The U.S. reveals a trick up its sleeve

Oct 25, 2023

A few weeks ago, we expressed our bewilderment at the U.S. administration and its handling of the oil stockpiles. Despite oil plummeting below $70 during the summer, officials did not take the initiative to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserves (also canceling plans to buy oil in July 2023), prompting us to speculate about what trick the administration could have up its sleeve. Finally, last week, we might have discovered exactly what it was when news erupted that the United States lifted some of the sanctions on Venezuela, allowing it to produce and export oil to its chosen markets for the next six months without limitation.

While Venezuela’s oil production is only about 800,000 barrels per day, the news announcement is still quite a big thing as it will enable U.S. entities to buy crude oil and help alleviate rising crude oil prices (especially if the country ramps up production in the coming months and the global economy continues to slow down - presuming no broad conflict will affect oil supply in the Middle East).

Now, on the topic of technicals, we are paying close attention to the Sloping Support/Resistance. If the price breaks back above the resistance (and holds the ground), it will be bullish. However, a failure will raise our skepticism about more upside. In addition to that, we are watching MACD, RSI, and Stochastic on the daily chart. To support a bearish case, we would want to see all of them continue declining. Contrarily, to support a bullish case, we would like to see MACD reversing and breaking above the midpoint.

Illustration 1.01

Illustration 1.01 shows the daily chart of USOIL and a simple setup with bullish prospects above the sloping support/resistance and bearish prospects below it.

Illustration 1.02

Illustration 1.02 displays the daily chart of MACD. The yellow arrow indicates a bearish breakout below the midpoint. If MACD fails to rebound back into the bullish area above zero, it will raise the odds for a continuation lower.

Illustration 1.03

Illustration 1.03 shows the daily chart of USOIL and simple moving averages. The yellow arrow indicates an impending bearish crossover between the 20-day SMA and the 50-day SMA. If successful, it will bolster a bearish case.

Technical analysis
Daily time frame = Bearish (with weak trend)
Weekly time frame = Slightly bearish

Please feel free to express your ideas and thoughts in the comment section.

DISCLAIMER: This analysis is not intended to encourage any buying or selling of any particular securities. Furthermore, it should not be a basis for taking any trade action by an individual investor. Therefore, your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.