WTI crude – False hope for bulls?

Oil higher again but rally in doubt

We’re seeing a second day of gains in the oil market but I’m not getting too excited just yet. The market was feeling toppy prior to Friday’s sell-off, which was further highlighted by WTI making significant declines on a story that was nothing more than a slightly altered rehash of something we’ve heard numerous times before, without substance.

WTI Daily Chart

OANDA fxTrade Advanced Charting Platform

We may be seeing some gains now but this currently looks like little more than a slight correction of Friday’s declines after price bounced off a key support zone. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this area come under pressure once again with today’s API inventory report – and the EIA report tomorrow – potentially providing the catalyst.

WTI has already run into some resistance around 64.50 which falls between the 50 and 61.8 fib level. While it is now off the daily lows, but that may not offer too much comfort to oil bulls.

WTI 4-Hour Chart

There have been a few interesting headlines today that may be contributing to the oil volatility, including a report that OPEC members subject to the output cut agreement have achieved 132% compliance (Reuters survey) vs 145% in March – this came just before the sell-off today – not to mention to headlines coming out of Venezuela which is another major oil producer, albeit one subject to sanctions that has significantly reduced its exports.

Content is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please access the RSS feed or contact us at info@marketpulse.com. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2023 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Former Craig

Former Craig

Former Senior Market Analyst, UK & EMEA at OANDA
Based in London, Craig Erlam joined OANDA in 2015 as a market analyst. With many years of experience as a financial market analyst and trader, he focuses on both fundamental and technical analysis while producing macroeconomic commentary. His views have been published in the Financial Times, Reuters, The Telegraph and the International Business Times, and he also appears as a regular guest commentator on the BBC, Bloomberg TV, FOX Business and SKY News. Craig holds a full membership to the Society of Technical Analysts and is recognised as a Certified Financial Technician by the International Federation of Technical Analysts.