|

Oil Price Forecast: WTI rallies to $74 before settling above $72

  • WTI Oil surges above $72 as Israel-Iran tensions trigger a breakout.
  • Gains for June are near 20%, pushing prices above key Fibonacci levels from longer-term moves.
  • The 12-month moving average provides additional support below $70.

WTI crude oil is surging amid escalating geopolitical tensions, with Israel’s recent strikes on Iran fueling a rally that pushed prices above the $74.00 handle on Friday. At the time of writing, WTI is trading just below $72.00 after Iran responded with its own missile barrage, marking a near 20% gain for June and reversing much of the weakness observed earlier this year.

Despite broad-based pressure in the first half of 2025, the recent price surge has lifted WTI back above several key technical levels, with bullish momentum building across multiple timeframes.

WTI Oil long-term setup

From a longer-term perspective, WTI has reclaimed the 12-month Simple Moving Average (SMA), currently sitting at $69.46. This level now serves as dynamic support. Above, resistance is forming at the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the March 2022 high to the April 2025 low, located at $71.71.

WTI Oil Monthly Chart

WTI Oil medium-term setup

On the weekly chart, WTI broke above the 12-week SMA at $63.29 following the Iran-Israel escalation, marking a pivotal shift in sentiment. This surge has brought prices up to the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement of the January–April decline at $74.11. The 12-week SMA continues to offer support near $63.31, underlining a strong base for bulls.

WTI Oil Weekly Chart

WTI Oil short-term setup

Zooming into the daily chart, Friday’s bullish momentum drove a decisive move above both the 100-day and 200-day SMAs, strengthening the case for further upside. Technical confluence with long-term Fibonacci levels adds credibility to the breakout.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the daily timeframe currently sits at 76, signaling overbought conditions. However, with the geopolitical backdrop intensifying, fundamental support may ultimately prevail over short-term exhaustion.

WTI Oil Daily Chart

Looking ahead: What’s next for Oil?

If WTI breaks and holds above $74.11 early next week, momentum could carry it toward $76.00 and eventually $78.00. Conversely, failure to maintain levels above $71.71 may trigger a retracement, especially if geopolitical tensions ease or if market focus returns to demand-side concerns.

Author

Tammy Da Costa, CFTe®

Tammy is an economist and market analyst with a deep passion for financial markets, particularly commodities and geopolitics.

More from Tammy Da Costa, CFTe®
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD bounces back toward 0.6950 on fresh USD supply

AUD/USD bounces back toward 0.6950 in the Asian session on Friday. The US Dollar retreats from 17-month highs as traders take profits off the table ahead of the all-important US Nonfarm Payrolls report. Meanwhile, the Australian Dollar draws support from reviving expectations of a November interest rate hike amid elevated global yields and inflation risks.


USD/JPY struggles near 158.00 as USD retreats ahead of NFP

USD/JPY is struggling for fresh impetus near 158.00, moving away from the top end of its weekly range in the Asian session on Friday, after hotter-than-expected Tokyo CPI and amid a broad US Dollar retreat. Traders reposition themselves ahead of US Nonfarm Payrolls.

Gold surpasses $4,200 on US Payrolls

Gold trades with decent gains at the end of the week, clearing the key $4,200 mark per troy ounce. The precious metal’s positive price action comes amid some decent decline in the US Dollar as investors assess the latest NFP data.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP gains reinforce bullish outlook

Cryptocurrency prices are broadly recovering on Friday, led by Bitcoin moving above $86,000. Ethereum has reaffirmed its bullish outlook, rising above $2,700 while the immediate area at $2,800 caps upside. Meanwhile, Ripple hovers near $1.54.

Week ahead – Fed minutes in the spotlight amid bond market rout

Energy crisis and soaring bond yields to stay in driver’s seat in quiet week. Fed minutes eyed after drop in October rate hike bets. ISM services PMI and Treasury auctions to be watched too. Canadian employment, Japanese wages and ECB minutes also on tap.

The Euro is near a one-year low: Inflation could trigger its rebound, not its fall

EUR/USD has fallen to its lowest level since May 2025. The pair hit 1.1312 on Wednesday and trades well below the January peak of 1.2082. The decline reflects a powerful combination of US Dollar strength, geopolitical uncertainty and renewed concerns about Europe's exposure to higher energy prices.