Crude oil recovers to over $61.00 as prices stabilise within a narrow range

    by VT Markets
    /
    May 24, 2025
    WTI crude oil has climbed back to $61.00, trading in a tight range between the 10-day and 20-day simple moving averages (SMAs). This increase has helped recover losses from Thursday, with WTI oil now up by 1.20%, turning the $61.00 level from resistance into support. Recently, WTI dipped but didn’t fall below the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level at 60.588, giving some temporary relief. The 20-day SMA is at 60.419, while the 10-day SMA serves as resistance close to 61.805. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 49.00, indicating neutral momentum.

    Key Price Levels And Technical Indicators

    For prices to rise further, WTI needs to move above the 10-day SMA and the $62.00 barrier. This could open the door to higher targets, like the 50-day SMA at 63.270. On the flip side, falling below 60.588 could bring the April low of 58.376 into play. WTI is a high-quality oil from the United States, influenced by supply and demand, global economic growth, political events, and decisions made by OPEC. Weekly inventory data from API and EIA also impact prices. OPEC sets production quotas, affecting both supply and price, and OPEC+ includes other members, including Russia. The article discusses WTI crude oil’s current price movement and how technical levels affect it. The bounce back to $61.00 is significant; it has shifted from a resistance level to support. This classic reversal suggests more stability if buying interest continues. Prices have shown a bounce above this critical level, highlighting some market caution with strong forces pushing in both directions. Although prices dipped earlier, they managed to hold above the 23.6% Fibonacci level at 60.588, which is calculated from recent highs and lows to measure pullbacks. This level helped absorb selling pressure. Just below, the 20-day moving average at 60.419 has historically served as a pivot point in ongoing trends. Resistance tightens around the 10-day SMA, currently at 61.805. While these are short-term levels, they play an important role in trading strategies.

    Market Influences And Risk Management

    The Relative Strength Index, at 49.00, suggests there is no clear momentum either way. It doesn’t indicate extreme selling nor show strong buying pressure – we are in a waiting phase. Thus, a confirmed break above the 10-day SMA and the $62.00 mark could open known technical zones for upward moves, including the 50-day moving average at 63.270. The path higher depends on breaking through these levels. However, there’s a risk if prices drop. Falling below the 60.588 Fibonacci level could pave the way to test the April low near 58.376, which previously stopped further declines. These levels are watched closely by traders, not because they are perfect but because others are monitoring them too. The self-fulfilling nature of technical levels makes them useful, even if they’re not foolproof. Looking at the bigger picture, oil pricing is influenced by more than just technical charts. Market participants have long recognized that factors like industrial demand, shipping activity, production output, and refinery usage play major roles — each currently clouded by uncertainty. Weekly inventory reports from API and EIA provide insight into potential surpluses or shortages, and even minor surprises in these reports can cause unexpected price shifts. What really moves prices is not just the data but how it compares to expectations. Production decisions are also vital, especially when OPEC and its allies, including Russia, adjust supply levels. These changes can catch short-term traders off guard if they haven’t hedged properly or adjusted to macro news. Practically, this means maintaining sharp risk parameters is key. The broader trading community must stay flexible, especially within current price ranges where trend confirmation is lacking. As the trading range tightens, larger moves can follow. It’s important to monitor volume alongside price action, keep an eye on SMA positioning across various time frames, and avoid over-analyzing daily changes. Oil trades do not occur in isolation; global growth factors, especially in major importing countries, can shift market sentiment suddenly. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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