil-producing regions like the Middle East could lead to supply disruptions and price increases.
Overall, the recent oil price increase is a result of a confluence of factors, including a potential decline in U.S. crude oil inventories, a risk-on sentiment in the financial markets, and ongoing geopolitical tensions. While some headwinds exist, such as concerns about weak U.S. gasoline demand, the near-term outlook for oil prices appears cautiously optimistic.
In conclusion, the oil market is currently in a state of flux. While several factors currently support higher prices, the path forward remains uncertain. Close monitoring of inventory data, global economic indicators, geopolitical developments, and the Atlantic hurricane season will be crucial for understanding how oil prices will behave in the coming months.
Wticrude
WTI Crude Oil - 4H Still BullishWTI Crude Oil shows promising bullish momentum as it consolidates above a key static support zone, indicating potential for further gains. The price action demonstrates two major bullish legs, with the current position in the middle of the second major leg, suggesting continued upward movement.
Additionally, the presence of a second minor leg forming suggests that the bullish momentum might lead to a breakout, propelling prices to higher targets. Traders should monitor the minor leg’s completion and potential further advances in the price of oil, taking advantage of the bullish trend.
WTI Crude Oil (USOIL) 1-hour chart - SELLThe market is currently in an uptrend with higher highs and higher lows.
Recent price action suggests a potential reversal or pullback from the resistance zone.
Resistance Zone: The shaded grey area around 82.127 - 82.220 is a significant resistance zone where the price has shown rejection.
Support Levels: Immediate support is around 80.473 - 80.417, marked by the red lines. A stronger support level is at 77.000, a psychological round number that aligns with previous lows.
Above the resistance zone at 82.220, there may be buy-side liquidity where buy stops from short positions could be placed.
Below the support level at 80.417, there may be sell-side liquidity where sell stops from long positions could be resting.
The overall analysis suggests a bearish bias for USOIL (WTI), expecting a potential reversal or pullback from the resistance zone around 82.127 - 82.220.
WTI support continues to attract buyers.WTI - 24h expiry
Bespoke support is located at 80.70.
Offers ample risk/reward to buy at the market.
Our short term bias remains positive.
50 4hour EMA is at 80.73.
80.59 has been pivotal.
We look to Buy at 80.75 (stop at 79.95)
Our profit targets will be 82.75 and 83.25
Resistance: 81.50 / 82.24 / 83.00
Support: 80.50 / 79.50 / 79.00
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The trade ideas beyond this page are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice or a solicitation to trade. This information is provided by Signal Centre, a third-party unaffiliated with OANDA, and is intended for general circulation only. OANDA does not guarantee the accuracy of this information and assumes no responsibilities for the information provided by the third party. The information does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any particular person. You should take into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation, and particular needs before making a commitment to trade, including seeking advice from an independent financial adviser regarding the suitability of the investment, under a separate engagement, as you deem fit.
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WTI Crude Oil: Geopolitical Tensions and Technical SignalThe US crude oil benchmark, is trading near $82.00 on Monday. This modest uptick is driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and expectations of increased oil demand during the summer season.
Geopolitical Tensions and Market Impact
The prospect of a broader conflict in the Middle East, which could threaten crude oil supplies from the region, is fueling the rise in WTI prices. The UN Secretary-General’s statement on Sunday, warning that a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah would be disastrous, has further intensified these concerns.
Technical Analysis: Signs of a Possible Retracement
Technically, there are signs that WTI might experience a price retracement. The current levels suggest a potential pullback to the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement within a bearish channel, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicating overbought conditions. This setup hints at a possible near-term correction before any further upward movement.
Outlook
In conclusion, while geopolitical tensions and seasonal demand are bolstering WTI crude oil prices, technical indicators suggest a potential retracement. Market participants should remain vigilant, watching for price movements around the 61.8% Fibonacci level and the behavior of the RSI in the coming sessions.
A slick move in crude - black gold has the wind to its backThe oil market has the wind to its back as we head into the Northern Hemisphere Summer, with WTI crude having rallied 13% since the 4 June lows. The rally from $72 has seen price retrace a decent portion of the falls seen between April and June - which resulted in the market running one of the most bearish positions we’ve seen in years. Clearly, the demand side of the equation has seen that positioning challenged, and along with a punchy 8.8m barrel draw in the weekly inventory report, has resulted in a strong push higher in price. Given we’re now seeing price trending, amid building momentum, there are signs that systematic players (CTAs) are chasing this move above $81 higher and therefore strength begets strength. Given the still low positioning, and deeply backwardated crude futures curve that really incentivizes oil traders to be long the front-month WTI crude futures for the carry (upon expiration), the near-term signs look positive for crude, where pullbacks should offer opportunity and we’d be looking for a push into $85, perhaps even to revisit the highs seen in April of $87.63.
Looking to sell WTI crude (USOUSD) … the week of 17 June, 2024Often times, the 200dma is a great dynamic support and resistance. See how effective it has been for the past 6 weeks as resistance as multiple attempts were made by the bulls. The up trendline was broken recently and last week it was re-tested from below. The round number 80.00 and the fact that long-term we are in a downtrend are all factors of confluence. There are so many reasons supporting a sell but the short-term trend is bullish.
I want to see some bearish evidence before committing to a trade.
A bullish continuation past the 80.00 level and the 200dma will negate my analysis.
As you can see, this has the potential to be a +5R trade. Staying patient and allowing for market to make its moves will be required.
This is not a trade recommendation.
Trading carries a high level of risk, so only trade with money you can afford to lose. Anything can happen in the markets at any time. Please use sound money and risk management in all your trades.
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Crude oil eyes $80, but resistance loomsWTI is on track for a bullish engulfing week to snap a 3-week losing streak. And as it fell over 17% from the April high, it could pave the way for further gains in the coming weeks. However, there are plenty of resistance levels around the $80 that could spur bears from the side lines.
The May VPOC and VAH sit around Wednesday's high, and the monthly R1 and weekly R2 near the May high. So whilst another crack at $80 seems more likely than note, the $80 area could be an interesting area to fade into.
Strong support sits around $75.50, making it a viable target for bears and area for bulls to reconsider entering for an anticipated move above $80.
WTI Oil - 4H Sell OpportunityThe WTI Oil chart shows a compelling setup for a short position. The price has rallied into a significant resistance zone around $79, coinciding with a strong downward trend line that has been respected multiple times. This area acts as a confluence of resistance, providing a high-probability entry for selling.
Given the persistent bearish trend, this resistance zone is likely to hold, reinforcing the potential for a downward move. The chart indicates that selling WTI Oil at this juncture offers a good risk-to-reward opportunity, aiming for a decline towards lower support levels as shown by the red arrows.
USOIL is Under PressureWTI crude oil futures are experiencing a downturn, currently priced at $79.37 per barrel, marking a 0.48% decrease. This decline is attributed to the global economic challenges that are negatively impacting the demand forecast. Similarly, Brent crude has seen a reduction in price, now at $83.88 per barrel.
The economic recovery in China is progressing slower than expected, and the anticipation of additional interest rate hikes is exacerbating concerns over economic growth, exerting further downward pressure on oil prices.
In the United States, crude oil inventories have witnessed an increase of 3.4 million barrels in the previous week, contributing to the existing oversupply. The persistent risk of a recession continues to place significant stress on the oil market.
Meanwhile, amidst these market conditions, option sentiment from the CME exchange suggests a robust support level at $75 for WTI futures in the nearest expiration series. This sentiment indicates a strong market belief that prices are unlikely to fall below this threshold, providing a measure of stability despite the current market volatility.
For investors and market watchers, these indicators from the options market are a critical piece of the puzzle, offering insights into future price movements and trader expectations.
OIL (WTI) - 4H Three PushThe WTI Oil 4H chart displays a classic bullish reversal pattern, often referred to as the "three pushes" or "three drives" pattern. This pattern is characterized by three distinct attempts by the market to push lower, each attempt being met with increasing buying interest. The current setup shows that after three downward pushes, the price has started to rebound, indicating a potential shift in momentum from bearish to bullish.
The price action has recently broken above the upper boundary of the descending wedge, which suggests a weakening bearish trend and the possibility of a new bullish phase. The target for this bullish movement could be around the $84 level, where previous resistance lies. Traders should watch for continued higher highs and higher lows to confirm the upward trajectory, and consider long positions as the price action aligns with this bullish reversal signal.
Crude Oil: Long Position Amidst Support and SeasonalityWe are considering a long position on crude oil, given that the price has reached a significant support area. This support level is reinforced by a divergence observed on the Relative Strength Index (RSI), suggesting a potential reversal in the current trend. Additionally, seasonality data supports the likelihood of a bullish movement during this period.
The convergence of these technical indicators and historical trends strengthens our conviction for a long setup. The RSI divergence indicates that the recent downward momentum may be waning, while the support area provides a strong foundation for a potential price rebound. Furthermore, seasonality data, which highlights recurring patterns in price behavior during specific times of the year, suggests that crude oil prices are poised for an upward movement.
In light of these factors, we are looking to establish a long position on crude oil, capitalizing on the technical setup and historical data that align to suggest a favorable entry point for a bullish trade.
CRUDE OIL (CLN2024, USOIL, WTI)... BEARISH!Bias is Bullish.
Daily TF shows 2 weeks of
consolidation supported by a Daily
+FVG. Friday finally saw a "BO" as price
traded through the swing high with
a close above it. Note that price is
now inside the a Daily -FVG.
Potential for a bearish reaction? Yes.
However, I believe it will be short term
if anything.
The 4H gives more detail.
One can see bullish structure in
place that will support a move higher,
potentially to to test 80.21.
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OIL (WTI) - 4H Sell SetupIn the past hours, OIL (WTI) experienced a sharp rise driven by news of Iran's president's death, which significantly impacted market sentiment.
This surge allowed OIL to break above the bearish channel and catch the liquidity over the resistance zone, as illustrated on the chart.
However, despite this upward spike, the price action suggests that OIL may continue its downward trajectory within the descending channel.
Traders should monitor this closely as the price looks set to resume its fall, adhering to the prevailing bearish trend.
The liquidity hunting above the resistance zone indicates potential for further declines as the market reverts to its established downward path.
USOIL enjoys relief but has an uneasy path ahead of itWest Texas Intermediate crude oil trades near $79.80 per barrel, which happens to be slightly below the 20-day SMA and the lower bound of the ascending channel. A breakout above the moving average will bolster a bullish case for oil in the short term, especially if the price closes above the 20-day SMA for multiple consecutive days; the same applies to a breakout above the channel’s lower bound. Once the 20-day SMA is broken, $80.44 and $82.25 are important resistance levels to watch out for. However, a rejection at the moving average and channel’s bound will be somewhat concerning, potentially foreshadowing further stagnation around the current price or return of weakness.
Illustration 1.01
Illustration 1.01 displays simple support and resistance levels derived from past peaks and troughs.
Illustration 1.02
The daily MACD of USOIL is shown above. The yellow arrow indicates a bullish crossover between the MACD line and the signal line. However, it is important to emphasize that MACD is still within the bearish area below the midpoint.
Technical conditions
Daily time frame = Bullish
Weekly time frame = Neutral
Monthly time frame = Neutral
Please feel free to express your ideas and thoughts in the comment section.
DISCLAIMER: This analysis is not intended to encourage any buying or selling of any particular securities. Furthermore, it should not be a basis for taking any trade action by an individual investor or any other entity. Therefore, your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.
USOIL Short-Term Outlook: Why We're BearishWe're looking at the USOIL market and our analysis shows signs of a short-term downtrend. Here's why:
COT Reports: The latest Commitment of Traders (COT) reports reveal that the behavior of participants labeled as "Commercials" is most characteristic of a bear market.
CFD Market Positioning: Oil traders in the CFD market are shifting their positions, with most now long. This could trigger a wave of stop-losses, further pushing prices down.
Options Analysis: Real options portfolios on the CME exchange suggest that strategies like Bear Put Spreads are gaining popularity. These portfolios are targeting a price of around $70 per barrel.
Taking these factors into account, we believe the short-term outlook for USOIL is bearish.
What do you think of the market? Share your thoughts in the comments!
WTI Pump loading WTI is following my main ideas and it showing us a good bullish pattern that I really like. We can see a strong divergence on multiple timeframe, a break above main trendline, and it's giving us enough time to accumulate longs at a strong support zone. My first target is the same as previous ideas
Crude Oil: Potential Bullish ShiftOn 4h timeframe, WTI Crude Oil is printing a falling wedge pattern followed by Bearish Divergence on RSI. Potential Reversal Zone is predicted using the AB=CD pattern.
TRADE PLAN
Buy on breakout on previous Lower High.
Stop Loss on previous Lower Low
TP1, TP2 with RRR of 1:1 and 1:2 respectively