Oil prices could continue higher over the next week or so, but we’re cautious about the possibility that yesterday’s rally has difficulty being maintained. The market may gain support from signs of improved economic conditions following PMI data in China and the U.S., the breakout in S&Ps to 2 1/2 month highs, signs of fund buying in COT data, and the military exercises being conducted by Iran
The sharp drop in energy markets on Friday was a demonstration of the influence that economic issues in Washington can exert on oil prices. Near-term trading direction will thus be influenced one way or the other by what happens with fiscal cliff negotiations over the weekend and between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays
It’s difficult to say that yesterday’s rally and breakout above the 50-day MA in WTI and Brent will create an environment of bullish euphoria in the near-term, because the same conditions have played themselves out several times in the last two months.
Daily Energy Report – The oil markets may trade higher again in the near-term, however, the fundamental picture still remains somewhat weak at the moment.
WTI futures bumped up against resistance from the 50-day MA at the day’s high yesterday, but the rally was assisted by favorable news on the Seaway pipeline and some progress made on the fiscal cliff. A breakout above the 50-day will likely require further progress on cliff negotiations as well as signs of economic growth and improving oil fundamentals.
Oil markets may continue their sideways trend this week, as the trade continues to face pressure from a lack of progress on the fiscal cliff. Background pressure will remain in effect from growing domestic oil production, elevated oil inventories, and last week’s hold at the 50-day moving averages in Brent and WTI.
Oil prices created an inside-day in WTI yesterday and both Brent and WTI again had trouble with their 50-day moving averages. Those technicals may offer pressure again in today’s trade, where the market will also be weighed down by continued growth in U.S. oil production, growth in oil stocks, building gasoline inventories, and generally weak demand.
The market appears as though it will trade to the downside in the near-term thanks to Monday’s break of key channel support and due to the inability to maintain rallies. Pressure may also come from a lack of progress in fiscal cliff talks, the potential that OPEC leaves production unchanged at today’s meeting, building levels of U.S. gasoline stocks, and high levels of U.S. oil production.
This week’s trade in energies could see a mixed trend overall, but selling rallies may still be the most attractive trade at the moment. WTI will find key resistance at the 50-day moving average at $88.20 while strong support will be at the bottom of a bullish flag pattern at $86.20. A busy week is in store, as the weekend’s Chinese economic and trade data will be digested on Monday.
The oil market is a tough call today and could potentially rebound amid channel line support and today’s non-farm payroll report. The channel offers support at $86.10/bbl in WTI, while we think that the payroll report could be spun favorably even if it misses estimates due to superstorm Sandy.
