Last week featured the strongest crude oil rally since April on higher geopolitical risks in the Middle East, a weaker dollar, and the Fed’s 50bps cut that led to a general risk-on trade to finish out the week.

WTI Crude Oil (November)
Last week’s close: Settled at 71.00, down 0.16 on Friday and up 3.25 on the week.
WTI Crude Oil futures are stronger by 0.25 to 71.25 this morning on Chinese stimulus hopes and increased geopolitical risks in the Middle East.
Last week featured the strongest crude oil rally since April on higher geopolitical risks in the Middle East, a weaker dollar, and the Fed’s 50bps cut that led to a general risk-on trade to finish out the week.
The Israel – Hezbollah situation is escalating; Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets, missiles, and drones into Northern Israel on Sunday after Israel’s pager/radio attacks last week. Sunday’s missile strikes prompted counterattacks from Israel.
The PBOC cut 14-day reverse repo rates to 1.85% from 1.95% last night and announced plans for a public briefing on the economy, a rare occurrence. Announcement of the briefing increased hopes of Chinese stimulus this morning as the CSI 300 Index made its fourth straight day of gains.
Fundamentally, risks to crude are currently skewed to the upside. Technically, we look for WTI futures to consolidate this week after a strong rally.
WTI Crude Oil futures are again probing strong resistance at 71.15-71.55, which upon this second and ongoing test has been downgraded to a major three-star level. The path has been extremely constructive, aligned with the playbook noted here on Friday, “holding out above first key support at 70.26-70.31 and battling constructively at our Pivot and point of balance … at 70.65-70.88.” With the downside defined, a decisive close above 71.15-71.55 could stoke tailwinds to carry price action to our next major three-star resistance level at….
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