Skip to Content
News & Analysis at your fingertips.

We use a range of cookies to give you the best possible browsing experience. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies.
You can learn more about our cookie policy here, or by following the link at the bottom of any page on our site. See our updated Privacy Policy here.

Free Trading Guides
Subscribe
Please try again
Select

Live Webinar Events

0

Economic Calendar Events

0

Notify me about

Live Webinar Events
Economic Calendar Events

H

High

M

Medium

L

Low
More View More
Crude Oil Price Drops for Sixth Straight Week, Most in 3 Years

Crude Oil Price Drops for Sixth Straight Week, Most in 3 Years

Tyler Yell, CMT, Currency Strategist

Share:

Fundamental Forecast for USOIL: Neutral

Talking Points:

  • The ONE Thing: Escalating tensions between China and the United States continue to weigh on prospects of global demand for crude at the same time supply is returning to the market...
  • Six straight weekly losses would account for the longest losing streak in oil in three years
  • Per BHI, U.S. total count to 1057 from 1044; US Crude Oil Drilling Rig Count to 869 from 859
  • The technical picture warrants focus for strong bullish support at 200-DMA ($65.71)

The pressure in the physical oil market continues to lessen as the price of the front-month oil contract has fallen for the sixth week when looking to week-over-week changes in price. The future’s calendar spread between December 2018 and December 2019 dropped to the tightest (less buying pressure in the near-term) in Brent crude in nine months with the WTI equivalent seeing the tightest level since June.

Next week, OPEC is set to issue their monthly oil report on Monday on the same day as the EIA’s monthly Drilling Productivity Report. The next day, traders will get Chinese Data released at 10:00 Beijing time (22:00 ET August 13.)

The IEA, who advises most of the world’s major economies on energy noted in their monthly report this week that, “Concerns about the stability of oil supply have cooled down somewhat, at least for now.” Most of this is due to OPEC, and strategic alliances like Russia have boosted output so that supply shortage (and bullish prospects for traders) are falling.

Crude Oil Chart Tests 200-MDA Support

Source: Bloomberg

Once again, WTI and Brent crude has become the market everyone is discussing! Unlock our forecast here

The drop in crude oil has yet to surpass anything witnessed in prior months. The price is approaching the 200-DMA as support. Only a break lower followed by an inability to move above the strong-handed 200-day price average could make a sufficient argument that we may not see oil trade above $70 for some time.

Sentiment has remained bullish despite the lower high on the charts. Traders have likely become accustomed to favorable geopolitical shocks, but with the re-opening of the strongest OPEC producer’s oil taps, there may be ready supply available that could limit upside shocks.

Next Week’s Data Points That May Affect Energy Markets:

The fundamental focal points for the energy market next week:

  • Monday (typically 0600-0700 ET): OPEC issues Monthly Oil Market Report
  • Monday 14:00 ET: EIA’s Monthly Crude Oil Market Report
  • Monday 22:00 ET: China’s National Bureau of Statistics releases metals andenergy output data for July
  • Tuesday 16:30 ET: API issues weekly U.S. oil inventory report
  • Wednesday 10:30 ET: EIA publishes weekly US Oil Inventory Report
  • Friday 13:00 ET: Baker-Hughes Rig Count
  • Friday 15:30 ET: Release of the CFTC weekly commitments of traders report on U.S. futures, options contracts

---Written by Tyler Yell, CMT

Tyler Yell is a Chartered Market Technician. Tyler provides Technical analysis that is powered by fundamental factors on key markets as well as trading educational resources. Read more of Tyler’s Technical reports via his bio page.

Communicate with Tyler and have your shout below by posting in the comments area. Feel free to include your market views as well.

Talk markets on twitter @ForexYell

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

DISCLOSURES