Oil Price Outlook: Crude Crushed – Trade Levels To Know For WTI

Crude Oil prices have plummeted more than 8% from the monthly highs registered last week with the decline now approaching initial support targets- we’re looking for a reaction off one of these levels for guidance. Here are the updated targets and invalidation levels that matter on the Crude Oil (WTI) charts heading into the close of the week. Review my latest Weekly Strategy Webinar for an in-depth breakdown of this setup and more.

OIL DAILY PRICE CHART (WTI)

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Technical Outlook: In my last Oil Price Outlook we noted that the immediate decline was at risk as Crude was approaching a key support zone, “at 60.06- a break / close below this threshold is needed to suggest a more significant high is place”. A sharp reversal early in the month fueled a rally back into confluence resistance at 63.43/68 - a turn off this zone this week is now breaking below the 200-day moving average, the 2018 open and the monthly opening-range lows at 60.06/22 – the risks remains for further losses for oil prices while below this threshold.

Immediate downside targets are quickly approaching at the late-March low at 58.19 and a more significant support confluence at 57.24/36- a region defined by the 100% extension of the April decline and the 38.2% retracement of the December advance. Look for a bigger reaction there IF reached with a weekly close below needed to keep the immediate short-bias viable targeting 55.53. Daily resistance now stands back at 60.06/22.

OIL 120MIN PRICE CHART (WTI)

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Notes: A closer look at price action shows oil trading within the confines of a near-term descending pitchfork formation extending off the recent highs with a clear break of the weekly opening-range yesterday sparking the decline. A break below the 60.06/22 saw price accelerate lower with the sell-off now targeting initial support objects at the lower parallels. The focus is lower while below the median-line with bearish invalidation set to highlighted slope confluence around 61.65.

Bottom line: Crude prices are approaching key support objectives that could interrupt the current sell-off. From a trading standpoint, look to reduce short-exposure / lower protective stops on a move towards the lower targets and be on the lookout for possible price exhaustion heading into the lower parallels. Ultimately, I’ll favor fading strength sub-60 with a break / close below 57.24needed to fuel the next leg lower. Review my Top 2019 Trading Opportunities for a look at the longer-term Crude Oil outlook.

CRUDE OIL TRADER SENTIMENT

• A summary of IG Client Sentiment shows traders are net-long Crude Oil- the ratio stands at +1.41 (58.5% of traders are long) – weak bearish reading
• Long positions are12.9% higher than yesterday and 30.4% higher from last week
• Short positions are22.5% lower than yesterday and 30.5% lower from last week
• We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Crude Oil prices may continue to fall. Traders are further net-long than yesterday & last week, and the combination of current positioning and recent changes gives us a stronger Crude Oil-bearish contrarian trading bias from a sentiment standpoint.