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
Oil Price Forecast: Bullish Price Series Brings March High Within Reach

Oil Price Forecast: Bullish Price Series Brings March High Within Reach

What's on this page

Oil Price Talking Points

The price of oil trades to a fresh monthly high ($64.53) following a smaller-than-expected rise in US stockpiles, and crude prices may continue to trade within the March range as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) stay on track to gradually restore production over the coming months.

Advertisement

Oil Price Forecast: Bullish Price Series Eyes March High

The price of oil extends the series of higher highs and lows from earlier this week as OPEC and its allies remain in no rush to push crude output towards pre-pandemic levels, and the press release following the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) meeting suggests the group will continue to regulate the energy market over the coming months as it reminds “all Participating Countries to remain vigilant and flexible given the uncertain market conditions.”

It seems as though OPEC and its allies will stick to the same script at the next JMMC meeting on June 1 as the group references the production adjustments table from the previous conference, and it remains to be seen if OPEC+ will restore output beyond July as fresh data prints coming out of the US instill an improved outlook for demand.

Image of DailyFX economic calendar for US

Updated figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed crude inventories increasing a marginal 0.09M in the week ending April 23 versus forecasts for a 0.659M rise, and the development may encourage OPEC and its allies to boost production throughout 2021 as US output remains around its lowest level since 2018.

Image of EIA Weekly US Field Production of Crude Oil

A deeper look at the EIA report showed weekly US field output narrowing to 10,900K during the same period after printing at 11,000K for two weeks, and the ongoing weakness in non-OPEC production may keep oil prices afloat as OPEC’s most recent Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) emphasizes that “oil demand in the 2H21 is projected to be positively impacted by a stronger economic rebound than assumed last month.”

With that said, the price of oil appears to have reversed course after defending the March low ($57.25) as US production remains below pre-pandemic levels, and crude may attempt to test the March high ($67.98) over the coming days as it extends the series of higher highs and lows from earlier this week.

Oil Price Daily Chart

Image of Oil price daily chart

Source: Trading View

  • Keep in mind, crude broke out of the range bound price action from the third quarter of 2020 following the failed attempt to close below the Fibonacci overlap around $34.80 (61.8% expansion) to $35.90 (50% retracement), with the price of oil taking out the 2019 high ($66.60)as both the 50-Day SMA ($61.89) and 200-Day SMA($48.73)still reflect a positive slope.
  • Recent developments in the Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggest the decline from the March high ($67.98) may turn out to be a correction in the broader trend rather than a change in market behavior as the indicator breaks out of the downward trend from this year.
  • In turn, crude appears to have reversed course after defending the March low ($57.25), with the recent series of higher highs and lows pushing the price of oil to fresh monthly highs.
  • However, need a close above the $64.20 (61.8% expansion) region to bring the March high ($67.98) on the radar, which largely lines up with the $67.80 (78.6% expansion) hurdle, with the next area of interest coming in around 70.90 (100% expansion) to 71.90 (100% expansion).
Traits of Successful Traders
Traits of Successful Traders
Recommended by David Song
Traits of Successful Traders
Get My Guide

--- 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.

DISCLOSURES