WTI Crude Oil: general review
Current trend
Yesterday WTI quotes dropped by over 3% to the level of 45.00 after it was announced that OPEC states had increased the volume of exported oil by 450K barrels to 25.92 mln barrels a day. The data from API released by the end of the trading session showed the decrease of US commercial reserves by 5.76 mln barrels a week. Investors reacted to it with active purchases of oil futures which helped WTI rate return to the level of 46.00.
Today market players are waiting for the official data from the US Department of Energy on weekly changes of oil reserves (17:00 GMT+2). They are expected to reduce by 2.283 mln barrels per week against growth by 0.118 mln barrels in the previous week. The confirmation of the forecast or bigger decrease than expected m support oil prices in the short term. If the data shows smaller reduction of reserves, oil quotes may resume falling.
Support and resistance
On the 4-hour chart, technical indicators show that the fall tendency remains: Bollinger Bands are directed downwards, and the volumes of MACD histogram are reducing in the positive zone. Downward movement may continue after the price consolidates below 45.51. In this case the sellers will try to drop the rate to 44.53-43.60. If the buyers manage to increase the rate above 46.11, growth may continue to 46.85.
Support levels: 45.51, 44.53, 43.60.
Resistance levels: 46.11, 46.85, 47.80.
Trading tips
Sell positions may be opened below 45.51 with targets at 44.53, 43.60 at stop-loss at 46.00.
Buy positions may be opened above the level of 46.11 with targets at 46.85, 47.80 and stop-loss at 45.70.