CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Open account
☰
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Open account
✖

Crude oil analysis: WTI breaks $80 barrier

Article By: ,  Market Analyst
March 14, 2024 11:25 AM
  • Crude oil analysis: Factors supporting oil price include optimism over China, bullish forecast from IEA and general strength in commodities
  • Crude oil extends weekly gains to over 3% with Brent above $84, reaching best levels since November
  • WTI technical analysis point towards mid-$80s

 

Crude oil prices have extended their weekly gains to over 3%, with Brent climbing above $84 per barrel to reach its best levels since November and WTI has moved above the key $80 mark. Oil investors are expecting strong demand from China while the ongoing supply cuts by the OPEC+ means there is the potential for a supply deficit. Oil’s latest gains come hot on the heals of a sharp rally in copper and silver prices and following gold’s breakout to a record high last week.

 

Crude oil analysis: What factors are supporting oil prices?

 

Support for oil has come from several sources this week, including the International Energy Agency (IEA) warning of a supply deficit throughout the year, hopes over strong demand from China and US crude stockpiles shrinking unexpectedly.

The IEA changed its earlier projections of an excess supply due to expectations that OPEC+ intends to prolong its production reductions in the latter part of the year. Additionally, the IEA raised its estimates for global oil demand growth in 2024 by 110,000 barrels per day to 1.3 million barrels, citing a more robust US economic outlook and heightened demand for marine fuel. This increase in demand is attributed to ships opting for longer routes to evade Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

In the US, inventories dropped by 1.5 million barrels, marking the first drop in seven weeks, with a drop in stocks at the hub in Cushing also painting a bullish picture for oil.

 

Why have commodity prices rebounded?

 

The recovery in oil prices come as key commodities like copper, gold and silver have all rallied sharply in recent days. The rise in key commodity prices is in part due to optimism about a Chinese demand recovery. We have seen metal prices like copper and silver break out this week, with the former rising above $4.00 and the latter hitting $25 per ounce. WTI crude oil has hit $80 per barrel today.

In so far as copper is concerned, it is gains coincided with a report of an agreement being reached among some Chinese smelters to cut production due to a collapse in processing fees, raising fears about a shortage of refined metal. Chinese smelters, which are the leading global producers and consumers of refined copper, are encountering financial difficulties due to declining fees for converting copper concentrate into metal. This situation raises the possibility of production cuts, which could result in a supply shortage.

 

 

WTI technical analysis

Source: TradingView.com

 

WTI is looking constructive from a technical point of view, following three months of volatile but rising prices. WTI had repeatedly sold off from around the $79.00 area on multiple occasions since November. Now that we have a clean break above this zone, the technical path of least resistance has been confirmed to the upside.

The bulls would like to see a daily close above $80 to maintain the bullish momentum. If this condition is met, WTI could be heading towards $82.00 next, and potentially climb towards $84.40, which corresponds with the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of the downswing from September.

On the downside, key support is seen around $79.25ish, followed by Tuesday’s high at $78.34. The invalidation point form now is at around $76.41 now, where this week’s rally has started. Should oil prices break that level, then this could lead to a sharp withdrawal of bids, leading to a correction. However, this is not my base case scenario.

 

Video analysis on commodities, indices and FX majors

 

 

-- Content created by Fawad Razaqzada, Market Analyst

Follow Fawad on Twitter @Trader_F_R

 

How to trade with City Index

You can trade with City Index by following these four easy steps:

  1. Open an account, or log in if you’re already a customer 

    • Open an account in the UK
    • Open an account in Australia
    • Open an account in Singapore

  2. Search for the company you want to trade in our award-winning platform 
  3. Choose your position and size, and your stop and limit levels 
  4. Place the trade

 

 

StoneX Financial Ltd (trading as “City Index”) is an execution-only service provider. This material, whether or not it states any opinions, is for general information purposes only and it does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. This material has been prepared using the thoughts and opinions of the author and these may change. However, City Index does not plan to provide further updates to any material once published and it is not under any obligation to keep this material up to date. This material is short term in nature and may only relate to facts and circumstances existing at a specific time or day. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, legal, tax or other advice and no reliance should be placed on it.

No opinion given in this material constitutes a recommendation by City Index or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although City Index is not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, City Index does not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination. This material is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

For further details see our full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFD and Forex Trading are leveraged products and your capital is at risk. They may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved by reading our full risk warning.

City Index is a trading name of StoneX Financial Ltd. Head and Registered Office: 1st Floor, Moor House, 120 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5ET. StoneX Financial Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales, number: 05616586. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Register Number: 446717.

City Index is a trademark of StoneX Financial Ltd.

The information on this website is not targeted at the general public of any particular country. It is not intended for distribution to residents in any country where such distribution or use would contravene any local law or regulatory requirement.

© City Index 2024