empty
07.01.2025 10:05 AM
Oil Fundamentals Remain Intact

Oil seems to have been spooked by its own rally. After experiencing four consecutive days of gains, Brent crude has retreated, reflecting concerns about a potential increase in oil market surplus in 2024. According to Morgan Stanley, global demand is projected to rise by 1 million barrels per day (b/d). In contrast, OPEC+ supply is expected to increase by 300,000 b/d, and output from non-OPEC countries will grow by 1.4 million b/d. Consequently, supply is set to outpace demand by 700,000 b/d, which could lead to a decline in prices. Similar predictions have been issued by other financial institutions.

Bank of America predicts that the North Sea benchmark will trade at an average of $65 per barrel in 2025, as supply growth outside OPEC+ will outpace global demand. Countries like Brazil, Guyana, Canada, and Norway are expected to flood the market with oil, while U.S. production will see more moderate growth—despite Donald Trump's "Drill, baby, drill!" mantra.

In contrast to these bearish forecasts, asset managers have been increasing their long positions in West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude and reducing their short positions. As a result, net long positions in the Texas benchmark have reached their highest levels since August.

Speculative Positions in Oil

This image is no longer relevant

Buyers are increasingly confident that demand will grow faster than anticipated. This optimism is bolstered by a significant decline in U.S. crude oil inventories, indicating a bullish trend in the oil market. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has implemented its first price increase for Asian buyers in three months, and there's growing hope for further fiscal stimulus from China.

However, the market remains cautious due to the possibility that increased sanctions against Russia and Iran could lower supply volumes, which would likely drive Brent prices higher. It is noteworthy that Riyadh has shifted its strategy; rather than lowering prices to compete with Moscow in the Asian market, it has opted to raise them.

U.S. Crude Oil Inventories and WTI Spreads

This image is no longer relevant

The Washington Post reported insider claims that the incoming U.S. administration is considering targeted tariffs, which has contributed to a rally in Brent crude oil prices. If these tariffs are selective, they could potentially mitigate the severe global economic slowdown that is currently anticipated, leading Brent prices to surge to $77.40 per barrel.

However, to the disappointment of bullish investors, Donald Trump dismissed The Washington Post's report as fake news, asserting that there would be no lower tariffs than those previously promised. This caused Brent buyers to reconsider their positions, particularly as the U.S. dollar regained strength following its earlier decline triggered by the media report.

This image is no longer relevant

In my opinion, the market, weary from ongoing bearish forecasts, is attempting to shake off its negative sentiment, spurred by a series of positive news. However, we cannot overlook reality, which makes oil an appealing asset to sell during price rallies.

On Brent's daily chart, a pin bar with a long upper shadow has formed. Traders can take advantage of this pattern by placing a pending sell order at $76 per barrel, allowing them to expand their existing short positions initiated at $77.

Marek Petkovich,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold is declining below the $3300 level today. U.S. PCE data met expectations. A shift in trade flows is helping the U.S. dollar regain positive momentum. This is also undermining

Irina Yanina 17:37 2025-05-30 UTC+2

Inflation Is Almost Under Control

While the euro continues to hold its ground against the dollar, European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Fabio Panetta indicated during an interview today that inflation in the eurozone

Jakub Novak 13:40 2025-05-30 UTC+2

USD/CAD. Analysis and Forecast

The USD/CAD pair is attempting to regain positive momentum today, though traders remain cautious ahead of the key U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index release. As a preferred inflation

Irina Yanina 13:22 2025-05-30 UTC+2

EUR/USD. Analysis and Forecast

The EUR/USD pair continues to struggle to recover after rebounding from the 1.1200 level reached earlier, showing a moderately negative bias, although the decline remains limited. The U.S. dollar

Irina Yanina 13:19 2025-05-30 UTC+2

Legal Disputes Between Trump and Companies Over Tariffs Will Negatively Impact Markets (There Is a Likelihood of Continued Decline in Bitcoin and Litecoin Prices)

Global markets are significantly influenced by events occurring in the United States, where both political and economic spheres continue to swing like a pendulum. Earlier this week, after the U.S

Pati Gani 11:11 2025-05-30 UTC+2

More Time is Needed

Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Lorie Logan indicated yesterday that it might take some time before policymakers understand how the economy will react to tariffs and other policy changes

Jakub Novak 10:53 2025-05-30 UTC+2

The ECB Should Not Delay Rate Cuts

While the euro is trying to regain its monthly highs after a fairly significant correction seen this week, a survey of several economists shows that the European Central Bank

Jakub Novak 10:49 2025-05-30 UTC+2

Markets Demand an Appeal

The S&P 500 started the day strong but ended on a downbeat note. Initially buoyed by the U.S. Court of International Trade's ruling that the White House's tariffs were illegal

Marek Petkovich 10:33 2025-05-30 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 30? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

Several macroeconomic reports are set to be released on Friday, but none are deemed particularly significant. In Germany, the inflation report for May will be released, with expectations

Paolo Greco 06:51 2025-05-30 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 30: Justice Has Prevailed, but for How Long?

The GBP/USD currency pair closed below the moving average line on Thursday, and the dollar strengthened for three consecutive days. However, everything changed in the second half

Paolo Greco 03:51 2025-05-30 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.