WTI Crude Oil Technical Analysis and Short-Term Forecast
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WTI crude oil is still trading in a tight range in the upper half of a wider trading range that began on April 9. The move up during the past couple of days negated a head and shoulders pattern and has sustained a close above the 50-day moving average. The wave formation calls for a continued rise, and settling above $64.0 will call for the $64.7 equal to (1.00) target of the wave up from $54.33 to finally be fulfilled. Settling above $64.7 will confirm a break higher out of the wide range, opening the way for $65.4 and higher.
Nevertheless, the 38 percent retracement of the decline from the $78.48 contract high at $63.6 was tested and held on a closing basis again today. This has been a resilient level of resistance that has been challenged a few times and continues to hold on a closing basis each time it is challenged. The $63.6 level is also in line with the 89 percent retracement of the decline from $64.19. Therefore, caution is warranted. Furthermore, a small double top around $63.89 has formed. This pattern would be confirmed by a close below the $62.19 swing low. Taking out $62.9 before overcoming the double top would call for a test of $62.2. Settling below $62.2 would shift the near-term odds in favor of testing the $61.2 smaller than (0.618) target of the wave down from $64.19 as prices fall to fulfill the $60.5 target of the double top.
