Get 40% Off
🤯 Perficient is up a mind-blowing 53%. Our ProPicks AI saw the buying opportunity in March.Read full update

Crude Oil - Back to Normal?

Published 17/03/2021, 14:33

After closing another week on the global oil markets, we took some time to reflect upon the past week. We recognised that our two benchmark oils did not completely skyrocket on late Friday evening, pushing through our resistance zones. Accordingly, Brent and WTI started much more relaxed into the weekend and were rather relaxed to the start of the current week. Although this market is a relatively dynamic one, compared to other markets, the movements were predominantly bearish, which is a good sign! For months now, the oil prices are continuously increasing, which is more than normal, as we are facing the theoretical end of the Corona Pandemic, which spurs hopes that we might return to normality. Therefore, the collapsed demand is recovering, as expectations rise that the normal economic life is going to continue relatively soon. In addition to that, the global oil reserves are steadily depleting. This means that in the long-run, there is only one way: UP! However, a market never develops linearly. Even in such bullish set-ups, bearish movements are necessary to balance the development and prevent the market from overheating, as is the case with crude oils. Currently, we are expecting such a correction.

At the beginning of last week, the Brent oil was below the support line of $67.68. Would it have stayed below this mark, we would have had an assurance that the peak at $71.36 marked the end of the wave 3 in green, but it did not stay there for long. With the start of the new week, the price moved down again and crossed the support line at $67.68 a second time. We expect the Brent price to consolidate itself below that mark, as this is an important step that the course develops following our primary expectation. Here, we see a further declining price, which should ultimately fall under $62.36 as well. Even prices below $58 are thinkable in such a scenario before making a big turnaround to tackle the $80 mark.

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or remove ads .

We expect the WTI to follow suit. The North American crude oil only slightly crossed its first support at $63.81, did not come back as strong as Brent and did not yet manage to fall under $63.81 a second time, which we, however, believe will happen. Nonetheless, we primarily expect the price to drop and also cross the second support at $57.27 in the way down. Our expected target for the following upward movement for WTI is also above $80.

Because of its heavily bullish orientation, both crudes are equipped with a 30% chance of an alternative breakout up North. This alternative scenario is relevant, as long as prices for both do not surely remain under their first support line (Brent: $67.68; WTI: $63.81). The alternative scenario turns into our primary scenario once the crudes break out above $71.36 and $67.98, respectively. Until then, these marks can be used to place stops, although we are in an overall bullish market over the mid and long-run. However, since we expect a slightly more significant correction, we want to allow you to place a relevant stop to profit from this movement.

Brent 2h Chart
Brent Oil Technical Analysis

WTI 2h Chart
WTI Oil Technical Analysis

To Summarise, both crudes should decline in their respective prices over the short-run. In order to push an alternative upward movement into the periphery, the crudes need to consolidate their prices below their first support lines of $67.68 (Brent) and $63.81 (WTI). Until then, it is important to stay away from $71.36 and $67.98, respectively.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.