Crude Oil Finds Resistance Amid Geopolitical Shifts

Offshore drilling rig by nielubieklonu via iStock
Ptovided by Bloomberg

WTI Crude Oil Futures (January)

Yesterday’s Settlement: 69.24, up +0.07 [+0.10%]

WTI Crude Oil futures finished nearly unchanged yesterday after an initial rally tied to conflict escalation in the Russia – Ukraine war.

This morning, futures are trading higher by +0.34 [+0.66%] to 67.72 with price above yesterday’s highs.

Yesterday, Iran announced that they have agreed to stop producing weapons-grade uranium which helped bolster risk-on sentiment. Progress on the cease-fire between Israel & Hezbollah are promising as well.

The dollar is once again coming in strong today. The Yen is considerably weaker on weaker-than-expected trade balance data. The strength of the dollar continues to be impressive.

After yesterday’s close, the API report showed large builds in crude partially offset by stronger draws in gasoline. API figures are as follows (thousand bbls):

Crude: +4,800
Gasoline: -2,500
Distillates: -700
Estimates for today’s EIA report are as follows (thousand bbls):

Crude: -49
Gasoline: -85
Distillates: -23
Refinery Utilization: +0.03%

WTI Crude Oil futures were sold on heavy volume after making highs around the 69.75 level yesterday. Our two-star support level of 68.45-68.53 held twice yesterday, a break below this level may signal a shift in momentum to the downside. Overnight, futures made a high of 69.92 but failed to hold above yesterday’s high of 69.74. Our pivot and point of balance has been shifted to..

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