WTI Crude Oil Futures (March)

Yesterday’s Settlement: 72.73, up +0.11 [+0.15%]
WTI Crude Oil prices ended a volatile day little changed. Starting around 1 pm CST, Trump stated that he was ready to go ahead with the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. We’ve talked about these tariffs for some time, but markets took Trump’s comments as surprising at first, driving crude sharply higher. The move was promptly retraced.
While we’ve highlighted the risk of these tariffs for some time, yesterday showed that perhaps not all market participants are taking this risk very seriously.
The tariffs on Canada & Mexico remain slated to begin Saturday – Sunday.
Today, futures are higher by +0.25 [+0.35%] to 72.98
Risk into this weekend is significant for oil markets and traders should position and manage accordingly. We have the tariffs slated to start Saturday – Sunday and then the OPEC+ JMMC meeting on Monday.
There is potential that Canadian Crude Oil is excluded from the blanket tariffs, but nothing is known at this point.
The macro environment is trading risk-on, with equities and metals higher and treasuries weaker. The Dollar index is showing strength but it is more Yen weakness than broad dollar strength.
If a deal is reached today and the tariffs are avoided, there could potentially be a sharp move lower in Oil and metals pricing.
Technical Analysis:
Futures settled below our major three-star level of 72.97-73.24* again yesterday, tilting momentum to the downside. We remain neutral due to the tariff risks this weekend but our tilt is leaning bearish. If futures settle below this level again, the probability increases of the next leg in price being towards our rare, four-star level of 71.25-71.63**.
Short covering and position squaring is likely through today’s session as catalysts for potential two-way volatility are present. Risk management should remain a priority for traders.
For intraday trading, our pivot and point of balance is set at….
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