Odd things in the oil market, reminiscent of 2022 market top

Recently, more and more financial institutions have been upgrading their price targets for oil. Mostly, these forecasts were upward of $100 per barrel, with JP Morgan and some other financial entities forecasting prices as high as $150 in the coming months. About three weeks ago, we tweeted that these statements are very reminiscent of those made in the second quarter of 2022 when many of the same corporations upgraded their forecasts right at the market top (to $150, $200, etc., depending on the entity). While $100 per barrel could be in play if OPEC and OPEC+ (mainly referring to Saudi Arabia and Russia in this regard) manage to maintain production cuts and the U.S. stops releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserves, we are very skeptical about the ultra bullish calls out there.

The first reason for our view is that if the global economy continues slowing down and heads into recession, we will likely see oil demand falling. The second one, which surprises us, is that the Biden administration has not started filling up Strategic Petroleum Reserves despite planning to do so earlier this year (plus, despite oil falling below $70), which makes us wonder why the administration is not buying. Could it be that they completely miscalculated their game and missed the chance, or are they expecting a better opportunity to come (supposedly better than $64 per barrel)? We honestly do not know, but it is very odd, to say the least.

Illustration 1.01

The picture above shows the monthly chart of U.S. crude oil production. From the start of 2023 through June 2023, U.S. crude oil production has grown by more than 500,000 barrels per day (by more than 4%).

Illustration 1.02

Illustration 1.02 displays the daily chart of USOIL and simple support/resistance levels.

Technical analysis
Daily time frame = Bearish
Weekly time frame = Neutral

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DISCLAIMER: This analysis is not intended to encourage any buying or selling of any particular securities. Furthermore, it should not be a basis for taking any trade action by an individual investor. Therefore, your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.

Comment:

USOIL just broke below $86 per barrel; a failure to hold above the sloping support will bolster a bearish case in the short term.