Based on the early price action, the momentum may be strong enough to send the market into the 50% level at $67.59, followed by the main top at $67.72. If the EIA report is bullish then we could see a spike through the top with $68.46 the next major upside target.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures are trading sharply higher shortly after the regular session opening. The upside momentum is being driven by a bullish American Petroleum Institute weekly inventories report, concerns over tighter supplies due to the U.S. sanctions against Iran and expectations of a bullish U.S. Energy Information Administration weekly inventory report at 1430 GMT.
At 1209 GMT, October WTI crude oil futures are trading $67.03, up $1.19 or +1.81%.
The main trend is down according to the daily swing chart. However, momentum is trending higher. A trade through $67.72 will change the main trend to up. A move through $63.89 will signal a resumption of the downtrend.
The minor trend is up. It turned up on Tuesday when buyers took out $65.76. This move also shifted momentum to the upside.
The main range is $71.29 to $63.89. Its retracement zone at $67.59 to $68.46 is the primary upside target. Sellers may show up on a test of this zone, however, the market may not break. It may just sit in a range.
Based on the early price action, the momentum may be strong enough to send the market into the 50% level at $67.59, followed by the main top at $67.72. If the EIA report is bullish then we could see a spike through the top with $68.46 the next major upside target.
If the EIA report is bearish and prices retreat, then the first downside target will be the steep uptrending Gann angle at $65.89. This angle has been guiding the market higher for four days. If it fails then sellers could come in hard with the next target angle coming in at $64.89.
James Hyerczyk is a U.S. based seasoned technical analyst and educator with over 40 years of experience in market analysis and trading, specializing in chart patterns and price movement. He is the author of two books on technical analysis and has a background in both futures and stock markets.