WTI Retreats as Markets Digest Mixed Signals from Iran, China, and Russia
WTI Crude Oil Futures (June Future)
Yesterday’s Settlement: 62.79, up +0.52 [+0.84%]
WTI Crude Oil futures rallied on trade talk optimism, strength in the physical oil markets, and Russia – Ukraine tensions. A report that Iran was seeking an intermediate deal with the US was a bearish factor that briefly pushed crude prices negative.
President Trump stated that the US and China had engaged in trade talks in the morning, which was surprise news for the markets. China had denied being engaged in trade talks overnight so the news came as quite a surprise for markets.
Geopolitical tensions also helped buoy futures as Russia struck the capital of Kyiv, killing multiple citizens. This came at a time when ceasefire talks are supposed to be moving ahead.
Yesterday’s EIA report also showed a sharp rise in gasoline and product demand which continues to be resilient.
There was a report early that stated Iran was looking to make an intermediate deal with the US prior to the final nuclear deal in order to free up oil exports. This briefly drove futures into the red in the early morning.
Today, Crude Oil is down -0.87 [-1.39%] to 61.92
WTI Crude oil futures are trading lower this morning in a general risk-off trade. The risk-off move this morning is a bit different than what we’ve been seeing lately as bonds and the dollar are trading higher.
On the bullish front, China is reportedly considering tariff exemption for several US products including petrochemical feedstocks and LPG. This is a good sign for US oil markets.
Technical Analysis:
WTI Crude Oil futures are trading into our support zone around 61.83** this morning. Ideally, price would hold this level and consolidate around here before taking the next bullish leg higher.
Again, we remain neutral until we get an idea of how Iran and OPEC will react to Kazakhstan’s failure to cut production. Until then, we are sitting on our hands as the risk skews wide in both directions.
For intraday trading our pivot and point of balance is set at…
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