Crude Oil Price Forecast – September 15, 2020

WTI Crude Oil Technical Analysis and Short-Term Forecast

WTI crude oil broke higher out of an intra-day coil pattern (dark blue dotted lines) and settled the day above the $38.1 smaller than (0.618) target of the primary wave up from $36.13 (red). The $38.1 level was also the midpoint of the September 8 candlestick. This was positive for the near-term outlook and calls for a test of $39.0 tomorrow. However, $39.0 will likely hold.

The $39.0 objective is extremely important for the near-term outlook because it is the equal to (1.00) target of the primary wave up from $36.13 (red) and the 38 percent retracement of the decline from $43.78 (pink). Settling above this would warn that the recent move down might already be complete and would call for a test of $40.0 and higher.

WTI Crude Oil - $0.35 Kase Bar Chart
WTI Crude Oil – $0.35 Kase Bar Chart

Nevertheless, aside from today’s move up, the rise from $36.13 has been extremely shallow and choppy. Therefore, this move is most likely corrective. Additionally, the move up from $36.13 could form a bearish flag pattern if $39.0 holds. This is because a trend line parallel to the lower trend line of the coil (gray dotted line) will intersect with $39.0 tomorrow.

Once $39.0 is met, odds for a test of $37.6 will increase. Holding $39.0 and settling below $37.6 will confirm that a flag is forming and will call for a test of $37.1. This is currently the 62 percent retracement of the rise from $36.13 and is in line with the potential flag’s lower trend line. Settling below $37.1 will call for another test of $36.0.

Granted, $36.0 was and still is, major support for the longer-term outlook. Therefore, the move down might be complete. However, the fate of WTI’s near-term outlook will be determined by holding or closing above $39.0 tomorrow.

Brent Crude Oil Technical Analysis and Short-Term Forecast

Brent formed a double bottom around $39.3 that will be confirmed by a close above the $41.20 swing high. The target of the double bottom is $43.1. Based on the waves up from $39.30, Brent should rise to $41.3 tomorrow. However, an immediate close above this (and the $41.20 swing high) will likely be a challenge because $41.3 is the 100-day moving average.

Once $41.3 is met, odds for a test of $39.9 will rise. Settling below $39.9 would imply that a rectangle pattern is forming instead of a double bottom. This pattern would be bearish for the outlook rather than bullish. In this case, odds would shift in favor of testing $39.3, a close below which would call for the move down from $46.61 to continue.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Short-Term Price Forecast

WTI crude oil fell as called for in this week’s Kase Commentary on Crude Oil but has reached the crucial $36.0 objective much faster than anticipated. The $36.0 objective is split between the $36.11 larger than (1.618) target of the primary wave down from $43.78 and the $35.94 38 percent retracement of the rise from $23.26. Meeting this objective so quickly signals that a much deeper test of support than previously expected may unfold. However, because the move down stalled at $36.13 today, a test of resistance is expected first.

WTI Crude Oil – $0.35 Kase Bar Chart

Based on the small wave up from $36.13, WTI should rise to at least $37.4 and likely $38.1 early tomorrow. These are the equal to (1.00) and larger than targets, respectively. The $38.1 level is also today’s midpoint and is expected to hold. Rising above this will call for key resistance at $39.4. This is the highest the wave up from $36.13 projects and is near today’s open. Closing above $39.4 is doubtful but would call for $40.0 and possibly higher and signal that the corrective move down might already be complete.

Once $37.4 is met, odds for another test of support around $35.9 will increase. Falling below $36.36 will invalidate the wave up from $36.13 that calls for $37.34 and higher. This would also call for a test of $35.9, a close below which will clear the way for $35.0 and lower.

Brent Crude Oil Short-Term Price Forecast

Brent fell as expected but has challenged the $39.1 objective sooner than predicted. Nonetheless, odds favor a continued decline and a move below $39.4 will call for $38.8 and lower.

That said, the move down stalled just above the crucial $39.1 area and the wave up from $39.31 implies that a test of $40.3 and probably $40.9 will take place first. Resistance at $40.9 is expected to hold. Key Resistance is $42.1, a close above which will clear the way for $43.0 and higher.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Short-Term Price Forecast

The outlook for WTI crude oil continues to lean negative. WTI settled below the 200-day moving average for the fourth straight day after another early test of resistance. This has formed long upper shadows on the daily candlesticks for the last three days, all of which form shooting star. Granted, shooting stars within a range-bound market are not as reliable as those that form after a long uptrend, but they still reflect near-term weakness.

Nevertheless, WTI settled back above the 20-day moving average today and is still trading in the upper half of the Bollinger Bands, which are squeezing again. There is also a bullish coil that formed on the intra-day charts for the past few days.

WTI Crude Oil – $0.35 Kase Bar

The near-term call remains a challenge, but odds still favor an eventual break lower. Closing below $42.3 will clear the way for the key objective at $41.5. This is a highly confluent wave projection and the 50-day moving average. Settling below $41.5 will confirm a break lower out of the Bollinger Bands and clear the way for a much deeper correction before the move up eventually continues.

Conversely, prices have risen a bit after today’s settle, so there is a good chance for a test of $43.3 first. This is the smaller than (0.618) target of the wave up from $42.56 and connects to $43.8. This level is expected to hold. Key resistance and the barrier for a near-term bullish outlook is $44.2. Settling above $44.2 would be a strong indication that a much larger move up is underway.

Brent Crude Oil Short-Term Price Forecast

Brent crude oil settled back above the 20-day moving average today, but the waves down from $46.54 continue to call for a deeper test of support. Falling below $45.0 will open the way for at least $44.2. This is in line with the 50-day moving average and the $44.17 swing low. Settling below $44.2 would strongly indicate that a much larger correction is beginning to unfold.

Trading will likely remain choppy for the near-term though. Resistance at $46.2 is expected to hold and $46.7 is key. Settling above $46.7, which is near the 200-day moving average and the 50 percent retracement of the decline from $66.15, would imply that prices have finally broken higher out of the upward sloping range. This would be quite bullish for the long-term outlook.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Short-Term Price Forecast

WTI crude oil rose toward the upper end of the range it has been trading in for the past several weeks. The crucial $43.4 target discussed in this week’s Commentary and yesterday’s update was challenged. This level held on a closing basis. However, WTI’s $43.35 settle was four ticks above the 200-day moving average. Therefore, the outlook leans positive headed into tomorrow.

There is immediate resistance near the $43.68 swing high, but the waves up from $39.0 and $41.33 now call for a test of $44.2. Settling above this will call for $44.6 and then $46.0.

WTI Crude Oil - $0.35 Kase Bar Chart
WTI Crude Oil – $0.35 Kase Bar Chart

That said, caution is warranted. The move up has been supported by the rise in product prices for the past few days, most specifically by gasoline. Gasoline had the least negative outlook coming into the week and has likely been driven higher because of supply fears caused by hurricane Laura. Even so, gasoline pulled back this afternoon and formed a long-upper shadow. This suggests its move up might be short-lived. Should gasoline continue to fall tomorrow, WTI will be hard-pressed to overcome $44.2. Therefore, gasoline, and to a smaller degree, diesel, will probably determine the direction of WTI during the next few days.

For WTI, falling below $42.7 will imply that a test of $42.2 support is underway. The $42.2 level is near the 62 percent retracement of the rise from $41.33, the smaller than (0.618) target of the wave down from $43.68, and the 20-day moving average. Closing below this would call for key support at $41.2. This is the equal to (1.00) target and 50-day moving average. Settling below $41.2 would clear the way for a much larger test of support before the move up continues.

Brent Crude Oil Short-Term Price Forecast

Brent rose to the top of its trading range and settled above the $45.6 level discussed in yesterday’s update. The move up is now in a position to break higher out of the range and reach $46.4. This is the smaller than (0.618) target of the primary wave up from $41.72 and is marginally below the 200-day moving average. Settling above $46.4 will clear the way for $46.9 and higher.

Nevertheless, as discussed for WTI, the degree to which Brent rises during the next few days (and possibly longer) will largely be determined by gasoline and diesel prices. Should they continue to fall, Brent’s move up will be short-lived.

For now, initial support at $45.1 will likely hold. Falling below this will call for $44.4, which then connects to key support at $43.5. Settling below $43.5 will clear the way for a much more significant downward correction before Brent’s move up continues.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Short-Term Price Forecast

WTI crude oil continues to trade in a choppy range that is bound within the upper half of the Bollinger Bands. A Bollinger squeeze trade setup in place, and because prices are trading above the 20-day moving average there is a good chance for a break higher out of the seven week-long upward sloping trading range. However, many bearish technical factors continue to call for a break lower out of the range and for a deeper correction before the move up ultimately continues.

In addition, today’s wave structure suggests that WTI will fall to challenge at least $42.3 early tomorrow. This is the equal to (1.00) target of the wave down from $43.29 and the 50 percent retracement of the rise from $41.33. Taking out $42.3 will call for a test of key near-term support at $41.8. This is the larger than target (1.618) of the wave down from $43.29, the smaller than (0.618) target of the wave down from $43.68, and is in line with the 20-day moving average.

WTI Crude Oil – $0.35 Kase Bar Chart

Based on recent trading patterns, settling below $41.8 may be a challenge, but this would clear the way for a test of $40.6. This is near the equal to target of the wave down from $43.68, the 50-day moving average, and the lower Bollinger band. Settling below $40.6 would confirm a break lower out of the trading range and clear the way for a much more significant test of support before the move up continues.

Nevertheless, should $42.3 hold early tomorrow there is still a good chance for a test of crucial resistance at $43.5. This is just above the upper Bollinger band and is in line with the 200-day moving average. Settling above $43.5 would call for $44.2, which then connects to $44.7 and $46.1.

Brent Crude Oil Short-Term Price Forecast

Brent crude oil is trading in the upper half of the Bollinger Bands, so there is still a good chance for a break higher out of the recent trading range. However, the wave formation for the past few days call for a test of $44.4 first. This is an important wave projection and retracement that is also in line with the 20-day moving average. Settling below $44.4 will call for a test of $43.8 and possibly $43.1. The $43.1 target is in line with the bottom Bollinger band and the 50-day moving average. Closing below this would call for a much more significant test of support before the move up ultimately continues.

Conversely, should $44.4 hold, look for a test of $45.7. This is near the upper Bollinger band. Settling above $45.7 would confirm a break higher and call for $46.4 and then $46.9. The latter level is in line with the 200-day moving average and is the barrier for a much more bullish outlook in the coming weeks.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial

WTI Short-Term Price Forecast

The near-term outlook for WTI crude oil leans bearish. Today’s initial move up stalled at the 78 percent retracement of the decline from $43.52. The subsequent move down formed another long upper shadow on the daily candlestick chart. The body of today’s candlestick is too big to be a shooting star, but the price action is still bearish. Also, WTI took out the 62 percent retracement of the rise from $41.06. These factors, weekly reversal pattern setups, recently confirmed daily bearish momentum divergences, and the wave formation down from $43.52 call for a deeper test of support.

The primary wave down from $43.52 is poised to meet its $41.42 smaller than (0.618) target. This is bearish for the near-term outlook because most waves that meet the smaller than target extend to the equal to (1.00) target, in this case, $40.5. The $40.5 level is crucial because this is the 62 percent retracement of the rise from $38.72. Settling below this will call for a move below $40.0 and the 50-day moving average to challenge $39.5 and possibly $39.0, the intermediate (1.382) and larger than (1.618) targets, respectively. The $39.0 objective is a likely stalling point because this is also the 21 percent retracement of the move up from $21.99.

WTI Crude Oil – $0.35 Kase Bar Chart with KEES and KaseTrend

Nevertheless, the 21-day moving average around $41.3 has been strong support for the past few days. Therefore, because this is near the $41.42 smaller than target of the wave down from $43.52 a test of resistance will probably take place first. Resistance at $42.5 is expected to hold and $43.4 is key. Settling above $43.4 will call for WTI to challenge $43.9. This is a highly confluent wave projection that is also in line with the 200-day moving average. Because of this, a deeper test of support is expected before overcoming $43.9.

Brent Short-Term Price Forecast

Brent crude oil stalled at $45.79 today and the subsequent move down took out the smaller than (0.618) target of the primary wave down from $46.23. Therefore, Brent is poised to reach $43.9 tomorrow. This is the equal to (1.00) target, the 50 percent retracement of the rise from $41.72, and is in line with the 21-day moving average. The $43.9 target may prove to be a stalling point, but a close below this will clear the way for $43.3 and possibly $42.7 during the next couple of days.

Odds for a test of resistance will rise once $43.9 is met. However, resistance around $45.3 is expected to hold. Overcoming $45.3 will call for a test of key resistance at $45.9. This then connects to $46.5 and $47.1.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial

WTI Crude Oil Price Forecast

The near-term outlook for WTI crude oil is bullish again after today’s move up overcame the 62 percent retracement of the decline from $42.51 and the $41.93 swing high. Most importantly, WTI challenged the smaller than (0.618) target of the primary wave up from $37.32. Waves that meet their smaller than target typically extend to their equal to (1.00) target, in this case, $44.0. Therefore, odds now favor a continued rise toward $44.0, which is also the 200-day moving average. Once $44.0 is met another test of support is anticipated.

WTI Crude Oil – $0.50 Kase Bar Chart

Nevertheless, the $42.0 area is a highly confluent technical objective. Therefore, WTI should test support early tomorrow. There is immediate support at $41.4, but the more important level is $40.8. This is the 38 percent retracement of the move up from $38.72 and is expected to hold.

Falling below $40.8 will call for a test of key support at $39.9. This is split between the 62 percent retracement and the smaller than target of the wave own form $42.51. For the move up to extend to $44.0 during the next few days as expected $39.9 must hold. Closing below this will clear the way for $39.0 and likely $38.3.

Brent Crude Oil Price Forecast

Brent crude oil is poised to reach $45.0. This is the smaller than (0.618) target of the wave up from $39.94 and the equal to (1.00) target of the first wave up from $41.72. This is a potential stalling point because it is also in line with the $45.07 swing high. Nonetheless, based on larger waves, once $45.0 is met odds will favor an eventual move to $46.9 before another major test of support.

Immediate support for tomorrow is $44.2 and then $43.7. The latter is expected to hold. Key support is $42.9. This is the 62 percent retracement of the rise from $41.72 and the smaller than target of the wave down from $45.07. Closing below $42.9 will shift near-term odds back in favor of a deeper test of support before the move up continues.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial

WTI Crude Oil Price Forecast

The long-term outlook for WTI crude oil is bullish. However, WTI continues to trade in a very erratic and indecisive manner in the near-term. The move up looks exhausted and some technical patterns and signals suggest a sizable test of support should take place before the move up continues. However, as prices have risen to new highs prior swing lows have held. This is the most basic definition of an uptrend. Also, the 21-day moving average continues to hold on a closing basis.

Realistically, the near-term outlook for WTI is neutral. Even so, today’s decline shifts odds nominally in favor of a test of $40.5 and possibly $39.9 tomorrow. These are the smaller than (0.618) and equal to (1.00) targets of the compound wave down from $42.51, respectively. Closing below $40.5 will also take out the 21-day moving average and a close below $39.9 will take out the last swing low of $39.97. This will also increase odds for a deeper correction to $39.2 and possibly $38.6 during the next few days.

WTI Crude Oil – $0.35 Kase Bar Chart

Conversely, each time WTI has looked as though it will break lower prices have turned higher and risen to a modest new high shortly thereafter. Therefore, caution is warranted. Resistance at $41.9 is expected to hold. A move above this would invalidate the wave down from $42.51 that projects to $40.5 and lower. This would also call for WTI to rise to a new high of at least $42.8 before another major test of support takes place.

Brent Crude Oil Price Forecast

Brent’s near-term outlook leans neutral-to-negative and the move down is poised to challenge at least $43.0. Closing below this will call for $42.1 and possibly lower.

Nevertheless, the 21-day moving average held again today and the move down has been extremely choppy. Therefore, the decline is most likely corrective. Should Brent overcome the $44.34 intra-day swing high look for the move up to extend to $45.3 before another significant test of support takes place.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Price Forecast

Today’s move up was bullish for the outlook of WTI crude oil. The August contract settled above $41.2 and September closed above $41.5. This finally confirmed a break higher out of a weeks-long narrowing trading range and clears the way for the next leg of the move up toward at least $42.6, likely $43.5, and possibly $44.3 during the next few days.

The $42.6 objective is the equal to (1.00) target of the primary wave up from $37.32. Today’s move up stalled just below $42.6, so settling above this will clear the way for $43.5. This is a moderately confluent wave projection and, most importantly, is in line with the 200-day moving average on the continuation chart. Therefore, $43.5 may be a stalling point.

Nonetheless, based on September’s wave formation, once September WTI settles above $42.6 there is a good chance for $44.3. This is the intermediate (1.382) target and is also in line with September’s 200-day moving average.

WTI Crude Oil – $0.35 Kase Bar Chart

Either way, there is a lot of important resistance between $43.5 and $44.3. Therefore, another reasonably significant test of support is expected before WTI settles above $44.3.

There is also a good chance for a test of $40.8 early tomorrow before the move up continues. This is because today’s long upper shadow suggests traders remain hesitant to keep risk on overnight. This move down from $42.51 was likely profit-taking but formed a wave that projects to $40.8 as the larger than (1.618) target. This is also today’s open. Support at $40.8 must hold for the move up to extend above $42.6 during the next few days. Falling below $40.8 will call for key near-term support at $39.9. Settling below $39.9 would shift near-term odds in favor of $39.3 and possibly $38.2.

Brent Crude Oil Price Forecast

Brent finally settled above $43.9 and broke higher out of its recent trading range. The move up is poised to reach $45.0, a close above which would call for $45.7 and likely $46.4. The $46.4 objective is the most confluent wave projection. Therefore, another small test of support is expected once $46.4 is met.

The decline at the end of the day formed a long upper shadow on the daily candlestick. This was likely profit-taking but suggests traders remain nervous about the prospects for a larger move up in the coming days. There is also a small wave down from $44.89 that projects to $43.2. This is in line with today’s open and is expected to hold. Key support is $42.3, a close below which would call for $41.7 and likely $40.7.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.

WTI Crude Oil Price Forecast

WTI crude oil has traded in a narrowing range that likely forms a bullish coil after stalling at $41.08 late last week. Most trend indicators on the daily chart still lean bullish and the wave formations continue to call for another test of $41.2 after holding support near $39.2 today. This is because the most recent wave up from $38.54 met its smaller than (0.618) target this afternoon. Most waves that meet the smaller than target extend to at least their equal to (1.00) target, in this case, $41.2.

The $41.2 objective has been resilient resistance for the past few weeks. It is the most confluent wave projection for the August contract and is in line with the March 9 gap down from $41.05 on the continuation chart. Settling above $41.2 will be quite bullish for the near-term outlook, clearing the way for $42.5 and likely higher.

WTI Crude Oil – $0.65 Kase Bar Chart

Nevertheless, during the past few weeks, each time WTI looks as though it is ready to overcome $41.2 the move up stalls. Therefore, caution is warranted as it will likely take help from external factors for WTI to finally settle above $41.2 and make the push for the next leg of the larger scale move up.

Conversely, should WTI fall below $39.5, the coil will break lower and the move down should then extend to at least $38.8 and likely $38.2. Support at $38.2 is key for the near-term because it is the smaller than target of the wave down from $41.63. Closing below this will open the way for an extended downward correction to $36.5 and possibly lower.

Brent Crude Oil Price Forecast

Brent is trading in a sideways narrowing range that forms a bullish coil. Odds favor a break higher out of the coil and a test of $43.9. This is the most confluent objective and a key target because a close above $43.9 will clear the way for the next leg of the move up to $45.2 and higher.

Nonetheless, during the past few weeks, each time Brent is poised to challenge $43.9 the move up has stalled. Should Brent fall below $42.0 first the coil will break lower and odds will shift in favor of $41.0. This is the smaller than (0.618) target of the primary wave down from $43.97 and connects to $39.4 and lower.

This is a brief analysis for the next day or so. Our weekly Crude Oil Forecast and daily updates are much more detailed and thorough energy price forecasts that cover WTI, Brent, RBOB Gasoline, Diesel, and spreads. If you are interested in learning more, please sign up for a complimentary four-week trial.