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Oil Price Fundamental Weekly Forecast – Traders Eyeing US Supply Volatility, COVID-Related Demand Concerns

By:
James Hyerczyk
Published: Mar 8, 2021, 06:08 UTC

If the U.S. doesn’t contain the virus and cases start spiking higher again then prices may start to weaken because of renewed demand concerns.

WTI and Brent Crude Oil

In this article:

After a weak start last week on expected production hikes by OPEC+, U.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark Brent crude oil jumped higher following the decision by OPEC+, not to increase oil output, except to Russia and Kazakhstan.

The real surprise for traders was the discipline that OPEC and its allies displayed in showing adherence to its long-term plan to tighten supply and drive prices higher.

Furthermore, they showed great restraint in keeping output levels low in the wake of impressive vaccination numbers from the United States. Traders also shrugged off weaker demand numbers from China earlier in the week and a jump in the U.S. Dollar.

Last week, May WTI crude oil settled at $65.92, up $4.69 or +7.66% and May Brent crude oil finished at $69.36, up $4.94 or +7.12%.

On paper, the government’s crude oil inventories report was bearish, but traders know the numbers were skewed by the Texas Freeze two weeks ago so it will take some time to get a true feel for U.S. supply.

Bullish traders also received a gift from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who on Thursday, indicated he wasn’t rattled by a jump in U.S. Treasury yields on expectations of a surge in inflation. Powell said the Fed would stay the course and would not change policy sooner-than-expected.

Finally, the U.S. government reported a bigger-than-expected jump in Non-Farm Payrolls for February. This is early proof the economy is recovering, which also indicates that demand would likely increase at least over the short-term.

Weekly Forecast

With OPEC+ not likely to have an impact on prices until early May, the focus now shifts back to vaccinations, containment of the virus and U.S. supply. These are the factors likely to drive the price action this week.

As far as the vaccinations are concerned, the U.S. is making tremendous progress in the administration of vaccines. Last week, President Biden even said there would be enough vaccines available for every U.S. adult. This is a positive for future demand.

The containment of the virus is another thing, however. According to reports, major challenges stand in the way with some Americans ditching personal responsibility and forgoing masks, even as a highly contagious B.1.1.7 variant is spreading to at least 46 states and Washington, D.C.

“That strain is increasing exponentially. It’s spiking up,” said Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious diseases specialist and epidemiologist. “So we are probably right now on a tipping point of another surge.

The current rate of vaccinations might not be fast enough to fend off a major B.1.1.7 surge in the coming weeks.

The U.S. shouldn’t loosen coronavirus restrictions until daily new cases fall below 10,000, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

If the U.S. doesn’t contain the virus and cases start spiking higher again then prices may start to weaken because of renewed demand concerns. This is one of the reasons why OPEC+ did not vote to raise production in April. They are confident in the COVID-19 numbers yet.

Finally, last week, the government reported crude oil stockpiles surged by a record of more than 21 million barrels the week-ending February 26 as refining plunged to an all-time low due to the Texas freeze that knocked out power for millions. Gasoline and distillate inventories also fell sharply.

Look for the numbers to possibly swing sharply back in the other direction over the near-term. This could be a source of volatility in the markets over the near-term.

For a look at all of today’s economic events, check out our economic calendar.

About the Author

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.

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