Crude Oil Price Forecast: Converging Support Levels Halt Oil Slide — For Now

Resistance following this week’s high of $69.46 led to a two-day bearish reversal in crude oil on Thursday. A sharp drop to a low of $66.91 for the day established a potential higher swing low and a successful test of support at both an uptrend line. An AVWAP level (light blue) measured from the January swing high confirmed the support zone.

Furthermore, the decline completed a 78.6% Fibonacci retracement of the most recent upswing. It is interesting to note that the AVWAP line converged with the trendline today, showing a timing element. The price zone was not touched until the lines converged. Similar relationships can occur with moving average lines.

Support Confluence

When the indicators come together in a similar price area, the potential for it to hold as support increases. Nonetheless, further evidence is needed to support the movement towards either a bullish reversal or a bearish trendline break. Regarding the AVWAP level, it was clearly recognized as resistance during the April counter-trend bull rally. And notice that it was recognized on the way up for a day on June 10 and then again for five days following the $65.02 higher swing low in June.

Above $69.46 Needed for Bulls

The 20-Day MA (purple) has marked an area of trend resistance since the June 24 low. Since it is now close to this week’s high of $69.46, a breakout above that level is needed for a bullish signal and likely continuation of the counter-trend rally. In addition, the 200-Day MA is marking resistance this week as well as the four times the line was touched or exceeded ended with a daily close below it. Higher potential targets start with the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $70.14 and a 50% retracement level at $71.73.

Potential Bear Flag

Despite the potential for a bullish reversal from trendline support, there is also a potential bearish flag pattern that has formed. The past couple of weeks. Since a bearish trigger for the flag, as it is currently configured, would occur on a drop below today’s low. That would also trigger the several other support levels noted above and could lead to an acceleration in bearish momentum.

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