- WTI prices are up for Friday, but Crude Oil remains significantly down from recent highs.
- Market fears about declining demand have replaced fears of spill-over from Gaza Strip conflict.
- Friday bidding likely a spot of profit-taking rather than outright reversal.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil prices have rebounded 2.8% on Friday, climbing from a daily low of $75.35 and testing into $77.50 heading towards the close after a rough week that has seen WTI shed 8.61% peak-to-trough.
Broad-market concerns about further escalations and a spillover in geopolitical conflict from the Gaza Strip conflict have eroded out of markets and replaced with newfound investor fears that global Crude Oil demand is failing to grow as fast as many had predicted. The long-running assumption that global oil production would undershoot demand, which initially sent WTI climbing into year-long highs near $94.00 per barrel.
Crude Oil chronic undersupply proving nonexistent
Despite significant production cuts from key member states of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), global oil demand has failed to materialize in a meaningful way, specifically weighed down by a notable lack of Crude Oil demand from China.
US Crude Oil stocks declined sharply last month, but the drawdown is larger a result of oil refiners capitalizing on soaring oil prices, and Crude Oil stocks continue to rebound almost as quickly as they declined.
WTI Technical Outlook
WTI is down 14% from the last swing high into $89.65 in October, declining into a near-term low of $74.95.
Crude Oil declined into the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) this week, tumbling through the technical barrier and Friday's bids are sending WTI back into the moving average as prices pin to the median.
The last technical swing low in early October that saw congestion mear the $82.00 handle has marked out a potential inflection point that could pivot into technical resistance for any topside challenges next week.
WTI Daily Chart
WTI Technical Levels
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD extends recovery beyond 1.0400 amid Wall Street's turnaround
EUR/USD extends its recovery beyond 1.0400, helped by the better performance of Wall Street and softer-than-anticipated United States PCE inflation. Profit-taking ahead of the winter holidays also takes its toll.
GBP/USD nears 1.2600 on renewed USD weakness
GBP/USD extends its rebound from multi-month lows and approaches 1.2600. The US Dollar stays on the back foot after softer-than-expected PCE inflation data, helping the pair edge higher. Nevertheless, GBP/USD remains on track to end the week in negative territory.
Gold rises above $2,620 as US yields edge lower
Gold extends its daily rebound and trades above $2,620 on Friday. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield declines toward 4.5% following the PCE inflation data for November, helping XAU/USD stretch higher in the American session.
Bitcoin crashes to $96,000, altcoins bleed: Top trades for sidelined buyers
Bitcoin (BTC) slipped under the $100,000 milestone and touched the $96,000 level briefly on Friday, a sharp decline that has also hit hard prices of other altcoins and particularly meme coins.
Bank of England stays on hold, but a dovish front is building
Bank of England rates were maintained at 4.75% today, in line with expectations. However, the 6-3 vote split sent a moderately dovish signal to markets, prompting some dovish repricing and a weaker pound. We remain more dovish than market pricing for 2025.
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads
VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.