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 Forecast: Oil Remains Robust Ahead of OPEC Meeting

Crude Oil Price Forecast: Oil Remains Robust Ahead of OPEC Meeting

Tyler Yell, CMT, Currency Strategist

Share:

What's on this page

Crude Oil Price Forecast Talking Points:

  • WTI Crude Oil Technical Analysis Strategy: Bullish continuation anticipated in a volatile environment
  • IEA focuses on negative supply shocks from Venezuela as US inventories drop below 5-year average
  • Trader Sentiment Highlight from IG UK: retail short positions favors further advances

There may be too many geopolitical developments to price in as a potential ‘what-if’ range of WTI Crude. Earlier today, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol on a Bloomberg Interview tagged the sharp drop in Venezuelan output, which has turned the economically strained company to a net-importer as a key concern for the market.

The major supply crisis has caused the physical supply market to tighten and has said policymakers wanting a balanced market should be careful what they wish for as consequences would be dire if prices increase significantly.

Unlock our Q2 18 forecast to learn what will drive trends for Crude Oil in a volatile Q2

US Crude Inventories Are Below 5-Yr Average

Please add a description for the image.

Data source: Bloomberg, EIA

WTI volatility has hit a two-month high ahead of weekly EIA Crude Oil Inventory reports, which has shown a persistent decline in the US inventories that recently fell below the 5-year average of 424,000 barrels. The price of crude has been rising on falling inventories, which is supported by calendar spreads in the futures market that shows a premium for buying and holding now as opposed to waiting to buy later.

IEA Flags Venezuela As Key Oil Price Risk

Venezuelan Oil Output Has Turned The Country To A Net Importer.

Data source: Bloomberg, OPEC

While much has been made of Middle East tensions and rightfully so, traders should also remember that Venezuela continues to face the risk of further significant output losses this year due to their domestic economic crises.

OPEC+ Meeting Preceded by ‘Chatter’ On Possible Output-Cut Extension

Despite resounding successes from the current Oil production curbs from OPEC and strategic alliances like Russia, the idea is being spread that a further output-cut extension could be discussed. The risk premium has allowed Crude Oil to trade to the highest levels since December 2014 that is currently deflating.

The meeting will take place on Friday in Jeddah with energy ministers from Saudi Arabia, Russia, UAE, Oman, Algeria, Kuwait, and others that will undoubtedly discuss the Aramco offering and the increased production from the US shale producers who continue to add wells. The official meeting that has the potential to formally announce an extension will take place in June.

Technical Focus Looks to Price > Ichimoku Cloud, Bullish Channel

The broad bullish trend on Crude Oil traded to the top of a price channel that began in Mid-February. The price has pulled back from resistance, but fundamental factors continue to support the overall bullish view.

Without a sharp break below the channel base near $63/bbl, and further to $61.8/bbl (April opening range low), traders should anticipate a resumption to new highs that could continue to trade to the channel top impulsively.

Chart Watch: Crude Price Continues To Ride Channel Top, Bullish Shocks Still Likely

Please add a description for the image.

Chart created by Tyler Yell, CMT. Tweet @ForexYell for comments, questions

WTI Crude Oil Insight from IG Client Positioning

Insight from IG UK shows us that 38.2% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 1.62 to 1. In fact, traders have remained net-short since Apr 09 when Oil - US Crude traded near 6373.7; the price has moved 4.2% higher since then.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests Oil - US Crude prices may continue to rise. (emphasis mine.)

---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 t1rading 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.

Discuss this market with Tyler in the live webinar, FX Closing Bell, Weekdays Monday-Thursday at 3 pm ET.

Talk markets on twitter @ForexYell

Join Tyler’s distribution list.

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

DISCLOSURES