Fundamental Analysis and Price Evaluation of WTI

[Gary LeBlanc + 50]

Dec 22 2019

     I'll be using a 4-week average of EIA data ending tbe second week of December to compare the Supply/Demand for WTI from 2019 to 2018 along with the price of WTI. 

   Demand for WTI is composed of two variables; they are US refinery run rates and US exports of crude. For the 4-week period ending Dec 14,2018  US refinery run rates averaged 17.471mbd and US crude exports averaged 2.561mbd to average 20,032mbd for the the 4-week period ending Dec 14,2018. Demand for the 4-week period ending Dec 13,2019 was 16.572mbd in refinery runs and 3.412mbd in US crude exports to average 19.984mbd. Although slight, demand for WTI over the last 4 weeks as compared to the same 4 week period in 2018 fell by 48kbd. 

   In Econ 101 when demand goes down that puts downward pressure on price. Demand was down 0.23% year-over-year.  That would indicate a 2019 price of WTI very close to the 2018 price of WTI if supply stays relatively constant.

   Supply for WTI is composed of two variables. They are US crude production and Imports of crude oil. For the 4-week period ending Dec 14,2018  US crude production averaged 11.65mbd. US crude imports averaged 7.549mbd for a total supply for WTI for 4-week data a year ago of 19,199mbd. Supply for the last 4 weeks since Dec 13,2019 averaged 12.85mbd of production and 6.411 mbd to total 19.261mbd. Year over year supply increased. Very little, but an increase just the same.

  So what does Econ 101 tells us. When supply for a product goes up this puts downward pressure on price. 

   So the two economic laws pertaining to WTI both themselves would indicate a price of WTI Dec 2019 very close to the price of WTI Dec 2018. Combine the two laws and a lower price for Dec 2019 as compared to Dec 2018 would have a 75% probability. So lets check price. 

  When EIA came out on Dec 18 2018 WTI had opened at $45.93. Traded between 48.00 and 45.93 and closed at 47.20. A year later WTI opened at $60.55. Traded between 61.18 and 60.32 and closed at 60.93. That's a 30% gain with fundamentals basically identical to last year's maybe slightly weaker even. Not much. 

  Maybe it's an inventory issue. Inventory was at 441,457 on Dec 14 2018. A year later it's at 446,833. Higher. Bearish. 

 I'm short 6 March contracts at an average of 57.98. Also long 2 Feb contracts with Feb 58 calls written against them at $3.00.

 

Edited December 22, 2019 by Gary LeBlanc

[Tom Nolan + 2,443]

A big factor is "sentiment".  With all this extra money coming onto the playing field, the future looks bright to a lot of folks.  "Value" doesn't show its true colors with so many riding the stock market gains.  We may see WTI continue to rise.

Central Banks have been injecting money into the economy at incredible rates.  Since September, the Federal Reserve has pumped in around 380 billion with it "Repo" overnight rates. 

Lance Roberts out of Houston has a good article with charts.  Note how stocks gained every week, except the week that The Fed did not inject money.    https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/market-melts-fed-turns-liquidity-firehose

[Gary LeBlanc + 50]

All good things must come to an end.

[Dr. S. Walker + 1]

One small problem with your analysis..we don't "import" WTI. 

[Douglas Buckland + 6,308]

On 12/23/2019 at 12:28 AM, Gary LeBlanc said:

Dec 22 2019

     I'll be using a 4-week average of EIA data ending tbe second week of December to compare the Supply/Demand for WTI from 2019 to 2018 along with the price of WTI. 

   Demand for WTI is composed of two variables; they are US refinery run rates and US exports of crude. For the 4-week period ending Dec 14,2018  US refinery run rates averaged 17.471mbd and US crude exports averaged 2.561mbd to average 20,032mbd for the the 4-week period ending Dec 14,2018. Demand for the 4-week period ending Dec 13,2019 was 16.572mbd in refinery runs and 3.412mbd in US crude exports to average 19.984mbd. Although slight, demand for WTI over the last 4 weeks as compared to the same 4 week period in 2018 fell by 48kbd. 

   In Econ 101 when demand goes down that puts downward pressure on price. Demand was down 0.23% year-over-year.  That would indicate a 2019 price of WTI very close to the 2018 price of WTI if supply stays relatively constant.

   Supply for WTI is composed of two variables. They are US crude production and Imports of crude oil. For the 4-week period ending Dec 14,2018  US crude production averaged 11.65mbd. US crude imports averaged 7.549mbd for a total supply for WTI for 4-week data a year ago of 19,199mbd. Supply for the last 4 weeks since Dec 13,2019 averaged 12.85mbd of production and 6.411 mbd to total 19.261mbd. Year over year supply increased. Very little, but an increase just the same.

  So what does Econ 101 tells us. When supply for a product goes up this puts downward pressure on price. 

   So the two economic laws pertaining to WTI both themselves would indicate a price of WTI Dec 2019 very close to the price of WTI Dec 2018. Combine the two laws and a lower price for Dec 2019 as compared to Dec 2018 would have a 75% probability. So lets check price. 

  When EIA came out on Dec 18 2018 WTI had opened at $45.93. Traded between 48.00 and 45.93 and closed at 47.20. A year later WTI opened at $60.55. Traded between 61.18 and 60.32 and closed at 60.93. That's a 30% gain with fundamentals basically identical to last year's maybe slightly weaker even. Not much. 

  Maybe it's an inventory issue. Inventory was at 441,457 on Dec 14 2018. A year later it's at 446,833. Higher. Bearish. 

 I'm short 6 March contracts at an average of 57.98. Also long 2 Feb contracts with Feb 58 calls written against them at $3.00.

 

But, since when, especially in the past 5 years, has the price of oil been handcuffed simply to supply and demand?

[Gary LeBlanc + 50]

  Feb 17 2020

What other criteria do you include to your trading decisions ?  That's what I trade on. Both those positions hit their target and were closed in a profit. The strategy is more complex than just those 2 positions, however. 

[Dr. S. Walker + 1]

For someone that uses WTI as an import for fundamental analysis, your credentials on anything you post is with jaundiced eye.

[Gary LeBlanc + 50]

Feb 18 2020

  That post is about 2 months old and all positions were closed at a profit. No exceptions. I'll take my chances with my research and analysis. That's what it's all about for me. A continous string of monthly contractual profits. It's fine by me if you disrespect my research. I'll take your money if you are involved in WTI options. That's my playground.

[Gary LeBlanc + 50]

On 2/17/2020 at 3:15 AM, Dr. S. Walker said:

One small problem with your analysis..we don't "import" WTI. 

True. Would you prefer I change the word "WTI" to "crude" ? I will. It's not a problem.

[Dr. S. Walker + 1]

Your "fundamental analysis" has many flaws. Too many to list. I was being kind. I think "playground" applies. Kudos there.

[Gary LeBlanc + 50]

You weren't being "kind". You were being judgemental. Learn the difference. See no trades/positions or even any "fundamental" analysis on your behalf. Never ran across an "academic" that I couldn't take their money in my 40 years of trading. Are you the first ? I hope so. All my trades are posted real-time and in advance on " Diary of an Options Trader". Do you even trade oil ?

[Tom Kirkman + 8,860]

7 hours ago, Dr. S. Walker said:

Your "fundamental analysis" has many flaws. Too many to list. I was being kind. I think "playground" applies. Kudos there.

How about perhaps just listing the top three flaws that you see?  If you are unable or unwilling to mention at least a few flaws that you see in an analysis, then your criticism would seem to be invalid.  This is the "Oil Trading" subforum, so technical discussion of trading oil would seem to be the lingua franca.

[Tom Kirkman + 8,860]

Or, if any oil traders are really super bored, you may wish to engage your critical thinking skills and pick out a few flaws in this theory below. 

(Flat Earthers  / Hollow Earthers amuse me endlessly)

[Rob Kramer + 696]

9 minutes ago, Tom Kirkman said:

Or, if any oil traders are really super bored, you may wish to engage your critical thinking skills and pick out a few flaws in this theory below. 

(Flat Earthers  / Hollow Earthers amuse me endlessly)

Well for starters that's the pacman eating ball theory posted above ^.

Also used in snowmobile helmet glare theory. 

Edited February 19, 2020 by Rob Kramer
Humor

[Dr. S. Walker + 1]

15 hours ago, Tom Kirkman said:

How about perhaps just listing the top three flaws that you see?  If you are unable or unwilling to mention at least a few flaws that you see in an analysis, then your criticism would seem to be invalid.  This is the "Oil Trading" subforum, so technical discussion of trading oil would seem to be the lingua franca.

Here's just a few:

1. Said author ignores fluctuation of supply/demand with refinery outages, i.e. maintenance, failure, acts of God., etc..

2. Said author does not mention that fundamental analysis must take into account the current geo political climate when estimating oil fitures price direction.

3. Said author completely ignores forward near term view of domestic and global economy that is needed to form any sound economic analysis.

There are many more, but I am done here..

[Gary LeBlanc + 50]

"Done"? Your only accomplishment was your attempt at being judgemental. See no trades or positions by you. You're not even a beginner trader. Apparently you're here just to show us what we don't know.  Put some "skin" in the game and lets see how your "Dr" moniker does ? Or you can just crawl away. What's it going to be ? All my trades are posted on "Diary of an Options Trader.