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

EUR/USD: The Dollar Falls Out of Favor Again

The euro/dollar pair has been climbing for two days, mirroring a general decline in the U.S. dollar. Having briefly regained strength, the greenback is now under pressure again: the U.S

Irina Manzenko 18:07 2025-05-14 UTC+2

AUD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

The current technical and fundamental setup for the AUD/JPY pair points to short-term pressure from the Japanese yen. However, fundamental factors favoring the Australian dollar help maintain the pair's upside

Irina Yanina 11:28 2025-05-14 UTC+2

USD/JPY. Analysis and Forecast

At the moment, the Japanese yen is showing positive momentum against the U.S. dollar for the second consecutive day.The key factor supporting the Japanese currency has been hawkish comments from

Irina Yanina 11:28 2025-05-14 UTC+2

The Market Is Changing the Rules of the Game

Don't go against the crowd. According to Goldman Sachs and the Federal Reserve, individual investors held $35 trillion worth of U.S. stocks at the end of 2024, equivalent to 38%

Marek Petkovich 09:32 2025-05-14 UTC+2

What to Pay Attention to on May 14? A Breakdown of Fundamental Events for Beginners

There are very few macroeconomic events scheduled for Wednesday. The only item of note is the second estimate of Germany's Business Activity Index for April. Second estimates typically

Paolo Greco 06:11 2025-05-14 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 14: Only the Trade Deal Matters

On Tuesday, the GBP/USD currency pair also ended what could only be called disgrace — its decline. On Monday, the U.S. dollar strengthened quite well following a successful first round

Paolo Greco 03:52 2025-05-14 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 14: The Music Didn't Last Long

The EUR/USD currency pair experienced upward movement for most of Tuesday. One gets used to good news quickly, and the market expected further strengthening of the U.S. dollar. We anticipated

Paolo Greco 03:52 2025-05-14 UTC+2

EUR/USD. And Then They Woke Up: Market Euphoria Over the U.S.-China Trade Truce Fades

The currency market's initial euphoria following the announcement of a temporary trade truce between the U.S. and China has now faded. The early optimism has given way to the sobering

Irina Manzenko 01:23 2025-05-14 UTC+2

Inflation Does the Dollar a Bearish Disservice

One of the few indicators the market occasionally pays attention to is U.S. inflation. After Donald Trump introduced trade tariffs, economists immediately started discussing rising inflation. This conclusion is logical

Chin Zhao 01:14 2025-05-14 UTC+2

The Euro Prepares for Retaliation

Man proposes, God disposes. After the White House imposed strict tariffs on America's Independence Day, there was much discussion about rising inflation and a slowing U.S. economy. However, instead

Marek Petkovich 00:18 2025-05-14 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.