U.S. weather is turning less bearish. Bullish sentiment is still firmly in place and further price advances are possible, despite bearish current fundamentals.
Crude hasn't been responding to fundamentals all year. I think crude has been $8 to $10 overvalued for some time and has been responding to the fear of what could happen rather than the reality of what is happening.
This market has moved higher on fear and sentiment and Bush may have succeeded in reducing some of the concern. Gasoline is getting whacked right now, which is pulling crude lower. His statements will have a psychological impact on the market but the physical impact is limited.
The last time inventories were this high was in early 1999 when prices were below $20 a barrel. OPEC wants prices to fall. Saudi Arabia and other members remember that when prices spiked in the 70s there was a rash of investment and they lost a lot of market share for a long time.
The last time inventories were this high was in early 1999, when prices were below $20 a barrel. OPEC wants prices to fall. Saudi Arabia and other members remember that when prices spiked in the 70s there was a rash of investment and they lost a lot of market share for a long time.