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

Fed Rate Cut Probability Is Near Zero

This week marks the third Federal Reserve meeting of the year. At the first two meetings, monetary policy parameters remained unchanged, and there is virtually no chance of a rate

Chin Zhao 00:50 2025-05-06 UTC+2

The Dollar Sell-Off Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

The latest CFTC report reveals that the dollar sell-off continues unabated. Weekly changes against major currencies amounted to -$3.1 billion, bringing the total accumulated short position to -$17.1 billion

Kuvat Raharjo 00:50 2025-05-06 UTC+2

GBP/USD. The Pound and Politics

The pound reacted negatively to the results of the local elections in the UK, where the right-wing Reform UK party secured a convincing victory in many districts. However, the British

Irina Manzenko 00:50 2025-05-06 UTC+2

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast

Gold continues to show resilience, climbing above the key psychological level of $3300. Geopolitical tensions stemming from the prolonged Russia–Ukraine conflict and escalating hostilities in the Middle East continue

Irina Yanina 17:45 2025-05-05 UTC+2

USD/CHF: Analysis and Forecast

The USD/CHF pair remains under pressure at the start of the new week, attracting sellers for the second day in a row, weighed down by several factors. However, spot prices

Irina Yanina 17:35 2025-05-05 UTC+2

Could the Fed Deliver a Surprise Following Its Meeting? (Possible Renewed Decline in Oil Prices and GBP/USD Pair)

The turbulence of recent months, driven by Donald Trump's actions and the release of fresh U.S. economic data, has done little to help investors understand the true direction of asset

Pati Gani 09:50 2025-05-05 UTC+2

The Market Doesn't Dare to Go Against the Crowd

"Dance while the music plays." The S&P 500 has just completed a 9-day rally—the longest since 2024—driven by a strong U.S. labor market report and upbeat earnings from tech giants

Marek Petkovich 08:49 2025-05-05 UTC+2

GBP/USD Overview – May 5: Bank of England and Fed Meetings

The GBP/USD currency pair failed to show any decisive movement on Friday—it neither rose nor fell significantly. Many analysts interpreted the U.S. labor market and unemployment data as positive simply

Paolo Greco 06:44 2025-05-05 UTC+2

EUR/USD Overview – May 5: A New Week of Ordeals for the Dollar

The EUR/USD currency pair remained flat on Friday. The day saw both upward and downward movements. It is a notable achievement for the dollar that it has appreciated over

Paolo Greco 06:44 2025-05-05 UTC+2

EUR/USD: Weekly Preview. The May FOMC Meeting and (Possible) U.S.-China Trade Talks

The new week promises to be informative for EUR/USD traders. Most notably, the next Federal Reserve meeting, scheduled for May 6–7, will determine the central bank's future course of action

Irina Manzenko 05:53 2025-05-05 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.