Signs of Weakened US Demand Causes Oil Prices to Drop
The price of crude oil fell more than $0.70 a barrel during the European session yesterday, amid signs that demand in the US is weakening. As the world’s leading consuming country, demand for oil in the US tends to have a significant overall impact on prices. By the beginning of evening trading yesterday, the commodity had dropped as low as $87.10.
Today, oil traders will want to pay attention to the US Crude Oil Inventories figure, set to be released at 15:30 GMT. Analysts are forecasting that US inventories increased by around 400,000 barrels last week, which if true, would be a sign that demand has gone down and could result in additional bearish movement for crude.
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January crude oil closed lower on Wednesday but the high-range close sets
the stage for a steady to higher opening when Thursday's night session begins.
Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral to bearish signaling that sideways
to lower prices are possible near-term. If January renews the decline off
September's high, the 87% retracement level of the June-September rally
crossing at 82.36 is the next downside target. Closes above the reaction high
crossing at 89.67 are needed to confirm that a short-term low has been posted.
First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 89.67. Second resistance is
the reaction high crossing at 93.98. First support is the 75% retracement level
of the June-September rally crossing at 85.06. Second support is the 87%
retracement level of the June-September rally crossing at 82.36.

