Crude Pressured Again as Trade War Escalates—Is it Time to Lock in Gains?
WTI Crude Oil Futures (May)
Friday’s Settlement: 61.99 down -4.96 [-7.41%] for the day, down -7.37 [-10.63%] for the week
Last week’s disastrous week in Crude was driven by the Trump tariff plan alongside the surprise decision out of OPEC+ to hike production. Our target after these catalysts has been the mid 50’s on the lower end.
Prices are getting to a point here near $60 where some level of profit taking is advised.
Today, futures are lower by -1.53 [-2.47%] to 60.46
There was no walk back or softening of tariff tones over the weekend. The administration seemed to be dead set on moving forward with this plan. There was news yesterday that over 50 countries had called the administration hoping to talk.
Last night’s open across all markets was a mess as markets gapped lower on risk-off moves across risk assets.
This morning the Trump team is pointing towards the Republican tax cuts that are currently in the works to try and bolster markets and does not seem to be considering walking anything back.
The hope is that the tariffs get delayed, giving countries a chance to negotiate and plan. But, as of now we’re seeing no signs of that happening.
China has made their position clear that they will stand their ground on a trade war and is ready for a fight.
Technical Analysis:
May futures made lows at 58.95 overnight but are trading off the lows back into the 60 handle.
While our target remains in the mid 50’s on the lower end, some level of profit taking is prudent here. We do not know what the news will bring and this situation points towards extreme volatility possible in both directions.
For intraday trading our pivot and point of balance is set at 61.22 with support at…….
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