WTI Crude Oil at $78.10 Amid Strong Demand Forecasts and Fed’s Rate Decision; What’s Next?
WTI Crude Oil prices eased on Friday as markets assessed the implications of U.S. interest rates remaining higher for longer than expected
Arslan Butt•Friday, June 14, 2024•2 min read
WTI Crude Oil prices eased on Friday as markets assessed the implications of U.S. interest rates remaining higher for longer than expected.
Despite this, crude benchmarks are poised for their best week in over two months, driven by strong projections for crude and fuel demand. Brent and the U.S. benchmark gained more than 3% for the week, marking their best performance since April 5.
OPEC’s Forecast and Goldman Sachs’ Projections
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) maintained its forecast for strong global oil demand growth in 2024, while Goldman Sachs projected robust U.S. fuel demand for the summer.
This optimism helped reverse the previous week’s losses, which were triggered by OPEC and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, agreeing to begin unwinding output cuts after September.
“Overall, this week can be characterized as a recovery effort for oil,” noted Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see oil prices head higher from here while the demand outlook continues to look positive. Much will depend on the northern hemisphere’s summer demand picture.”
Fed’s Influence and Market Support
The price rally cooled after the U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady and postponed the start of rate cuts to December. Additionally, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported on Wednesday that it expects oil demand to peak by 2029, stabilizing around 106 million barrels per day (bpd) towards the decade’s end.
Geopolitical Concerns and Market Focus
Market attention is also on the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks. The resolution of these talks could alleviate concerns about potential disruptions in oil supply from the region.
The U.S. expressed significant concern that hostilities on the Israel-Lebanon border could escalate into full-scale conflict, stressing the need for specific security arrangements beyond a Gaza ceasefire.
Key Points:
- Price Movements: WTI Crude Oil prices eased but are set for the best week since April 5.
- Demand Projections: OPEC and Goldman Sachs forecast strong demand, aiding price recovery.
- Fed’s Impact: Steady U.S. interest rates delayed rate cuts, affecting oil price momentum.
These factors contribute to the current WTI Crude Oil price forecast, suggesting cautious optimism amid mixed signals from demand projections and geopolitical developments.
WTI Crude Oil Price Forecast
USOIL is currently trading at $78.11, reflecting a 0.32% increase. The chart timeframe is set to 4 hours, and the pivot point is positioned at $77.62. This pivot point marks a crucial level for determining the near-term market direction.
Immediate resistance levels are noted at $79.30, $80.59, and $81.89. These levels indicate potential upward targets that could be tested if the bullish momentum continues. Conversely, immediate support levels are set at $76.45, $75.18, and $74.06.
These support levels provide a cushion against downward movements and are critical for maintaining the current price stability. The technical indicators suggest a moderately bullish outlook. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 55, indicating moderate momentum in the market.
Additionally, the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) is at $77.19, reinforcing the bullish trend as the current price remains above this average. In conclusion, USOIL shows a bullish outlook above the pivot point of $77.62.
A move above this level reinforces the bullish sentiment, suggesting potential upward movement towards the resistance levels. However, a break below $77.62 could trigger a sharp selling trend, bringing the support levels into play.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Arslan Butt
Index & Commodity Analyst
Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics.His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker.His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.
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