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Crude Oil Prices Hold Gains as Stockpiles Fall, OPEC Lifts Demand Outlook

Crude Oil Prices Hold Gains as Stockpiles Fall, OPEC Lifts Demand Outlook

Margaret Yang, CFA, Former Strategist

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CRUDE OIL PRICE OUTLOOK:

  • API reported a 2.53-million-barrel draw in crude inventories for the week ending May 7th
  • OPEC raised its oil demand forecasts for the 2H21 while cutting estimate for the 2Q
  • The outage of a major US oil pipeline may lead to lower refinery rates in the Gulf Area
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Crude oil prices traded steadily during Wednesday’s APAC trade after rising 0.94% a day ago. Prices are buoyed by falling API crude inventories and demand optimism highlighted by OPEC. Colonial Pipeline outages caused significant disruptions among Gulf Coast refineries and end users along the East Coast. Traders are also eyeing US inflation figures today for clues about the Fed’s take on rising price levels.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) reported a 2.53-million-barrel draw in crude stockpiles for the week ending May 7th, compared to a forecasted decline of 2.1 million barrels. In the prior week, inventories dropped by 7.69 million barrels, underscoring rising fuel demand as economic recovery gathers pace. Since mid-March, total inventories have fallen by 17.6 million to 485.11 million barrels (chart below).

WTI vs. DOE Crude Oil Total Inventory Data

Source: Bloomberg, DailyFX

OPEC maintained its optimistic outlook for oil demand in a monthly report on Tuesday, saying that consumption will rise by 5.95 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2021, or 6.6% YoY. The energy demand outlook is brightened by eased lockdown measures in parts of the US and Europe, as well as strong recovery in China. This may help to offset the adverse impact brought by the pandemic in India and other parts of the world. Previously, the oil cartel decided at a meeting in early April to gradually increase production from May to July to meet rising demand.

A major US pipeline outage had a significant impact on fuel supply in the eastern part of the country. While gasoline stocks are running out in parts of the East Coast, some refineries in the Gulf area are forced to reduce processing rates as fuel inventories stock up. If the incident persists, it may lead to higher crude inventories in the days to come and undermine any boost from the summer driving season. Operators of the Colonial Pipeline will decide on late Wednesday whether it is ready to resume operating.

Looking ahead, traders are eyeing US headline and core inflation figures for clues about price levels and their implications on Fed monetary policy. The headline rate is forecasted to hit a ten-year high of 3.6% YoY. A higher-than-expected actual reading may lead the US Dollar to strengthen and probably weigh on commodity prices.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) will report weekly inventories data later today. Markets anticipate a 2.10-million-barrel draw in stockpiles for the week ending May 7th. A larger-than-expected fall may serve to underpin crude oil prices, whereas a smaller one or rise would likely do the reverse (chart below).

Source: Bloomberg, DailyFX

Technically, WTI is challenging a key resistance level at 66.50 – the 200% Fibonacci extension. A successful attempt would likely intensify near-term buying pressure and open the door for further upside potential. A failed attempt however, may result in a “Double Top” chart pattern that is inherently bearish in nature. The bearish scenario may lead to a technical pullback towards 62.19 – the 161.8% Fibonacci extension. Prices remain in an “Ascending Channel”, suggesting that overall trend remains bullish-biased.

WTI Crude Oil PriceDaily Chart

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--- Written by Margaret Yang, Strategist for DailyFX.com

To contact Margaret, use the Comments section below or @margaretyjy on Twitter

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

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