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Energy Brief for Nov 16

Price Overview

The petroleum complex traded higher as hopes for a COVID vaccine were bolstered by news that Moderna had also developed a vaccine with high efficacy rates.  Favorable economic news from Japan and China also helped encourage optimism that demand would rebound in 2021. Japan’s 3rd quarter GDP rose 5 percent against 4.4 percent expected, while Chinese industrial production increased 6.9 percent year over year. The strength to the Asian economies has been a bright spot in the global picture for demand but still needs to be watched closely for any divergent trends.  In the background was the associated strength in global equities which helped underpin crude values.

Despite the hopes regarding a vaccine and the recent declines in inventory levels, the petroleum complex still faces considerable uncertainty. The approach of the OPEC meeting on November 30th will be a key barometer of their commitment to production cuts.  Compensatory cutbacks totaling 2.35 mb have yet to be fulfilled and could prove to be an obstacle to reaching agreement on rolling the current agreement over in the first quarter.  Additional concerns will be caused the sharp rise in Libyan production levels. Any sign that OPEC is proceeding with its production increase at the beginning of January would likely push the market back into surplus, particularly if mobility is restrained further by the spread of the COVID virus in Europe and the US. While progress has been made in reducing inventory levels since the summer they still remain well above the five year averages and maintaining production at current levels will be a key to maintaining price stability.

Natural Gas

The market gapped lower overnight and never looked back as prices plunged by over 30 cents on the December contract to settle at 2.697.  Weather continues to be the issue as weekend forecast revisions lost HDD’s, and then the morning runs today were even worse as the two week outlook continues to trend further below normal.  Production hitting 90 bcf/d was no help, despite LNG flows continuing to set records coming in at 10.4 bcf/d today.  The drop below 2.80 likely flushed out managed money traders who had built up substantial long positions  The only remedy for this market now is colder temperatures, which at the moment are not on the horizon.  The charts took major damage on the move with support now at 2.60 on the December which will likely be tested soon.

Charts Courtesy of DTN Prophet X, EIA, Reuters

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Futures and options trading involve significant risk of loss and may not be suitable for everyone.  Therefore, carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your financial condition.  The information and comments contained herein is provided by ADMIS and in no way should be construed to be information provided by ADM.  The author of this report did not have a financial interest in any of the contracts discussed in this report at the time the report was prepared.  The information provided is designed to assist in your analysis and evaluation of the futures and options markets.  However, any decisions you may make to buy, sell or hold a futures or options position on such research are entirely your own and not in any way deemed to be endorsed by or attributed to ADMIS. Copyright ADM Investor Services, Inc.

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