Crude Daily Forecast – Crude Slips Below $45 as Demand Slides

Crude prices continue to lose ground this week. Currently, U.S. crude oil is trading at $45.20, down $0.95 or 2.09% on the day. Brent crude oil is trading at $50.26, down $1.15 or 2.24%.

Crude Slips to 13-Month Low

As the coronavirus continues to spread, the economic fallout to the global economy is growing. This has been the catalyst behind a plunge in oil prices. Crude has declined by 14.7% this week and briefly fell below the $45 level earlier on Friday. This is its lowest level since January 2018. With analysts warning that things could worsen before they improve, oil prices will likely remain under downward pressure.

The bleak economic situation in China, with much of the industrial sector paralyzed, has led to a sharp reduction in demand for oil. China is the world’s second-largest oil producer, and the deteriorating situation is taking its toll on Saudi Arabia, which is China’s top supplier of oil. Starting in March, Saudi Arabia will sharply reduce its oil exports to China, which currently stands at about 2 million barrels per day (bpd). Analysts say that this amount could be cut significantly, perhaps as much as 300,000 bdp.  Chinese refineries have sharply cut refinery runs, leading to a growing oversupply of crude on global markets.

Technical Analysis

WTI/USD continues to fall and break below support levels this week. The pair tested support at 45.50 earlier on Friday and this line could break before the end of the trading week. The next support level is at 43.55.

On the upside, there is resistance at 47.50, followed by resistance at .$49.50, which is just below the symbolic $50 level.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

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