|

WTI back over $83 as Crude Oil sees additional volatility

  • Crude Oil gets pulled in both directions on Tuesday.
  • A misfire in US PMIs spark fresh rate cut hopes.
  • Risk assets get pumped higher as markets celebrate softening US economy.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US Crude Oil started Tuesday on the low side, falling below $81.00 per barrel before a broad-market recovery in risk appetite dragged barrel bids into a fresh high above $83.00. US Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) figures printed much softer than expected, sparking renewed hopes of a weakening US economy forcing the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to begin cutting rates sooner than previously expected.

Crude Oil markets remain exposed to downside moves as recent geopolitical tensions ease after Iran announced it would not seek further retaliation against Israel. WTI’s recent climb sparked by ongoing fears of a Middle East conflict spilling over into an all-out war faltered near $87.00 per barrel as cooler heads prevail. 

US data is set to continue driving financial markets through the rest of the trading week. US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures are slated for Thursday, where investors are expecting, or hoping, for US GDP for the annualized first quarter to ease to 2.5% from the previous 3.4%. On Friday, US Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Price Index inflation data will be released, which is forecast to hold steady at 0.3% MoM.

WTI technical outlook

WTI crossed $83.00 per barrel after recovering from Tuesday’s bottom bids just below $81.00. The day’s late-stage rally brought US Crude Oil prices just above the 200-hour Exponential Moving Average (EMA). 

Despite Tuesday’s late rally, US Crude Oil remains knocked off of recent gains, with WTI down around 4.5% from April’s swing highs near $87.00 per barrel. On the low side, long-term technical support sits at the 200-day EMA, holding near $79.23.

WTI hourly chart

WTI daily chart

Author

Joshua Gibson

Joshua joins the FXStreet team as an Economics and Finance double major from Vancouver Island University with twelve years' experience as an independent trader focusing on technical analysis.

More from Joshua Gibson
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD keeps range near mid-0.7100s as USD bulls await US CPI

AUD/USD steadies near mid-0.7100s in the Asian session on Friday, stalling the previous day's sharp decline to an over one-week low. The August PPI report reaffirmed Fed rate-hike bets and boosted the US Dollar on Thursday, which weighed heavily on the pair. However, hawkish RBA expectations limited losses for the Aussie as USD bulls now await the release of the US consumer inflation figures before placing fresh bets.

USD/JPY holds lower ground toward 154.00; looks to US CPI

USD/JPY holds lower ground toward 154.00 in the Asian session on Friday after hot Japanese PPI data bolster a more hawkish BoJ repricing and provide fresh impetus to the Japanese Yen. However, the downside appears capped as the US Dollar preserves overnight gains ahead of the latest US consumer inflation data.

Gold: Gains remain capped by $4,400

Gold regains composure and trades with decent gains on Friday, managing to refocus attention on the $4,440 mark per ounce troy. Therefore, the precious metal reverses Thursday’s decline as the US Dollar alternates gains with losses at the end of the week.

Ripple Price Forecast: XRP extends decline as returning ETF inflows fail to lift outlook
Ripple (XRP) falls below $1.33 on Friday, marking the third consecutive day of declines. The token continues to track the broader cryptocurrency market downturn, with investors closely monitoring heightened macroeconomic uncertainty ahead of the United States (US) Consumer Price Index (CPI) release and next week’s Federal Reserve (Fed) monetary policy decision.
Weekly focus – The hawks set the tone
Risky assets came under pressure this week as energy prices kept creeping higher and the ECB surprised the markets with a hawkish tone. The price of Brent crude touched USD 110 per barrel on Thursday night, highest since mid-May, as news emerged that the Yemeni Houthis had reached control of key port cities and islands near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Venezuela’s 65-billion-barrel Oil deal could reshape America’s inflation fight
The United States (US) has secured unprecedented access to part of Venezuela’s vast Oil reserves. The timing is particularly significant as the war with Iran is disrupting Middle Eastern supplies, keeping energy prices elevated and reviving concerns about inflation.