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Crude Oil Prices Fall on Small Stockpiles Draw, Lingering Viral Concerns

Crude Oil Prices Fall on Small Stockpiles Draw, Lingering Viral Concerns

Margaret Yang, CFA, Former Strategist

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CRUDE OIL PRICE OUTLOOK:

  • Oil prices retreated to $68/bbl on Wednesday after gaining 2.5% a day ago
  • US crude inventories fell less than expected last week, exerting downward pressure on prices
  • Covid-related restrictions and lockdowns in China may weigh on Asia’s energy demand outlook
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Crude oil prices pulled back slightly during Wednesday’s APAC session after rising 2.5% overnight. The US Senate passed a historic$1.2 trillion fiscal stimulus plan on Tuesday, paving the way for a massive infrastructure revamp if it wins final approval in the lower chamber of Congress. The material and energy sectors were among the best performers on Wall Street overnight.

Prices retreated after the America Petroleum Institute (API) reported a smaller-than-expected draw in crude inventories for the week ending August 6th. Crude oil stocks fell 0.816 million barrels, compared to an estimated 1.05-million-barrel drop. Traders will monitor the EIA’sweekly petroleum status report – the official data for crude and gasoline inventories – for more clues about changes in supply-demand dynamics.

The recent build in stockpiles points to weaker demand for fuel as the summer driving season is off the peak. Viral resurgence around the globe also had some negative impact to travel activity, weighing on oil prices.

WTI vs. DoE Weekly Crude Inventories Changes

Source: Bloomberg, DailyFX

Across the Pacific, China continued to impose heightened alerts and restrictions in major cities to counter a rapid Covid-19 flareup caused by the highly contagious Delta variant. Authorities have reported 111 new cases for Tuesday, down from 143 cases a day earlier. Most local infections were found in the eastern province of Jiangsu, one of its most important high-tech manufacturing hubs. Over 46 mainland cities have warned against non-essential travel and conducted mass-testing for the virus to curb its spread.

Stricter mobility constraints may dampen energy demand for the world’s largest oil-importing country. China accounts for around 26% of the world’s total crude imports, with over 40 million barrels imported monthly so far in 2021.

Technically, WTI entered a consolidative period after hitting a two-and-half year high of $76.95 on July 6th (chart below). Prices have since formed a “Wedge” pattern for possible breakout. Prices may find some support near the floor of the “Wedge”, but a breakdown may intensify near-term selling pressure and open the door for further losses. The MACD indicator is trending lower, suggesting downward momentum may be dominating.

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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