WTI oil prices show corrective growth during the Asian session, recovering from a rather active decline at the beginning of the current trading week. Quotes are testing the level of $101; however, the factors capable of having a significant impact on the dynamics of the trading instrument have not yet appeared on the market. Earlier, oil prices came under pressure due to the fact that the EU countries did not agree on restrictions on the import of oil products from Russia in their sixth round of sanctions. In addition, low demand for oil from China did not allow the "bulls" to develop an upward momentum in the asset.

The day before it became known that a ban on the transportation of oil was excluded from the next package of anti-Russian sanctions, since the decision provides for coordination at the international level, including representatives of the G7 countries. According to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, countries such as Greece, Cyprus and Malta are currently opposed to restrictions, arguing that the activities of local shipping companies could be under pressure. In addition, another round of talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban took place the day before, and it is reported that the parties managed to reach an agreement on an embargo on Russian oil and oil products.

Additional pressure on oil quotes was exerted by the report published the day before by the American Petroleum Institute (API) for the week ended May 6, according to which US inventories increased by 1.618 million barrels after a sharp decline by 3.479 million barrels over the past period. During the day, the dynamics of oil reserves from the US Department of Energy is expected to be released. Current forecasts suggest a decline of 1.200 million barrels after rising by 1.302 million barrels last week.

Resistance levels: 101.37, 103, 105, 107.67 | Support levels: 100, 98, 96, 93.97

During the Asian session, Brent Crude Oil prices are moderately declining, retreating from local highs of May 9 at 111.5 and testing 108.5.

The positive dynamics at the end of last week were due to the announcement of new restrictions on the import of Russian oil by the EU. It tries to agree on the sixth package of sanctions against the Russian economy, including a ban on oil supplies, which so far does not find unanimous support among all states since, according to Bloomberg, the heads of some of them have proposed to postpone the embargo. Although specific information was not disclosed, market participants consider a possible refusal as a sign of EU weakness. However, the European Commission was earlier ready to provide financial compensation to countries most dependent on Russian supplies, such as Hungary and Slovakia. Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban said that any changes regarding oil transportation should be discussed at EU leaders, while he announced his readiness to support a pan-European solution if pipelines that supply Russian oil are excluded from the sanctions package. Certain steps are being taken toward reducing Europe's energy dependence on Russia, and agreeing on the terms of a full or partial oil embargo is only a matter of time. Also, unilateral sanctions by the Russian government should not be ruled out.

A report from the International Energy Agency published last week had a certain impact on the market dynamics. It says that rising oil production in the Middle East and the United States will positively impact supply dynamics in the market. Also, given the declining demand for hydrocarbons, it is likely that soon it will be possible to avoid a situation of acute shortage in the market.

On the daily chart, Bollinger bands are growing slightly: the price range is practically unchanged, remaining quite spacious for the current level of activity in the market. The MACD indicator grows, keeping a relatively strong buy signal (the histogram is above the signal line). Stochastic shows similar dynamics. However, it is quickly approaching its highs, which indicates that the instrument may become overbought in the ultra-short term.

Resistance levels: 109, 112, 115.50, 118.32 | Support levels: 106, 102.57, 100, 96.5

Crude Oil, growth is possible, but correction risks remain

The quotes of WTI Crude Oil have formed a short-term upward channel and this week have reached its upper limit around 115.5.

Currently, prices are supported by positive pandemic data from China and a reduction in oil inventories in the United States. Today it became known that the Chinese authorities allowed 864 institutions to resume work in Shanghai after no new coronavirus cases were recorded outside the quarantine zones of the metropolis for three days. The retreat of the pandemic and the reopening of China's leading financial center give investors hope for stronger demand for oil in the Chinese economy. At the same time, US oil inventories declined again. According to the latest report from the American Petroleum Institute (API), the volume of oil reserves in the United States decreased by 2.445M barrels. So far, the situation seems to be favorable for the market. However, significant risks of price correction remain. They are associated with the postponement of the announced but still not implemented EU embargo on the supply of Russian "black gold." Experts fear that Hungary, which opposes the restrictions, will not be persuaded, or this process may be extremely protracted. Another negative factor for prices could be a US government permit for Chevron Corp. to negotiate oil supplies from Venezuela. If successful, the volume of energy supplies to the market may increase.

Further price growth is slowed down by the upper limit of the rising channel, around 115.50. If it consolidates above it, the positive dynamics will continue to 118.75 (Murrey [3/8]) and 125.00 (Murrey [4/8]). If 111.50 (Fibonacci retracement 23.6%) is broken down, a correction to 106.25 (Murrey [1/8], the middle line of Bollinger Bands), 102.50 (Fibonacci retracement 38.2%, the lower limit of the ascending channel) may develop. The indicators do not give a single signal: Bollinger bands reverse upwards, the MACD histogram increases in the positive zone but Stochastic is getting ready to leave the overbought zone and may form a sell signal.

Resistance levels: 115.5, 118.75, 125 | Support levels: 111.5, 106.25, 102.5

On the daily chart, the upward wave C develops, within which the first wave 1 of (1) of C formed. Now, a downward correction is forming as the second wave 2 of (1) of C, within which the wave of the lower level a of 2 has formed, and the wave b of 2 has ended as a triangle.

If the assumption is correct, the price will fall to the levels of 77.08 - 62.5. In this scenario, critical stop loss level is 115.62.

During the Asian session, Brent Crude Oil prices slightly decline, consolidating near 110 dollars per barrel. Yesterday, the quotes failed to record steady growth, despite the general correction of the US currency.

Investors fear that the protracted military conflict in Ukraine and the widespread decline in business activity will lead to a noticeable reduction in demand for "black gold." Nevertheless, there are also favorable factors on the market, for example, the upcoming summer season in the US, when traditionally, the demand among the population for gasoline and other petroleum products is increasing. Skeptics, however, point to a record jump in fuel prices, suggesting a decline compared to the period before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, investors are focused on a block of macroeconomic PMI statistics from Europe and the US. Analysts' forecasts are very negative and suggest a general decline in indices. Also, during the day, a report from the American Petroleum Institute (API) on stocks in the US for the week of May 20 will be released. The previous report showed a decline of 2.445M barrels.

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which started on Sunday, said that global geopolitical tensions amid the escalation of the military conflict in Ukraine and the ensuing energy security crisis should not lead to even greater dependence states from fossil fuels. Currently, energy prices are too high, which is a negative factor for economic recovery around the world, especially in developing importing countries. The official also said that increased demand for "black gold" in China could pressure the global economy.

On the daily chart, Bollinger bands move flat: the price range remains practically unchanged, remaining quite spacious for the current level of activity in the market. The MACD indicator tries to reverse into a downward plane, keeping its previous buy signal (the histogram is above the signal line). Stochastic remains relatively strong growth. However, it is close to its highs, indicating that the instrument may become overbought in the ultra-short term.

Resistance levels: 112, 114.09, 115.5, 118.32 | Support levels: 109, 106, 102.57, 100

During the morning session, Brent Crude Oil prices remain around 111 dollars per barrel. Quotes are moderately supported by expectations of a growing shortage of raw materials yesterday, the summer automobile season in the United States with the simultaneous opening of enterprises in China after the end of the quarantine caused by a new outbreak of COVID-19. Due to the deterioration of the geopolitical situation around Ukraine, the supply of energy resources on the market is noticeably declining, while OPEC+ is in no hurry to increase the current quotas for increasing hydrocarbon production. The cartel members are satisfied with the situation of a moderate, controlled deficit, which allows them to maintain a fairly high level of prices for oil and petroleum products.

The instrument was also supported by the published report from the Energy Information Administration of the US Department of Energy (EIA) on the dynamics of energy stocks in warehouses. Thus, for the week of May 20, the indicator fell by 1.019M barrels after a reduction of 3.394M barrels over the previous period. Analysts had expected a more modest decrease of 0.737M barrels.

On the daily chart, Bollinger bands are moving flat: the price range has not changed much since the beginning of the week, remaining quite spacious for the current level of activity in the market. The MACD indicator grows, keeping a poor buy signal (the histogram is above the signal line). Stochastic keeps a moderate upward direction but is near its highs, indicating that the instrument may become overbought in the ultra-short term.

Resistance levels: 112, 114.09, 115.50, 116.5 | Support levels: 109, 106, 102.57, 100

Brent Crude Oil prices show moderate growth, developing a strong "bullish" momentum formed last week and updating local highs from March 24. At the moment, the instrument is testing the level of 118.9.

Representatives of the EU countries, after lengthy negotiations, agreed on the sixth package of sanctions, which, among other things, includes a partial embargo on the supply of Russian oil, and also prohibits operations related to insurance of the delivery of energy from the Russian Federation to third countries. Earlier Hungarian officials opposed a complete ban on energy imports, comparing it with dropping a nuclear bomb on their economy, and Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that he would support anti-Russian sanctions only after providing guarantees on alternative fuel supplies. In the end, EU leaders still managed to reach an agreement on a partial ban that would not affect Hungary. The restrictions will affect the purchase of "black gold" supplied by sea, but will allow a number of countries to use the existing infrastructure, in particular, the Druzhba oil pipeline, through which deliveries to Germany and Hungary are possible.

The rise in prices for oil and oil products is also facilitated by the beginning of the automobile season in the US, where record prices for gasoline are fixed. The decision of the Chinese authorities also has a positive effect on the quotes: from June 1, the work of enterprises in Shanghai is resumed, and a number of restrictions on the operation of public transport and retail outlets are lifted in Beijing.

Bollinger Bands in D1 chart show moderate growth. The price range is expanding, but it fails to catch the development of "bullish" trend at the moment. MACD indicator is growing, while preserving a rather stable buy signal (located above the signal line). Stochastic has approached its highs, indicating the risks of overbought instrument in the ultra-short term.

Resistance levels: 120, 122.60, 125.85 | Support levels: 118, 115.5, 114.09, 112

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Last Tuesday, May 31, the leaders of the countries of the European Union agreed on the sixth package of economic sanctions, which included an embargo on the import of two-thirds of Russian "black gold". Against this backdrop, Brent Crude Oil quotes reached new highs around 122.

The new restrictive measures include a ban on the import of energy resources transported by sea, but do not affect supplies to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline. Officials also said that by the end of the year they would refuse 90% of Russian oil imports, in exchange for which the EU plans to purchase energy carriers in Asia and Arab countries, as well as in the United States, but it will take time to adjust to new logistics. Due to the artificially limited supply on the black gold market and the growing demand for raw materials in Europe, Brent Crude Oil quotes showed a rapid increase and stopped at around 122.00 this week, updating the high of March 24.

Now the trading instrument is correcting in anticipation of the OPEC+ meeting, which will discuss the possibility of adjusting the production of "black gold" against the backdrop of the continuation of a special military operation in Eastern Europe, initiated by the Russian authorities, as well as its consequences for the energy market. Participants are expected to continue to adhere to the current 432K barrels per day production recovery plan, despite the EU authorities' decision.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is ready to increase the production of "black gold" if it suddenly needs to compensate for the falling volumes from the Russian side. In turn, the United States offered Saudi Arabia to increase energy supplies to the EU and exclude Russia from the OPEC+ deal in exchange for unblocking arms supplies, but official Riyadh did not agree to take this step.

Summing up, one can conclude that if the increase in the rate of oil production by OPEC+ countries occurs according to a pre-approved plan, then prices will continue to rise in the future due to increased demand and insufficient supply. However, if a decision is made on an emergency adjustment in order to replace volumes of Russian oil, the instrument may head towards 100 in the long term.

The long-term trend is upward. After updating the March 24 high, the price decreases and approaches the support level of 114.50, and if it is held by the "bulls", the growth will continue with the target at the May high. Otherwise, the correction will continue to the level of 107.15. The medium-term trend is upward. This week the target zone 2 (118.57–117.67) was broken out, and the next target is in the area of 127.57–126.67. Now the price is correcting and approaching the key trend support at 114.31–113.41, after reaching which new purchases can be considered with the first target at the high of the current week.

Resistance levels: 122, 129, 135 | Support levels: 114.5, 107.15, 101.9

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On the daily chart, the development of the first wave of the higher level 1 of (1) of C ended, and a downward correction develops as the second wave 2 of (1) of C. Now, the wave of the lower level a of 2 is developing, within which the wave (i) of a has formed, and the correctional wave (ii) of a is ending.

If the assumption is correct, after the end of the correction, the price will fall within the wave (iii) of a to the levels of 82.30–67.00. In this scenario, critical stop loss level is 131.17.

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Brent Crude Oil prices are holding near a 13-week high after China reported higher-than-expected exports in May, but new lockdown restrictions in Shanghai are holding back a faster gain.

For example, China's exports for May increased by 16.9% compared to last year, as the easing of restrictions related to the COVID-19 epidemic allowed some factories to restart. It was the fastest rise since January this year and more than doubled analysts' expectations of 8.0%. Imports also rose by 4.1% YoY, doubling the forecast of 2.0%. New social restrictions have been introduced in some areas of Shanghai. So, in Minhang, where about 2M people live, authorities asked residents to stay at home for two days to control the spread of the virus. At the moment, operational measures are being taken to avoid crowds and testing in places where cases of infection are recorded.

Meanwhile, in the US, there is an increase in commercial oil inventories, which casts doubt on further price increases. According to the Energy Information Administration of the US Department of Energy (EIA), the figure rose by 2.025M barrels, despite the forecast for their decline by 1.917M. According to the World Bank report, oil prices added 350% in two years alone, showing a record increase in two years period since 1973. The upward dynamics continue against the background of the escalation of the military conflict in Ukraine. Experts predicted that quotes would add up to 42% compared to the same period last year but already in 2023, the dynamics will correct, and there will be a decline of 8%, and in 2024 – by 13%.

Thus, we can conclude that if restrictions in China regarding COVID-19 weaken and the demand for gasoline and petroleum products grows due to the summer season, oil prices will continue to strengthen with an immediate target of 129.

The long-term trend is upwards. This week, the price consolidated above 120, and the next target is 129, the breakout of which will allow the instrument to reach the area of 135. The key trend support is at 115.20. The RSI indicator is approaching the overbought zone, but it still allows considering trades along with the current trend.

The medium-term trend is upwards. After the breakdown of the target zone 2 (118.57–117.67) last week, the growth target was zone 3 (127.57–126.67). Long positions may be opened on the correction from the key trend support 117.14–116.24.

Resistance levels: 129, 135 | Support levels: 122, 115.2

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Crude Oil, decline on expectations of the "hawkish" rhetoric of the US Federal Reserve
Previously, experts predicted that the US regulator would raise rates by 50 basis points at a meeting on Wednesday, but after the release of strong data on the consumer price index for May last Friday, more investors expect a change of 75 basis points, which puts pressure on stock positions and oil. Last month, the inflation in the US accelerated from 0.3% to 1.0%, which exceeded the average market forecasts of 0.7%. The value has renewed 40-year highs, reaching a new peak at 8.6% YoY, while in April, the growth was 8.3%.

Additional pressure on the oil quotes is exerted by reports that the chairman of the US Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden, plans to pass a law establishing a 21% income tax on excess profits of oil and gas companies with an annual income of more than 1B dollars, which analysts perceive as excessive in these conditions.

From an even stronger fall, the trading instrument is kept by reports that Libya has almost completely stopped oil production due to the political crisis in the east of the country. Market losses are estimated at 1.1M barrels per day, although last month's production averaged 1.2M barrels per day. Libyan Oil Minister Mohammed Aoun said that almost all fields are currently closed. In turn, the limitation of oil production leads to a lack of supply, which, against the backdrop of high demand, does not allow prices for Brent Crude Oil to fall below 120.

The long-term trend is upwards. In early June, the support level of 120 was broken, around which the price is now correcting, and long positions with the target of around 129 may be opened here. The medium-term trend is with the target in zone 3 (127.57–126.67). Now the price is heading for a correction towards the area of the trend's key support at 117.63–116.76, after reaching which, long positions with the first target at the current week's high at 126.20 may be opened.

Resistance levels: 129, 135 | Support levels: 121, 115.2, 107.15

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