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WTI Crude Oil 6 Month Spread SyntheticWW

WTI Crude Oil 6 Month Spread Synthetic

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Trump’s National Energy Emergency Aims to Press Oil Prices LowerWhat goes up eventually comes down. This is even more true for oil prices amid a range of forces at play. The recent rally has been popped by significant headwinds facing crude oil prices. WTI Crude Oil (“WTI) has trended down sharply amid sluggish demand and a surplus in supply. Global oil consumption has remained tepid, with China's economic recovery slower than expected and U.S. fuel demand showing seasonal weakness. WTI prices rallied sharply higher from mid-Dec until mid-Jan, driven by optimism over Chinese demand rebound expectations in 2025. Adding to that was the Biden administration’s tightening of sanctions on Russian crude, targeting producers and over 180 vessels transporting 1.7 million bpd (~25% of Russia’s exports). WTI optimism quickly faded as Trump took office on 20/Jan. He signed an executive order to boost oil & gas production, removing barriers and reversing Biden’s climate policies. Since then, WTI prices have pulled back 7.74%. Declaring a national energy emergency , Trump introduced measures to fast-track energy infrastructure and regulatory approvals, aiming to lower costs & increase energy independence. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump called on OPEC, particularly Saudi Arabia, to increase production and lower crude prices, triggering a fifth straight session of losses for WTI. Source: EIA The only tailwind to WTI prices amid all this oil gloom was the decline in crude inventories for the ninth consecutive week. The EIA reported a 1-million-barrel drop for the week ending 17/Jan, though it fell short of analysts’ 2.1-million-barrel forecast . EIA FORECASTS WTI PRICES TO TREND DOWN EIA in its latest STEO estimates WTI prices to fall throughout 2025 and 2026 on expectations of rising supply. Source: EIA STEO WTI prices are expected to average USD 70.31/barrel in 2025 & USD 62.46/barrel in 2026. The EIA expects OPEC+ to maintain production cuts to counter rising non-OPEC supply. Lower prices are likely to curb U.S. drilling activity and investment, resulting in only a modest production increase in 2026. After hitting a record 13.2 million bpd in 2024, U.S. crude output is projected to rise to 13.5 million bpd in 2025 and grow by less than 1% in 2026, averaging 13.6 million bpd as price pressures slow activity. This hints that Trump may have limited influence over U.S. production, as price remains the key driver. According to the Dallas Fed Energy Survey , U.S. oil firms need an average oil price of USD 64/barrel to drill profitably. TECHNICAL INDICATORS SIGNAL POTENTIAL BEARISH TREND ON THE HORIZON WTI crude oil futures have fallen sharply since 16/Jan. Along with it, the gap between the 9-day and 21-day moving averages has narrowed. The 9-day MA, which formed a golden cross on 13/Dec, now hints at a potential trend shift. On 21/Jan, prices closed below the 9-day MA and are now near the 21-day MA, signalling a waning bullish trend. WTI prices started the week above the monthly R2 resistance level but has since fallen below it. RSI began declining on 15/Jan after entering the overbought zone and dropped below its RSI-based moving average on 16/Jan. The MACD signalled weakening bullish momentum since 16/Jan, confirming a trend reversal and the start of a bearish trend on 23/Jan. COMMITMENT OF TRADERS For the week ending 14/Jan, managed money’s net long positioning in WTI crude oil (futures & options) fell 6.4% WoW, ending four weeks of sequential gains. Short positions surged 19.8% to 47,252 lots, while long positions declined 2.7% to 277,944 lots. Source: CME QuikStrike Scaling back of net long positions by managed money may be a signal of bearish expectations ahead. HYPOTHETICAL TRADE SETUP Trump’s push for lower crude prices will intensify downward pressure on WTI in an oversupplied market. Threats of tariffs further risk dampening global trade, delaying an oil demand recovery. Do not write off the likelihood of a shock serving as a tailwind to oil prices. For now, pressure remains on oil prices to cool off in the near term, with ample forces pushing them lower. Portfolio Managers and Traders can express this bearish view on WTI prices using CME Micro WTI Crude Oil Futures. CME Micro WTI Crude Oil Futures offer the same exposure to crude oil price movements as standard WTI futures, but at 1/10th the contract size, making them more accessible while creating alternatives for granular hedging. This paper posits a short position in CME Micro WTI Crude Oil Futures (Mar 2025) expiring on 19/Feb (MCLH2025) with the following trade setup: • Entry: 75.60/barrel • Target: 71.50/barrel • Stop: 77.00/barrel • P&L at Target (per lot): +410 ((75.60 – 71.50) x 100) • P&L at Stop (per lot): -140 ((75.60 – 77.00) x 100) • Reward-to-Risk Ratio: 2.9x CME Group has made a raft of products covering a range of asset classes more accessible while also enabling granular hedging for portfolio managers. Portfolio managers can learn more on how to access these micro products by visiting CME Micro Products page on CME portal to discover micro-sized contracts to gain macro exposures. TradingView will be launching The Leap starting on 3rd February 2025. New and upcoming traders could hone and refine their trading skills, test their trading strategies, and feel the thrill of futures trading with a vibrant global community through this paper trading competition sponsored by CME Group. Click here to learn more. MARKET DATA CME Real-time Market Data helps identify trading set-ups and express market views better. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs tradingview.com/cme . DISCLAIMER This case study is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services. Trading or investment ideas cited here are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management or trading under the market scenarios being discussed. Please read the FULL DISCLAIMER the link to which is provided in our profile description.
NShort
by mintdotfinance
6
Light Crude Oil Bullish Bias: Market Sentiment for Retail As of February 4, 2025, light crude oil prices have been exhibiting an upward trend, influenced by various market dynamics. Current Market Sentiment: Supply Constraints: OPEC+ is expected to maintain its current plan of gradually increasing oil production starting in April, despite pressures to reduce prices. REUTERS.COM Demand Projections: The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that global oil consumption will rise from 840,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2024 to 1.1 million bpd in 2025, reaching a total of 103.9 million bpd. IEA.ORG Geopolitical Factors: Recent U.S. tariffs on major trading partners, including Canada and Mexico, have introduced market uncertainties. These actions could potentially slow U.S. economic growth and increase inflation, factors that may influence oil prices. FT.COM Considerations for Retail Traders: While the current sentiment leans bullish due to supply constraints and projected demand growth, it's essential to remain cautious. Geopolitical developments and policy changes can rapidly alter market conditions. As a retail trader, it's advisable to monitor these factors closely and employ prudent risk management strategies when considering positions in light crude oil. Note: This analysis is based on information available as of February 4, 2025. Market conditions are subject to change, and it's important to stay updated with the latest data and news.
NLong
by jshafx
CL Trade Idea: Key Levels & Strategies Amid VolatilityNYMEX:CL1! With Trade War 2.0 unfolding, managing risk in futures trading is more crucial than ever. One way to mitigate risk is by utilizing micro CME contracts , allowing for more precise risk management during volatile market conditions. Additionally, you can participate in the CME and TradingView paper trading competition, giving you the opportunity to test your skills in The Leap without risking real money. Crude Oil Futures: It’s the start of a new month. We saw our last week’s idea “scenario 1” partially play out before prices pulled back higher towards our neutral LIS. As mentioned above, it is our opinion that current situations and macro news may result in heightened volatility, so it is important to trade what you see and not what you think. Do not get fixated on your view on the market. Be ready to shift and adapt as the markets evolve on the hard right edge. Instead of recapping and presenting a macro update today, we will shift our focus on the charts. Looking purely at price, time, volume, and key levels to create a plan for the week. Key Levels to Watch Key levels represent areas of interest and zones of active market participation. The more significant a key level, the closer we monitor it for potential reactions and trade setups in alignment with our trading plan. Micro Composite Value Area High (mCVAH) January 2025 : 76.00 January 2025 mid- range: 74.96 February Monthly Open: 74.14 Micro Composite Value Area Low (mCVAL) January 2025 : 71.82 Yearly Open: 70.52 2024 Mid- Range: 70.40 Scenario 1: Rejection confirmation at January 2025 Mid Price has attempted to push above January 2025 mid and was rejected. This was a key level of interest to validate longs in our last week’s trade plan. Rejection of this level and price now below monthly open. There is room for prices to shift lower towards mcVAL Jan 2025 and test of key bull support at yearly open and 2024 mid range. Scenario 2: mcVAL 2025 to act as intermediate support If we see this level hold, in our opinion, Crude oil may be establishing a new range capped within mcVAH and mcVAL Jan 2025 until we see a break of either side. That said, intra day volatility may increase with headline news impacting prices. As always it is paramount to manage your risk as losses are an inherent part of trading. What are you focusing on amid all the headline news? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
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by EdgeClear
Oil set to rise as geopolitical tensions and tariffs reshape- Key Insights: Crude oil is displaying a bullish signal after prior declines, with increasing volatility suggesting watchfulness for investors. The key resistance level at $73.79 needs to be breached for a sustained upward trend, while the support at $71.51 provides critical downside protection. - Price Targets: Next week targets: T1: $75.50 T2: $78.00 Stop levels: S1: $72.00 S2: $70.00 - Recent Performance: Crude oil has shown resilience, overcoming previous downturns and demonstrating late bullish activity. The market reacted sharply to news, swinging prices upwards over 3%, confirming sensitivity to external factors. - Expert Analysis: Experts expect crude oil prices to respond positively to geopolitical events, especially with tariffs that could limit supply to the U.S. Traders should be mindful of correlated movements in broader commodity markets, suggesting a favorable environment for oil if it remains above key technical levels. - News Impact: The market faces significant challenges due to a recently imposed 25% tariff on oil imports from Canada and Mexico, expected to constrain supply availability in the U.S. This situation heightens the potential for price increases amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, making it imperative for investors to adapt strategies accordingly.
NLong
by CrowdWisdomTrading
Leap Ahead with a Regression Breakout on Crude OilThe Leap Trading Competition: Your Chance to Shine TradingView’s “The Leap” Trading Competition presents a unique opportunity for traders to put their futures trading skills to the test. This competition allows participants to trade select CME Group futures contracts, including Crude Oil (CL) and Micro Crude Oil (MCL), giving traders access to one of the most actively traded commodities in the world. Register and compete in "The Leap" here: TradingView Competition Registration . This article breaks down a structured trade idea using linear regression breakouts, Fibonacci retracements, and UnFilled Orders (UFOs) to identify a long setup in Crude Oil Futures. Hopefully, this structured approach aligns with the competition’s requirements and gives traders a strong trade plan to consider. Best of luck to all participants. Spotting the Opportunity: A Regression Breakout in CL Futures Trend reversals often present strong trading opportunities. One way to detect these shifts is by analyzing linear regression channels—a statistical tool that identifies the general price trend over a set period. In this case, a 4-hour CL chart shows that price has violated the upper boundary of a downward-sloping regression channel, suggesting the potential start of an uptrend. When such a breakout aligns with key Fibonacci retracement levels and existing UnFilled Orders (UFOs), traders may gain a potential extra edge in executing a structured trade plan. The Trade Setup: Combining Fibonacci and a Regression Channel This trade plan incorporates multiple factors to define an entry, stop loss, and target: o Entry Zone: An entry or pullback to the 50%-61.8% Fibonacci retracement area, between 74.60 and 73.14, provides a reasonable long entry. o Stop Loss: Placed below 73.14 to ensure a minimum 3:1 reward-to-risk ratio. o Profit-Taking Strategy: First target at 76.05 (38.2% Fibonacci level) Second target at 77.86 (23.6% Fibonacci level) Final target at 78.71, aligning with a key UFO resistance level This approach locks in profits along the way while allowing traders to capitalize on an extended move toward the final resistance zone. Contract Specifications and Margin Considerations Understanding contract specifications and margin requirements is essential when trading futures. Below are the key details for CL and MCL: o Crude Oil Futures (CL) Contract Details Full contract specs: CL Contract Specifications – CME Group Tick size: 0.01 per barrel ($10 per tick) Margin requirements vary based on market conditions and broker requirements. Currently set around $5,800. o Micro WTI Crude Oil Futures (MCL) Contract Details Full contract specs: MCL Contract Specifications – CME Group Tick size: 0.01 per barrel ($1 per tick) Lower margin requirements for more flexible risk control. Currently set around $580. Choosing between CL and MCL depends on risk tolerance and account size. MCL provides more flexibility for smaller accounts, while CL offers higher liquidity and contract value. Execution and Market Conditions To maximize trade efficiency, conservative traders could wait for a proper price action into the entry zone and confirm the setup using momentum indicators and/or volume trends.   Key Considerations Before Entering Ensure price reaches the 50%-61.8% Fibonacci retracement zone before executing the trade Look for confirmation signals such as increased volume, candlestick formations, or additional support zones Be patient—forcing a trade without confirmation increases risk exposure Final Thoughts This Crude Oil Futures trade setup integrates multiple confluences—a regression breakout, Fibonacci retracements, and UFO resistance—to create a structured trade plan with defined risk management. For traders participating in The Leap Trading Competition, this approach emphasizes disciplined execution, dynamic risk management, and a structured scaling-out strategy, all essential components for long-term success. When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies. General Disclaimer: The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
NEducation
by traddictiv
9
#202505 - priceactiontds - weekly update - wti crude oil futuresGood Evening and I hope you are well. comment: Market is probably finding a bottom here around 72 and on the 4h chart this looks like a lower low major trend reversal. Confirmation would only be above 74 though. So any longs with stop below 71.8 are a good trade from the current structure. Bears have tried to make meaningful lower lows but the Monday low 72.39 was only broken by 47 ticks. current market cycle: trading range key levels: 71 - 80 bull case: Bulls let it go a bit below 74 but it does look like they want to buy this more aggressively, given the last 2 big bull bars from Friday. They need to make higher highs now and then I don’t think many bears want to fight this after they have tried to get the market below 71 for a whole week. The 50% retracement for the complete bull trend was around 74 and for the bear leg from 79 down to 72 is around 76. So my first target for the bulls is finding acceptance above 74 and then 76. On the weekly chart you can see than bulls kept it way above the breakout price of 69, so once we are seeing decent 1h closes above 73, they have taken control of the market again. Invalidation is below 71. bear case: Bears want to continue sideways between 71 and 74. The longer they do this, the better for them because we are still below the daily 20ema. Market has gone nowhere the past 5 days but at least the bears closed 4 out of 5 days red. Their issue is, that they can not find sellers below 72 so the market will try only so many times at a support price before it tries the other way or strongly breaks below it. I do think we will see a bigger impulse either on Monday or Tuesday and my money is not on the bears right now. Invalidation is above 75. short term: Slightly bullish until we get a 1h close above 74, then really bullish for 78/80. Bearish only below 71 and on very strong selling pressure. Neutral 71 - 74. medium-long term - Update from 2025-01-19: Triangle is dead and market is now in a proper trading range with upside to 80 or even 85. current swing trade: None chart update: Added broken bear trend line and possible very shallow bull trend lines on higher tf.
NLong
by priceactiontds
CL - It's time to make a decision about the next direction!Hi guys, we are looking into Crude Oil today! Currently the Black Gold is sitting on a very important cross road, which is it's current support area. As we know on Saturday President Donald Trump will impose tariffs over to it's neighbours Canada and Mexico. As of today Canada and Mexico, are the two countries which supply the most Oil for the U.S. , we would have an expectation that this would be bullish for the prices of Oil, which is the route that I would personally go for. But as we cannot predict the future, I have presented two options here based on the technical situation, so you can choose how to apply the strategy. Option 1: You are bullish and enter with a purchaisng trade from this level towards the previous resistance area at 79.00 Option 2: You are bearish and expect the support level to be broken and we push for the bottom support area at 67-66 and you can target that price Option 3: You can put a pending order as a sell at the area of 71.50 , to target the 67,66 price tag, or put a pending order at 73.90 to target the upper resistance level at 79.00 Your stop loss would be optimized around the support area so you can have a balanced protection over your trade. Option 3 would be the most optimized for people who are more conservative, and option 1 would be the most optimized for people who have higher Risk Tolerance. I am curious to hear out what is your opinion in the comments about this trade? As always my friends happy trading! P.S. If you have questions or inquiries about one of my existing set-ups or personal questions / 1 on 1 sessions consider joining my community so you can follow up with me in private!
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by DG55Capital
2025-01-30 - priceactiontds - daily update - oilGood Evening and I hope you are well. comment: Finally some higher highs again. Market could now transition into a wider trading range and 70 - 76 is my rough guess for now. Bulls need to keep the tiny bit momentum going tomorrow and break above the bear channel and trade above 74 again. If bears dip it below 72.6, we could very well print a lower low below 72 and the range might also expand to the downside. current market cycle: trading range key levels: 70 - 76 bull case: Bulls made the first higher high again and need follow-through badly. Above 74 the bear trend is for sure over and a trading range is most likely. Good for the bulls is, that on the daily chart we are still trading above the breakout price which was roughly 70. If they can reverse this strongly, they have a chance of retesting the highs over the next weeks. For now I think they have to be content with staying above 72 and maybe get to 74 again. Invalidation is below 70. bear case: Bears want to keep the market below the daily 20ema and prevent bulls from making meaningful higher highs above 74. The bear channel is still valid and on the daily chart the past 3 trading days look like a weak two-legged pullback to the moving average and that is usually a very good buy/sell signal in the direction of the trend. Bears want to print a new low below 72 and then testing 70. Invalidation is above 74. short term: Neutral. Bullish above 74 and bearish below 72. medium-long term - Update from 2025-01-19: Triangle is dead and market is now in a proper trading range with upside to 80 or even 85. current swing trade: Nope trade of the day: Buying below 72.4 was good since Monday.
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by priceactiontds
Crude Continued ConsolidationCrude Oil futures have had a very volatile start to the year with prices pushing above the 200-day moving average and falling back down to that level after testing the highs from May. The Crude Inventories Report released today showed a higher than expected print at 3.463M while forecasting 2.200M, which is the 5th consecutive report of worse than expected figures. Prices now are looking to re-test the 200-day moving average and traders may watch this figure to act as a catalyst either up or down for near term price action. The Crude Oil contracts range from the full sized contract at 1,000 barrels, the mini contract at 500 barrels, and the micro contract at 100 barrels giving traders the ability to choose a smaller or larger size based on their own risk tolerance. Looking at the large swings in the chart over a few week period, traders can see how wide the market swings back and forth. Having the ability to choose your size can help traders with entry, exit, and overall execution planning. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs tradingview.com/cme/ *CME Group futures are not suitable for all investors and involve the risk of loss. Copyright © 2023 CME Group Inc. **All examples in this report are hypothetical interpretations of situations and are used for explanation purposes only. The views in this report reflect solely those of the author and not necessarily those of CME Group or its affiliated institutions. This report and the information herein should not be considered investment advice or the results of actual market experience.
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by CME_Group
Crude Oil Is SandwichedPrice is currently between the white centerline and the long-term support/resistance level. Since the price is near the centerline, we're seeing a kind of pullback to it. According to the Medianline framework, this is expected after trading below it. The downside target would be the orange CL, as that aligns with the organic target. However, between the current price and the CL target, the long-term support level is quietly sitting there—possibly waiting to trap shorts. What should a trader do now? a) We could stay on the sidelines, observe, and learn. b) We could go short, reasoning that the price is trading below the white CL and has made a textbook pullback to it. My stop would be placed above the orange bar that broke through the white CL. A long position is not an option for me, as we are still below the white CL. By the way: Look to the left and notice how the current situation mirrors past price action: 1. Break below the CL 2. Retest the CL 3. Move downward
NShort
by Tr8dingN3rd
Crude Oil Trade Idea: Bounce from Support or Rally to $80?Macro Update Index futures sold off during overnight trading as market sentiment turned risk-off. Newswires reported that, after Colombia denied entry to two U.S. deportation aircraft, President Trump announced emergency tariffs of 25% on all Colombian imports, with plans to increase them to 50% next week. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal noted growing support among President Trump's advisors to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico as early as Saturday to initiate negotiations. Meanwhile, Chinese startup DeepSeek is challenging U.S. dominance in the AI sector by introducing a low-cost model rivaling OpenAI's o1. This development may intensify geopolitical and economic tensions. Adding to the unease, Chinese Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing PMIs missed expectations. Manufacturing PMI came in at 49.1, below the forecast of 50.1. Markets in China and most of Asia will remain closed starting Tuesday for the Lunar New Year holiday, which could lead to lower regional liquidity. Looking ahead, the week features several high-impact events: Wednesday, January 29: Federal Reserve interest rate decision and the first FOMC press conference of 2025. Bank of Canada interest rate decision. Thursday, January 30th: ECB interest rate decision Preliminary Q4 GDP data (QoQ). Friday, January 31st: Core PCE Price Index (Dec). Crude Oil Futures Update Our prior trade idea from January 13 played out well, with Scenario 1 materializing. While prices briefly approached $80, crude oil futures have since retreated to trade near the $74 handle. As we close out January, here’s an updated map of key levels to watch: Key Observations: On the chart, we can see a downtrend channel after the recent push higher in crude oil. Our blue zone is our LIS (73.65 - 74 zone). We see the market pulling back towards the confluence of 2024 VAH, 2024 mid range and 2025 yearly open. This is our key support for bulls to take long trade. Scenario 1: Down and Back Up Watch for a pullback toward the key confluence zone from our LIS. A bounce from this confluence zone could offer a strong opportunity for bulls to take long trades, targeting higher levels. Scenario 2: Rally Toward $80 If prices reclaim the January 2025 mid-range and confirm bullish setups, long trades targeting a move back toward monthly highs in the $80 range may develop. For risk management during volatile conditions, traders can consider Micro Crude Oil Futures . Managing risk is paramount, as losses are an inherent part of trading. This week’s data releases, geopolitical developments, and tariff announcements are likely to shape market sentiment. Stay cautious and adapt to new information as it unfolds. Risk management remains the cornerstone of success in volatile markets. Not confident to incorporate these into your trading plan? Why not incorporate our trade ideas to your trade plan in TradingView and CME’s paper trading competition; “The Leap”.
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by EdgeClear
2
Oil Cypher, decent structure. Full plan Pretty standard set up for me, I typically trade this in a much lower time frame. Procedure rarely changes, find structure, use all of the patterns and build area of interest. Using a combination of a Cypher and Lighting/1.2 for entry also a sub cypher for target. Add levels posted in chart. use boxes for stop management. 1st yellow box move stop to BE, 2nd tp1 and 3rd tp 2. I trade Oil a bit differently if anyone is wondering as far as Tp's, Feel free to use standard off the top same process. I will update this if and when time allows. Best of luck guys 2025 is going to big!! 1st entry was 3o minute Pin bar, bought open of next candle. Late and 74$ was .414 and even handle, all things I have interest in.
NLong
by Hiddenharmonicstrading
2
WTI Crude Oil Futures: The Chokers of the Global EconomyLast Friday, January 10, 2025, the United States announced its most sweeping and aggressive sanctions against Russian oil trade, just ten days before Joe Biden leaves the White House and is replaced by Donald Trump. In fact, it was more of a soap opera at first, as an unofficial document of unknown origin on the subject of sanctions had been circulating on the Web since the Fridays' morning before the official press release from the US Treasury appeared, causing the stock quotes of the companies affected by the sanctions to experience increased volatility in Friday trading on the local exchange. Finally, about 160 oil tankers were sanctioned, and India, a key buyer of seaborne barrels, will not allow ships to call at its ports after the end of the curtailment period in March. If these measures remain in place under Trump, they have a better chance of disrupting Russian oil exports than anything any Western power has done so far. In addition to the tankers, sanctions were imposed on two major producers and exporters, traders arranging hundreds of shipments were listed, major insurers were named and two U.S. oil service providers were ordered to leave. A Chinese oil terminal operator was also included. The measures could theoretically reduce what the International Energy Agency forecasts as a supply glut of nearly 1 million barrels a day this year. Brent and WTI crude futures, which have generally traded lower for the past two and a half years, ended Friday at $80, data from ICE Futures Europe and CME Group's Nymex show. Surgutneftegaz Sanctions RUS:SNGS and Gazpromneft RUS:SIBN are by far the most direct and aggressive move taken so far by Washington or any other Western power. Together, the two companies shipped about 970,000 barrels of oil per day by sea in 2024, and their inclusion on the list will be a cause for concern for refineries in India as well as state-owned companies in China. Putting their seaborne flows in context, that’s more than the global supply glut the International Energy Agency predicts for 2025. It’s also nearly 30% of Russia’s seaborne exports. No one is suggesting that either company’s shipments will be completely shut down, but the fact that they are under sanctions, as well as other measures announced, means that supply chain disruptions and supply shortages cannot be ruled out. Global markets, which were also hit by the December NFP report, reacted as expected. The Nasdaq-100 immediately fell about 1%, the U.S. dollar index TVC:DXY rocketed to the moon while the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds TVC:TNX jumped nearly 10 basis points to 4.785%, its highest since October 2023. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average - a benchmark for the global economy - ended last week lower for a sixth straight week, while Bitcoin BITSTAMP:BTCUSD Bears are already dreaming to enter a Bear Market, approaching a 20% decline from the highs of around $108,000 reached in December 2024. The technical main graph is dedicated specifically to WTI oil futures (the contract following the expiring one), and supported by the averages of the 5- and 10-year SMA. It points to the reversal of the disinflationary time span seen in the previous two and a half years, from mid-2022. // Don't say "hop" , before you throned 😏
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by PandorraResearch
2
Behind the Curtain: Economic Forces Fueling Crude Oil Futures1. Introduction Crude Oil Futures (CL), traded on the CME, are a cornerstone of global energy markets. Representing a vital benchmark for the energy sector, these futures reflect shifts in supply, demand, and macroeconomic sentiment. As both a speculative and hedging instrument, CL Futures are closely tied to economic forces shaping the global economy. In this article, we leverage machine learning insights from a Random Forest Regressor to uncover the top economic indicators influencing Crude Oil Futures across daily, weekly, and monthly timeframes. By identifying these drivers, traders can gain a data-driven perspective to navigate the dynamic crude oil market effectively. 2. Understanding Crude Oil Futures o Contract Specifications: Standard Contract: Represents 1,000 barrels of crude oil. Tick Size: Each tick is 0.01 per barrel, equating to $10 per tick per contract. Trading Hours: Nearly 24 hours, ensuring global access and liquidity. o Micro Crude Oil Contracts (MCL): Contract Size: Represents 100 barrels of crude oil, 1/10th the size of the standard CL contract. Tick Size: Each tick is 0.01 per barrel, equating to $1 per tick per contract. Purpose: Offers smaller-scale traders’ access to the crude oil market with lower capital requirements, making it ideal for those looking to hedge or test strategies. o Margins: Standard CL Contract Margin: Approximately $6,000 per contract (subject to market volatility). Micro MCL Contract Margin: Approximately $600 per contract. The combination of high liquidity, leverage, and the flexibility offered by Micro Crude Oil contracts makes CL Futures a versatile choice for a broad range of participants, from institutional investors to retail traders exploring smaller-scale strategies. 3. Daily Timeframe: Key Economic Indicators Machine learning insights reveal that the following daily indicators play a crucial role in shaping Crude Oil Futures' movements: U.S. Trade Balance: Measures the difference between exports and imports. A narrowing trade deficit signals improved economic health and potential upward pressure on oil demand, while a widening deficit may indicate weakened economic sentiment, weighing on crude prices. Unemployment Rate: Reflects labor market conditions and overall economic health. A declining unemployment rate often correlates with increased energy consumption due to stronger economic activity, boosting crude oil prices. Building Permits: Tracks new residential construction permits issued. Rising permits reflect economic confidence and can signal increased energy demand for construction activity, providing upward momentum for crude prices. 4. Weekly Timeframe: Key Economic Indicators Weekly indicators provide medium-term insights into crude oil market dynamics. The top drivers include: Corporate Bond Spread (BAA - 10Y): Reflects the difference between corporate bond yields and Treasury yields. Widening spreads signal economic uncertainty, potentially reducing crude oil demand. Narrowing spreads suggest stability, supporting higher crude prices. U.S. Trade Balance (again): At the weekly level, trade balance trends highlight the interplay between global trade and crude oil demand, influencing market sentiment over several days. Housing Price Index: Indicates trends in real estate values, reflecting consumer confidence and economic stability. Rising housing prices often signal strong economic conditions, indirectly bolstering crude oil demand. 5. Monthly Timeframe: Key Economic Indicators Monthly indicators provide a long-term perspective on Crude Oil Futures trends, highlighting macroeconomic forces at play. The top monthly drivers are: Natural Gas Prices: As a competing energy source, fluctuations in natural gas prices can impact crude oil demand. Rising natural gas prices often lead to increased crude consumption, while declining prices may pressure oil demand downward. U.S. Trade Balance (again): Over a monthly timeframe, the trade balance reflects sustained shifts in international trade dynamics. Persistent trade deficits may signal weaker global economic activity, affecting crude oil prices negatively, whereas trade surpluses may support demand. Net Exports: A critical measure of a country’s export-import balance, net exports reveal global demand for domestic products, including crude oil. Surpluses suggest robust international demand, often leading to upward pressure on oil prices, while deficits indicate weaker sentiment. 6. Applications for Different Trading Styles Economic indicators provide actionable insights tailored to specific trading styles: Day Traders: Focus on daily indicators such as U.S. Trade Balance, Unemployment Rate, and Building Permits to anticipate intraday volatility. For example, an unexpected improvement in building permits might signal stronger economic activity, potentially boosting crude oil prices intraday. Swing Traders: Weekly indicators like Corporate Bond Spread (BAA - 10Y) and Housing Price Index offer insights into intermediate trends. For instance, narrowing bond spreads often reflect economic stability, aligning with medium-term bullish positions in Crude Oil Futures. Position Traders: Monthly indicators such as Natural Gas Prices and Net Exports are essential for capturing long-term macroeconomic shifts. Sustained increases in natural gas prices, for example, might support prolonged bullish sentiment in crude oil markets. 7. Risk Management Strategies Risk management is crucial when trading Crude Oil Futures due to the inherent volatility of energy markets. Key strategies include: Hedging Volatility: Utilize correlated assets, such as natural gas or refined product futures, to hedge against price swings. Monitoring Leverage: Adjust position sizes based on volatility and margin requirements to minimize risk exposure during periods of heightened uncertainty. Timeframe Diversification: Incorporate insights from daily, weekly, and monthly indicators to create a balanced trading approach. For example, while daily indicators may signal short-term volatility, monthly metrics provide stability for longer-term trades. 8. Conclusion Crude Oil Futures are deeply influenced by economic indicators across varying timeframes. From the U.S. Trade Balance and Building Permits driving daily fluctuations to Natural Gas Prices and Net Exports shaping long-term trends, understanding these relationships is critical for navigating the energy market. By leveraging data-driven insights from machine learning models, traders can align their strategies with market dynamics and improve decision-making. Whether you're a day trader, swing trader, or position trader, these economic forces offer a framework for more informed and strategic trading. Stay tuned for the next installment in the "Behind the Curtain" series, where we unveil the economic forces shaping another critical futures market. When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies. General Disclaimer: The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
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