Crude oil took its cues from the DOE inventory report in Wednesday’s session, but volatility remains extremely low. Gold is exhibiting an interesting correlation.
Commodities - Energy
Crude Oil Falls on Bearish Inventory Data
Crude Oil (WTI) $76.53 -$0.03 -0.04%
Commentary: Crude oil is flat after shedding $0.88, or 1.14% on Wednesday. The primary catalyst for the move was the DOE inventory report, which was decidedly bearish. Gasoline and distillate inventories are now sitting at or near record seasonal levels. In the event refiners start cutting back utilization rates, and they have to if they are to get the current oversupply under control, crude oil demand will take a near-term hit.
Commentary: Crude oil is flat after shedding $0.88, or 1.14% on Wednesday. The primary catalyst for the move was the DOE inventory report, which was decidedly bearish. Gasoline and distillate inventories are now sitting at or near record seasonal levels. In the event refiners start cutting back utilization rates, and they have to if they are to get the current oversupply under control, crude oil demand will take a near-term hit.
Equity markets sold off steeply late in the afternoon on Wednesday after Fed Chairman Bernanke presented a cautious outlook of the economy to Congress in the semiannual report. While stock markets have not been making new lows in recent weeks, they are bouncing along the bottom, indicating that global economic slowdown concerns have not gone away.
Technical Outlook: Prices continue to consolidate inside a rising channel. Initial resistance stands at $78.40, the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the 5/3-5/20 downswing. Support is seen at 75.69, the 50% Fib.
Commodities - Metals
Gold Seesaws Lower
Gold $1186.15 +$1.10 +0.09%
Commentary: Gold lost 0.6% on Wednesday, as the metal continues to seesaw lower. Gold ETF holdings fell again, but not by nearly as much as was the case on Tuesday. Interestingly, gold price action in recent sessions has correlated with risk appetite, and the direction of U.S. equity markets in particular. Whether this new pattern continues remains to be seen.
Commentary: Gold lost 0.6% on Wednesday, as the metal continues to seesaw lower. Gold ETF holdings fell again, but not by nearly as much as was the case on Tuesday. Interestingly, gold price action in recent sessions has correlated with risk appetite, and the direction of U.S. equity markets in particular. Whether this new pattern continues remains to be seen.
Technical Outlook: Bullish follow-through has proved elusive after prices have put in a Piercing Line bullish candlestick formation above support at a rising trend line established from the swing bottom in early February. A bounce sees initial resistance at the $1200 figure, followed by a horizontal barrier at $1215.47. Alternatively, a break lower sees initial support at $1170.
Silver $17.67 +$0.01 +0.06%
Commentary: Silver is flat after falling modestly on Wednesday. There is little to get excited about with regard to silver. The metal remains rangebound with price action dictated by its more prominent cousin, gold.
Silver $17.67 +$0.01 +0.06%
Commentary: Silver is flat after falling modestly on Wednesday. There is little to get excited about with regard to silver. The metal remains rangebound with price action dictated by its more prominent cousin, gold.
Technical Outlook: Unchanged from yesterday: “Prices have formed a descending triangle chart formation above support at $17.45. This setup is typically a continuation pattern, hinting further gains ahead. That said, it also carries a negative connotation and may hint at an emerging bearish bias.” A break below support exposes at the $17.00 figure, while a rebound sees initial resistance at $18.68.
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