Energy

This could be a pivotal week for the crude oil. With key US economic data on the horizon and the OPEC+ meeting later this week to discuss oil production targets, market participants are bracing for significant developments.

Given the rise in non-OPEC supply growth, the OPEC+ will be under pressure to support prices. But the group has said that it will gradually restore withheld supplies after multiple delays. What’s more, we could see a sharp rise in US drilling activity under Trump’s plans. As a result, we could potentially see a boost in both OPEC and non-OPEC production by 2025 and beyond.

Highlighting demand concerns, the OPEC has today cut its oil demand growth forecast again. This is the fourth month in a row that it has done so. Weak oil demand in China, the world’s largest oil consumer, remains the primary driver of falling prices.

The immediate response in the commodities space to the Republican’s clean sweep victory has been a bearish one - especially for industrial metals. Copper and silver fell over 4% each, tracking weaker iron ore prices, while gold was off by around 3%. Crude prices fell too but came sharply off their earlier lows.

Crude Oil Week Ahead: Crude oil wrapped up the third week of October with a sharp 9% loss, driven by weaker Chinese economic data and reduced concerns about oil supply disruptions. Looking ahead, key events between Chinese policies, BRICS, and PMIs are expected to influence crude oil’s trajectory in the coming week.

Crude Oil Week Ahead: the crude oil market is expected to remain volatile this week with the Chinese economic stimulus, shifts in US monetary policy expectations, and supply concerns between hurricanes and geopolitical tensions. This will coincide with the release of OPEC and IEA Oil monthly reports and 2024-2025 forecasts.

Crude Oil Outlook: The recent rebound in crude oil prices has been driven by supply disruption fears and hopes of Chinese stimulus, but the sustainability of October’s highs remains uncertain.

Crude oil analysis: It is all about Middle East conflict now, when it comes to oil prices. The extent of Israel's potential response to Iran will influence how much further geopolitical risk markets are likely to factor in.

Stronger GDP, core durable goods orders and the drop in oil inventories have all helped to alleviate demand concerns somewhat, reducing the pressure on oil prices. After today’s reversal-looking price candle, our crude oil forecast has turned modestly bullish.

Crude oil prices turned high on the session, with Brent finding good support from $84.00 and WTI around $80.50. We are still anticipating higher oil prices due to slower output growth in H2, which should means a tighter oil market. Therefore, our crude oil forecast remains bullish.

Recent softness in global data has weighed on oil investors’ expectations about the level of demand growth. Yet, some oil forecasters like the Energy Information Administration (EIA) continue to envisage higher oil prices, thanks largely to lower output growth. We also share this view and reckon oil prices are heading further higher in H2 as the market tightens. Our crude oil forecast thus remains bullish.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was slightly off its best levels but remained on track to close higher for the fourth consecutive week as of late Friday. In the week ahead, keep an eye on crude inventories and consumer inflation data from the US.

It is possible we could see crude oil prices come under pressure again after the recent recovery. After all, there are several factors that are likely to limit the upside potential from here, including increased non-OPEC supply, which is undermining the OPEC+ efforts to stabilise the markets.

While there is hope for increased fuel demand as we head deeper into the US driving season, today’s recovery comes on the back of a three-week drop amid concerns over demand in China and rising non-OPEC supply. So, it remains to be seen whether the recovery can hold. The crude oil forecast will be under spotlight when the Fed make a decision on interest rates later this week.

The crude oil selling resumed on Friday after a two-day respite, although the losses were not as severe as those observed earlier in the week and far less forceful than the drop in metals. This is because a strong jobs report and services PMI data both helped to reduce fears over weakening demand in the US...

Today’s release of a much stronger-than-expected ISM services PMI report has also helped to reduce economic slowdown fears, and this is helping oil prices. Traders have largely shrugged off the unexpected build in US crude oil stocks. In light of today’s recovery, the short-term crude oil forecast has turned moderately bullish.

Crude oil analysis: ISM manufacturing PMI miss highlights demand worries after OPEC + failed to underpin prices with their latest decision to extend output cuts. WTI technical analysis is clearly bearish but watch out for oversold bounce as prices approach technical support levels.