Select Language

WTI falls to near $61.00, weekly gains capped by global oversupply concerns

Breaking news

WTI falls to near $61.00, weekly gains capped by global oversupply concerns

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS
New update 2025.05.16 16:39
WTI falls to near $61.00, weekly gains capped by global oversupply concerns

update 2025.05.16 16:39

  • WTI set for weekly gains due to renewed optimism over US-China trade deal, but upside capped by supply concerns.
  • The initial US-China trade agreement helped ease demand worries from the world's top two Oil consumers.
  • A possible US-Iran nuclear deal could result in sanctions relief and may add approximately 400,000 barrels per day to global supply.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil price continues its losing streak for the third successive session, trading around 61.10 per barrel during the early European hours on Friday. However, crude Oil prices are set for a modest weekly gain, supported by renewed optimism over United States (US)-China trade relations, which outweighed ongoing concerns about global oversupply.

Earlier this week, the US and China reached a preliminary trade agreement. The US will reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China will lower tariffs on US imports from 125% to 10%. This breakthrough eased demand concerns from the world's two largest Oil consumers.

However, upside momentum for Oil prices was limited by reports suggesting a potential US-Iran nuclear deal that could lead to sanctions relief. US President Donald Trump stated the US was close to an agreement, with Iran "sort of" accepting the terms. Still, sources indicated that key issues remain unresolved. According to a Reuters report citing ING analysts, a nuclear deal would reduce supply risk and allow Iran to ramp up production, potentially adding around 400,000 barrels per day to the global market.

Further pressuring crude Oil prices, US government data showed an unexpected rise in crude inventories. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) raised its global supply forecast by 380,000 barrels per day, citing increased output from Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ members as they continue to unwind production cuts.

WTI Oil FAQs

WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as "light" and "sweet" because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered "The Pipeline Crossroads of the World". It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media.

Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa.

The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API's report is published every Tuesday and EIA's the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency.

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.


Date

Created

 : 2025.05.16

Update

Last updated

 : 2025.05.16

Related articles


Show more

FXStreet

Financial media

arrow
FXStreet

FXStreet is a forex information website, delivering market analysis and news articles 24/7.
It features a number of articles contributed by well-known analysts, in addition to the ones by its editorial team.
Founded in 2000 by Francesc Riverola, a Spanish economist, it has grown to become a world-renowned information website.

Was this article helpful?

We hope you find this article useful. Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  
We are also looking for writers with extensive experience in forex and crypto to join us.

please contact us at [email protected].

Thank you for your feedback.
Thank you for your feedback.

Most viewed

NZD/USD edges higher as upbeat New Zealand data offsets cautious US Dollar tone

NZD/USD edges higher to trade near 0.5894 at the start of the American trading hours on Friday, snapping a two-day losing streak. The pair is holding within this week's range as it draws support from upbeat domestic data and rising inflation expectations.
New
update2025.05.16 23:18

US UoM Consumer Sentiment Index is seen at 50.8 in May

US consumer sentiment weakened in early May, according to the University of Michigan's preliminary survey. The Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 50.8 from 52.2 in April, undershooting market expectations and markin a decline in household confidence.
New
update2025.05.16 23:17

EUR/JPY flattens around 163.00, Japan Q1 GDP contracts by 0.2%

The EUR/JPY pair trades flat around 163.00 after recovering its initial losses during North American trading hours on Friday. The cross rebounds as the Japanese Yen (JPY) faces slight selling pressure, following the release of the Japan Q1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data.
New
update2025.05.16 23:14

USD/JPY Price Forecast: Finds temporary support near 145.00

The USD/JPY pair recoups some of its initial losses and rebounds to near 145.50 during North American trading hours on Friday, while it is still 0.1% down.
New
update2025.05.16 22:39

Mexican Peso trims some of Banxico-related losses following interest-rate cut

The Mexican peso (MXN) is consolidating against the US dollar (USD) on Friday after recovering some of the ground lost on Thursday after the Banco de Mexico (Banxico) decided to cut interest rates, as expected.
New
update2025.05.16 21:42

USD/CAD extends consolidation ahead of US Consumer Sentiment data

USD/CAD is trading flat around 1.3960 at the time of writing on Friday, showing little to no directional bias as the pair remains confined within a narrow weekly range.
New
update2025.05.16 21:21

EUR stuck around 1.12 with risk in Fed pricing - Scotiabank

EUR/USD is extending its recent, quiet consolidation around 1.12 and trading with modest support into Friday's NA session, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
New
update2025.05.16 20:47

CAD consolidating within a right range and finding support from spreads - Scotiabank

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is entering Friday's NA session flat vs. the USD as it consolidates around the midpoint of this week's range, Scotiabank's Chief FX Strategist Shaun Osborne notes.
New
update2025.05.16 20:46

US Dollar looks set for steady weekly close ahead of Consumer Sentiment data

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, is on the back foot on Friday at around 100.62.
New
update2025.05.16 20:45

First new market forecasts for Platinum and Palladium - Commerzbank

A market-leading refiner of Platinum group metals headquartered in London yesterday published its new forecasts for the supply and demand of Platinum group metals, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Carsten Fritsch notes.
New
update2025.05.16 20:43

Disclaimer:arw

All information and content provided on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to solicit any investment. Although all efforts are made in order to ensure that the information is correct, no guarantee is provided for the accuracy of any content on this website. Any decision made shall be the responsibility of the investor and Myforex does not take any responsibility whatsoever regarding the use of any information provided herein.

The content provided on this website belongs to Myforex and, where stated, the relevant licensors. All rights are reserved by Myforex and the relevant licensors, and no content of this website, whether in full or in part, shall be copied or displayed elsewhere without the explicit written permission of the relevant copyright holder. If you wish to use any part of the content provided on this website, please ensure that you contact Myforex.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LINE

Myforex uses cookies to improve the convenience and functionality of this website. This website may include cookies not only by us but also by third parties (advertisers, log analysts, etc.) for the purpose of tracking the activities of users. Cookie policy

I agree
share
Share
Cancel