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Oil Price Weakness to Persist Amid Signs of Slowing Consumption

Oil Price Weakness to Persist Amid Signs of Slowing Consumption

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Oil Price Talking Points

The price of crude extends the decline from the monthly-high ($60.94) even though US crude inventories contract for the fifth consecutive week, with oil prices at risk of exhibiting a more bearish behavior over the coming days as a ‘death-cross’ formation takes shape in July.

Oil Price Weakness to Persist Amid Signs of Slowing Consumption

Crude prices may continue to give back the advance from the June-low ($50.60) as updates from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) instill a mixed outlook for the world’s largest consumer of oil, and the weakening outlook for the global growth may continue to drag on energy prices amid the ongoing shift in trade policy.

Image of DailyFX economic calendar

US crude inventories narrowed 3116K in the week ending July 12, but the details of the report showed gasoline inventories unexpectedly climbing 3565K during the same period, with stockpiles of distillate fuel climbing 5685K after expanding 3729K the week prior.

Signs of lower consumption may put pressure on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies to step up their efforts as the mere extension of the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ fails to prop up the price of crude, and the group may have little choice but to further reduce crude outputs over the coming months especially as the US and China struggle to reach a deal.

Image of OPEC world oil demand forecast

It remains to be seen if OPEC and its allies will adjust production ahead of the next meeting on December 5 as the most recent Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) states that “in 2019, the global oil demand growth forecast remains at 1.14 mb/d, with expectations for global oil demand to reach 99.87 mb/d.”

The update suggests OPEC and its allies are in no rush to respond to the weakening outlook for global growth, and current market conditions may keep crude under pressure, with the price of oil still at risk of facing a bear market as a ‘death-cross’ formation takes shape.

Crude Oil Daily Chart

Image of oil daily chart
  • Keep in mind, the broader outlook for crude oil is no longer constructive as both price and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) snap the bullish trends from earlier this year.
  • At the same time, a ‘death cross’ formation has taken shape as the 50-Day SMA ($57.51) crosses below the 200-Day SMA ($57.82), with both moving averages tracking a negative slope.
  • More recently, crude carves a series of lower highs and lows following the string of failed attempts to close above the $60.50 (61.8% retracement) hurdle, with the lack of momentum to hold above the $56.70 (38.2% retracement) to $57.40 (61.8% retracement) area opening up the Fibonacci overlap around $54.40 (23.6% retracement) to $55.60 (61.8% retracement) region.
  • Next area of interest comes in around $51.40 (50% retracement) to $51.80 (50% expansion) followed by the $48.80 (38.2% expansion) to $49.80 (78.6% retracement) region.

Sign up and join DailyFX Currency Strategist David Song LIVE for an opportunity to discuss key themes and potential trade setups.

For more in-depth analysis, check out the 3Q 2019 Forecast for Oil

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--- Written by David Song, Currency Strategist

Follow me on Twitter at @DavidJSong.

DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.

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