The direction of the June WTI crude oil into the close is likely to be determined by trader reaction to $62.29.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures are trading lower late in the session on Tuesday as traders await the latest inventories news from the American Petroleum Institute (API) at 20:30 GMT.
Earlier in the session, the market pulled back from a one-month high, on fears that India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer, may impose restrictions as coronavirus infections and deaths soar in the country.
At 20:18 GMT, June WTI crude oil futures are trading $62.57, down $0.86 or -1.36%.
Crude prices rallied early after Libya declared force majeure on exports from the port of Hariga and said it could extend the measure to other facilities, citing a budget dispute.
Finally, the American Petroleum Institute’s report on U.S. supplies will be released at 20:30 GMT, with an expectation that U.S. crude stockpiles are expected to drop by 2.9 million barrels.
The main trend is down according to the daily swing chart. A trade through $64.38 will change the main trend to up. A move through $57.29 will signal a resumption of the downtrend.
The minor trend is down. In a volatile trade on Tuesday, the minor trend turned up early in the session, but turned down later.
The short-term range is $67.29 to $57.29. The market is currently testing its retracement zone at $62.29 to $63.47.
The minor range is $57.29 to $64.38. Its 50% level at $60.83 is potential support.
The main range is $51.04 to $67.29. Its retracement zone at $59.17 to $57.25 is major support. It’s also controlling the near-term direction of the market.
The direction of the June WTI crude oil into the close is likely to be determined by trader reaction to $62.29.
A sustained move over $62.29 will indicate the presence of buyers. This could trigger a rally into $63.47, followed by the main top at $64.38. This is a potential trigger point for an acceleration to the upside.
A sustained move under $62.20 will signal the presence of sellers. If this creates enough downside momentum then look for the selling to possibly extend into the pivot at $60.83. Buyers could come in on the first test of this level, but if it fails then look for the selling to possibly extend into $59.17 over the near-term.
James is a Florida-based technical analyst, market researcher, educator and trader with 35+ years of experience. He is an expert in the area of patterns, price and time analysis as it applies to futures, Forex, and stocks.