Crude Oil
WTI Light Sweet Crude Oil, 6/29/23For Thursday, the 67.08 level can contain weekly selling pressures, above which 72.77 is attainable by the end of next week, possibly yielding 77.17 by the end of July.
Upside Thursday, 69.95 can contain session strength, while closing above 69.95 signals 72.77 within 2-3 days, where the market can top out into later next week and the point to settle above for yielding the more meaningful 77.17 within 3-5 more days.
Downside Thursday, closing below 67.08 indicates 64.10 within 3-5 days, 62.14 longer-term support within 2-3 weeks, where the broader market can bottom out through summer activity
UKOILThis is an update from the last time we took a trade on oil. Our approach was wrong, impatient and too easy, this time we have gone in with refinement and it has paid off.
- Pressure from the demand was very high
- retest of sensitive area
- break down of strength
- impulsive candle
This is to show that every time you refine your strategy you add to the skill so stay working on it and making it better, it is YOURS so only you can put in the work.
WTI Light Sweet Crude Oil, 6/27/23For Tuesday, the 67.08 level can contain weekly selling pressures, above which 72.92 is attainable within the week, possibly yielding 77.00 within 2-3 weeks.
Upside Tuesday, 70.67 can contain session strength, while closing above 70.67 signals 72.92 within 2-3 days, where the market can top out through the balance of the week and the point to settle above for yielding the more meaningful 77.00 within 3-5 more days.
Downside Tuesday, closing below 67.08 indicates 64.67 within the week, 62.14 longer-term support within 1-2 weeks, where the broader market can bottom out through summer activity
WTI CRUDE OIL Straight buy and sell at the top approach.WTI Crude Oil / USOIL has rebounded again on the 2 month Support Zone.
It is under both the 4hour MA50 and MA200, so still a buy opportunity on the short term.
Buy and target the 1day MA100 and Rising Resistance at 73.50.
Then switch to selling again and target Support Zone at 67.50.
Previous chart:
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WTI: Crude Oil May Have Bottomed OutNYMEX: WTI Crude Oil ( NYMEX:CL1! ), Micro Crude Oil ( NYMEX:MCL1! )
The talk of inflation deceleration created a wishful misperception. Does a CPI read from 9.1% to 4.0% mean price relief for consumer? Certainly not. Something costed $1 last year will go up to $1.04 this year on average. What really comes down is the rate and the pace of price increase, but the absolute price level has forever gone up.
This makes the real decline in energy prices more extraordinary:
• On June 23rd, WTI crude oil ( NYSE:CL ) August futures settled at $69.16 a barrel. This is 44% below last June’s high of $123.70;
• At $2.44 a gallon, RBOB gasoline futures ( SIX:RB ) declined 34% year-over-year;
• At $2.37 a gallon, ULSD diesel futures ( EURONEXT:HO ) price dropped 45% YoY.
• At the retail level, the American Automobile Association reports the national average regular gasoline price at $3.57 a gallon on June 25th, down 27% YoY;
• The AAA diesel price is now $3.89/gallon, falling 33% YoY.
However, the era of low energy prices may be coming to an end. I am convinced that the market dynamic has changed. Elevated geopolitical tension, higher demand and a weak dollar could help pull crude oil out of the bottom, and onto an upward trajectory.
Global Tension Forms Solid Price Support
A week after the start of Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Crude oil futures shot up 30% from below $90 to $115. WTI peaked at $121 in June as the fighting continued.
Since then, high inflation and rate hikes raised the risk of global recession. As the demand outlook dimmed, oil price lost support and trended down in the past year.
Geopolitical tension may have been placed on the back burner, but it never went away. Last Saturday, the Russian private army Wagner Group mounted a short-lived rebellion against the Kremlin. What this means to the Ukraine conflict and the stability of Russia itself remain to be seen.
Geopolitical crisis could cause supply shock and raise the price of crude oil. My observation is that global tension will be at an elevated level throughout 2023 and 2024.
Oil Demand is Expected to Recover
Last July, I called the peak of gas price in this report. I discovered that record $5 gas had caused demand to fumble. AAA gas price surprisingly declined at the start of the traditional summer driving season.
Things look different now. Retail gas price creeped up 50 cents (+13%) since December. Many stations popped up gas price ahead of the July 4th holiday. With a still strong job market and inflation in check, consumers are taking their summer vacations.
A second key demand factor comes from the US government. The Biden Administration has drawn down the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to fight high oil price in the last two years. The Energy Information Agency data shows that the SPR holds 350 million barrels of crude oil as of June 16th. This is 285 million barrels less than the level on January 24th, 2020, the week when President Biden first took office. SPR is now at a critical four-decade low level.
The Department of Energy has begun replenishing the SPR. It announced buying up to 3 million barrels in May, and recently planned additional purchase of 6 million in August.
Thirdly, the risk of global economic recession is now lower than what we previously feared. This is my most important reason for raising the outlook of future oil demand.
• The Federal Reserve implemented ten consecutive interest rate increases since March 2022. US inflation rate has declined from the peak of 9.1% to 4.0% in May. Lowering inflation may have averted the US economy from falling on a hard landing.
• The banking failures, from Silicon Valley Bank to Signature Bank, First Republic, and Credit Suisse, have met with swift government rescue efforts. We have so far managed to contain these from spreading to systemic risk.
• The resolution of US debt ceiling crisis helped avoid a US default and a likely global financial crisis it may trigger. According to the USDebtClock.org, the US national debt is now $32.1 trillion, which is $700 billion more than the previous debt limit.
• The Biden-McCarthy deal in federal spending limits ensures that government budget will not be cut. The federal government accounts for one quarter of the US economy. As bad as it may sound, government spending spree with borrowed money does contribute to near-term economic growth. We just kick the can forward and leave the debt burden to future generations.
A Weak Dollar Supports Higher Oil Price
Last year, the main investment theme of global commodities market was “Strong Dollar, Weak Commodities” and “High Rate, Low Price”. We are now in a reverse course.
The US dollar index peaked at 114 in last September. While the Fed raised rates aggressively, other countries were slow in response, resulting in widening interest rate spreads between the US dollar and major foreign currencies. Since then, the Fed reduced the size of rate hikes from 75 bp to 50 and then 25, while UK and ECB caught up with bigger rate increases. The dollar index has fallen to 100 by April.
The Fed paused rate increase in its June meeting. Although it emphasizes in fighting inflation, there is no question that the monetary tightening cycle is now in its last stretch.
NYMEX WTI Crude Oil Futures
With the key factors discussed above, plus the OPEC having incentive to cut output, I could see WTI going back to the $80-$90 range.
December WTI (CLZ3) currently quotes $69.1 a barrel. Each contract has a notional value of 1,000 barrels. Margin requirement is $5,000 to place one contract.
Hypothetically, if Dec futures goes up to $80, one long contract would gain $10,900 (=10.9*1000). Theoretical return would be +118% (=10,900/5,000-1), excluding transaction fees.
The risk of long WTI is falling oil price. If CLZ3 falls to $65, a long position would lose $4,100. This would result in a Margin Call, with the Exchange requiring the trader to deposit fund and bring the account balance back to $5,000.
Alternatively, we could consider the Micro Crude Oil Futures ( CSE:MCL ). Contract size is one tenth of the standard CL contract. And so is the margin requirement. Everything else works the same.
Happy Trading.
Disclaimers
*Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
The Future of Crude Oil“We are not addicted to oil, but our cars are”, said a former CIA Chief, James Woolsey. That addiction is on the decline as we pen this paper. Love it, or hate it, but you cannot ignore it. Crude oil powers the planet. When global economy stutters, oil prices plunge.
Midway through 2023, crude oil demand appears wobbly on recession overhang and shaky economic recovery in China. Meanwhile, crude supply remains tight with OPEC+ scaling back production which has been compounded by limited investment in new exploration.
Over the long term, energy transition is set to fundamentally change the oil market. Consumers are shifting to EVs and renewable energy. In a befitting response, producers are reducing supply.
Energy transition will be anything but a straight line. It will create many risks and present many more opportunities.
This paper is set in two parts. First, we highlight key takeaways from a recent IEA report on crude oil outlook until 2028. Second, we explore hedging & trading instruments on the CME Group for participating in oil markets.
PART 1: KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM IEA CRUDE OIL OUTLOOK REPORT
The International Energy Agency (IEA) released Oil 2023 last week. This report describes in detail the changing dynamics in the oil market until 2028. It discusses key trends such as slowing demand growth, shifting producer growth, and the impact of energy transition on oil.
Recent crises have accelerated the energy transition. With COVID-19 plus rattled geopolitics, nations are increasingly more focused than ever on energy security and independence.
Ten key takeaways from Oil 2023:
1. Global oil demand to rise by 6% or 5.9M bpd between 2022 to 2028, reaching 105.7M bpd. Despite this, emissions will fall 11% with efficiency improvements.
2. Annual demand growth is expected to slow sharply in the coming years from +2.4M bpd in 2022 to just +400K bpd in 2028.
3. India and China will drive demand over the next decade while consumption among OECD countries will shrink.
4. Oil demand for gasoline will peak this year and start to reverse going forward with accelerated EV transition. Demand for transport fuels is expected to peak in 2026.
5. Jet fuel demand is still lagging 2019 levels by 13% and is expected to rise rapidly but only surpass pre-COVID levels in 2027 with expected efficiency improvements.
6. The petrochemical sector will replace the demand for transport fuels. Demand from LPG, Ethane, and Naphtha will increase by 40% from now until 2028.
7. Production growth from shale is expected to slow due to rising costs and lower prices. US shale will mature to a higher-return-lower-growth trajectory.
8. Global upstream oil and gas investment is projected to increase by 11% year-on-year in 2023, reaching USD 528 billion. This represents a rise from USD 474 billion in 2022.
9. Non-OPEC+ countries, including the United States, Brazil, and Guyana, will lead the medium-term capacity expansion plans. They are expected to contribute to a supply boost of 5.1M bpd.
10. By 2028, an additional 5.9M bpd of net production capacity will come online. The rate of new capacity building will decrease over time, aligning with projected demand growth.
Following four charts help visualise the large shifts underway in the crude oil market:
1. Price Sensitivity to Imbalance: Crude oil prices are highly sensitive to imbalances between production and consumption. Over the past 25 years, consumption has been marginally higher than production. Where deficit rises, spot prices rally.
2. Consumption between developed markets (DM) and emerging markets (EM): Consumption in EM will further outpace OECD countries. Consumption across EM overtook OECD in 2013 and this trend will be further entrenched. IEA forecasts that consumption in OECD countries will hit its apex this year.
Thereafter, it will start shrinking going forward. In sharp contrast, EM consumption will rise by 7.8M bpd between 2022-2028.
3. India to surpass China by 2027: Although both countries will continue to see demand increase, India will surpass China as the main source of growth by 2027.
4. Non-OPEC+ will be the primary source of growth in oil production: Production growth from OPEC+ will remain intact, while non-OPEC+ countries will be driving production growth.
PART 2: CRUDE OIL DERIVATIVES
CME offers a variety of instruments for producers, consumers, and investors to participate in the crude oil market. This includes WTI Futures & Options and Brent Futures & Options. Beyond these, CME also operates markets in a range of refined oil products, fuel oil, and natural gas.
In a previous paper , we highlighted the 40-year history of CME Group’s WTI crude oil derivatives. With an extensive suite of derivatives on offer, CME Group enables multiple alternatives for different market participants.
Futures
WTI Crude is a widely used global benchmark for oil prices. It is the underlying for one of the most liquid futures contracts in the world – the CME Crude Oil Futures ("CL Futures"). CL Futures is a physically delivered contract with tight correlation to the physical oil market.
Over one million contracts change hands daily, representing USD 7+ billion in notional value. Each lot of the CL Futures contract represents one thousand barrels of crude oil. CL Futures provide deep liquidity and high-quality market structure for hedgers and investors to participate in and protect against oil price volatility.
Monthly contracts are available over the next ten calendar years. Front month contracts are easily tradable on CME Globex electronic order book. Longer dated contracts require engagement with inter dealer brokers for price discovery and voice-based trade execution.
Alternatively, CME’s Micro Crude Oil contract (MCL) offers exposure to just 100 barrels with a maintenance margin of just USD 580 (as of 23rd June), enabling affordable participation into these markets. The micro contracts allow hedgers to manage risk exposure with greater precision.
Options
Monthly options are available on the underlying CL futures. They are deeply liquid with seamless order book-based trading on CME Globex.
Open interest on the front month contract is >300,000 lots, representing premium of more than USD 1 Billion across calls and puts. More than 20,000 contracts are traded daily.
Weekly options are used to fine-tune exposure around key events such as OPEC+ meetings and interest rate announcements. Daily options are available for CL Futures. Monthly and weekly options are also available on Micro Crude Futures.
CME provides calendar spread options and mid-curve options which can be used as tactical trading and hedging tools given the seasonality of oil markets.
Trading Strategies
There are innumerable ways of trading the crude oil market. Most popular among them include (a) taking directional position using futures and options, (b) establishing shrewd hedges or convex trading strategies using options, and (c) trading delta-neutral calendar spreads gaining from relative shifts across the futures term structure.
Previously we have covered different trading ideas in crude oil, including taking a directional position - (a) Is US Oil running low on energy? (b) Is WTI crude set to rebound? (c) Three headwinds to send crude oil into free fall , (d) Harnessing gains from mean reversion in crude oil markets , and (e) Rebounding air travel & rising China to fire up WTI crude.
In our next paper, we describe the mechanics involved and illustrate the workings of popular trading strategies.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
In conclusion,
1. The Crude oil market is at the cusp of substantial change as energy transition powers on.
2. Change will be a constant. Impact on price will be anything but a straight line, creating both risks for the uninitiated and opportunities for the astute.
3. CME Group’s deeply liquid market with broad range of instruments enables market participants to harvest gains in risk-mitigated ways and to lock in credible reward to risk ratios.
MARKET DATA
CME Real-time Market Data helps identify trading set-ups and express market views better. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
DISCLAIMER
This case study is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
Trading or investment ideas cited here are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management or trading under the market scenarios being discussed. Please read the FULL DISCLAIMER the link to which is provided in our profile description.
WTI Light Sweet Crude Oil, 6/23/23For Friday, the 67.08 level can contain selling through next week, above which 73.28 attainable within a full week of activity, possibly yielding 76.98 within 2 - 3 weeks.
Upside Friday, 70.80 can contain session strength, while closing above 70.80 signals 73.28 within 2 - 3 days, able to contain buying through the balance of next week and the point to settle above for yielding the more meaningful 76.98 within 3 - 5 more days.
Downside Friday, closing below 67.08 indicates 62.14 longer-term support as a 1 - 2 week target, where the broader market can bottom out through summer activity.
WTI CRUDE OIL at the bottom of the Channel Up. Buy.WTI Crude Oil reached the bottom of the 10 day Channel Up.
The RSI (4h) indicates that we may be at a bottom level similar to May 15th.
Trading Plan:
1. Buy on the current market price.
2. Sell at 73.50.
Targets:
1. 73.50 (MA100 1d).
2. 67.00 (Support 1).
Tips:
1. The RSI (4h) gives the strongest buy signal after it crosses under the 30.00 oversold level. Technically that is at 67.00. Use this indication to your advantage for a medium term buy.
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Notes:
Past trading plan:
UKOILBig risk and I do not advise it. This is something I have been watching from a distance for months, so no I want to try what I have been figuring out with OIL.
I'm only posting because I need it for records and learning material for myself in-case this goes sideways, even when you look the RR is very bad but this is how far my strategy for oil has brought me.
Is It Time to Follow the Oracle's Lead?You may have heard of a certain Warren Buffett, and it seems like he might be onto something...
Buffett, known as the "Oracle of Omaha," has demonstrated remarkable investment timing, or perhaps an innate ability to steer investment flows. This was clearly illustrated by his investment in Japan, which triggered a rally in the Nikkei to decade-long highs. While that window may have closed, Buffett has been discreetly bolstering his stake in another entity - Occidental Petroleum (OXY).
If we scrutinize the timing of his purchases, it's apparent that Buffett likely had a price floor in mind. Intriguingly, his first purchase occurred when Crude was trading at a 15-year high!
This leads us to examine Oil, which has been trading nearly 40% lower since mid-2022.
Since our last discussion about oil, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has been further depleted, reaching its lowest level since 1983. The result of this drawdown is a diminished impact on energy costs as evidenced by the energy inflation index, which has not only passed its peak but has now turned negative.
Interestingly, the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian Krone, currencies of major oil-exporting countries, have been outpacing the commodity typically correlated with them, Crude Oil.
On the whole, it seems the energy commodity sector may have bottomed out, with all types of Oil and natural gas trading on an upward trajectory.
In consideration of these factors, the outlook for oil leans towards the bullish side. The scarcity of oil in the SPR and the absence of energy inflation as a significant contributor to overall CPI make it unlikely for the U.S. to release more oil to depress energy prices. Coupled with the buoyant trend in the energy commodity space and the recent outperformance of major oil-exporting countries' currencies, it appears to be an opportune moment to consider a long position on oil. At the current price level of 72.33, risk managed trade points to setting the stops at the previous support of 66 and take profit level at 85. Each Crude Oil Future contract is equal to 1000 barrels of crude oil. Each 0.01 point increment in Crude Oil Futures is equal to 10 USD . The same view can also be expressed with greater precision using the Micro WTI Crude Oil, where each Micro contract is equal to 100 barrels of crude oil and each 0.01 point increment is equal to 1 USD.
The charts above were generated using CME’s Real-Time data available on TradingView. Inspirante Trading Solutions is subscribed to both TradingView Premium and CME Real-time Market Data which allows us to identify trading set-ups in real-time and express our market opinions. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
Disclaimer:
The contents in this Idea are intended for information purpose only and do not constitute investment recommendation or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products or services. They serve as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate fundamental concepts in risk management under given market scenarios. A full version of the disclaimer is available in our profile description.
Reference:
www.cmegroup.com
www.cmegroup.com
www.eia.gov
tradingeconomics.com
WTI Light Sweet Crude Oil, 6/22/23For Thursday, the 67.65 - 67.08 region can contain weekly selling pressures, above which 74.29 remains a weekly target, 76.88 attainable within 2 - 3 weeks.
Upside Thursday, 72.36 can contain intraday strength, while pushing/opening above 72.36 allows 74.29 intraday, able to contain session strength.
Closing today above 74.29 signals 76.88 within several more days, where the market can top out through next week, possibly into later July.
Downside Thursday, breaking/opening below 69.67 allows 67.65 - 67.08 intraday, able to contain selling through next week and the area to settle below for indicating 62.14 longer-term support as a 1 - 2 week target
WTI - BEARRISH OUTLOOKChina's crude oil stockpiles surged in May, adding 1.77 million bpd, the fastest rate in nearly three years. Strong imports and refinery processing contributed to the bullish narrative of increased fuel consumption. However, the market overlooks the potential bearish impact of stockpiling, which provides options for Chinese refiners if prices rise too high. China doesn't disclose specific figures, but an estimate suggests a surplus of 1.77 million bpd available for storage.
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Crude Oil (WTI): Key Levels to Trade 🛢️
Here is my latest structure analysis for WTI Crude Oil.
Resistance 1: 74.19 - 75.00 area
Resistance 2: 76.60 - 77.00 area
Support 1: 66.84 - 67.30 area
Support 2: 63.58 - 64.00 area
Consider these structures for pullback/breakout trading this week.
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WTI Light Sweet Crude Oil, 6/20/23A two-sided framework continues through summer between 62.14 long-term support, and 82.33 long-term resistance, both regions able to contain seasonal activity.
Downside, a weekly settlement below 62.14 indicates 53.87 within several months, longer term Fibonacci support able to contain selling into later year.
Upside, a weekly settlement above 82.33 indicates 94.67 within several months, able to contain annual highs.
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For Tuesday, the 67.08 - 67.54 region can contain weekly selling pressures, above which 74.29 remains a weekly target, 76.68 attainable within 2 - 3 weeks.
Upside Tuesday, 72.40 can contain intraday strength, while pushing/opening above 72.40 allows 74.29 intraday, able to contain buying into later week.
Closing today above 74.29 signals 76.68 within several more days, able to contain weekly buying pressures, possibly into later July.
Downside Tuesday, breaking/opening below 70.49 allows 67.08 - 67.54 intraday, able to contain weekly selling pressures and the area to settle below for indicating 62.14 longer-term support as a 1 - 2 week target.
USOIL UpdateThe move in oil is just starting, and I expect the price to wobble early next week before surging to the $80+ zone.
The larger picture provides for the short-lived surge and the price ranging until the end of summer-early September.
All this comes from a bigger picture of unfinished correction that started in March 2022. Such an outlook broadly coincides with my view of the stock market, which I expect to decline in a similar timeline. See my earlier posts on S&P500.