There was a relief rally in the APAC and early European sessions on Monday following OPEC’s December output increase in line with November but specifically because it said it would keep quotas unchanged in Q1, a time of soft demand. Oil then trended lower reaching a trough following the disappointing US manufacturing ISM, which may suggest slower growth and thus also energy demand.
- WTI is flat at $61.00/bbl off the low of $60.51 reached when the ISM printed at 48.7 down from 49.1, a small rise had been expected. It made a high of $61.50 earlier, below resistance at $62.59. The bear trigger is at $55.96.
- Brent rose 0.1% to $64.86/bbl off the intraday trough of $64.33. It reached a peak of $65.32, just below initial resistance at $65.98, 9 October high. Initial support is at $63.37, 24 October low.
- The market has been range trading as uncertainty remains elevated. There are currently significant seaborne flows in line with increased production. However, Ukraine’s attacks on Russian facilities may impact supply. It struck a tanker in the Black Sea and damaged port infrastructure at Tuapse.
- The outlook for 2026 is unclear with OPEC pausing the unwinding of output cuts in Q1 and most members facing capacity constraints. Lower prices are discouraging US shale producers. The IEA expects a record oil surplus next year which could also drive production cuts.
- On the demand side, there is a structural decline but the impact of increased protectionism on the global economy remains unclear. However, sanctions on Russian majors Lukoil and Rosneft appear to be reducing demand for Russian crude as buyers look to other suppliers.