Crude Oil Higher Overnight On Short Covering, Lower Prices Probable Near Term

April crude oil was higher overnight due to short covering as it consolidates some of Monday's decline but remains below the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.93.

Stochastics and the RSI are turning neutral signaling that sideways to lower prices are possible near term.

If April extends Monday's decline, February's low crossing at $37.12 is the next downside target.

Closes above last week's high crossing at $45.30 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.93.

Second resistance is the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.21.

First support is the overnight low crossing at $39.44.

Second support is February's low crossing at $37.12.

4:30 PM ET. Feb 27 API Oil Industry Report

Crude Stocks (Net Change) (previous +341K)

Gasoline Stocks (Net Change) (previous -898K)

Distillate Stocks (Net Change) (previous +1.76M)

Refinery Runs (previous 81.9%)

Crude Oil Closes Sharply Lower, Crossing Below The 10 Day Moving Average

April crude oil closed sharply lower on Monday due to profit taking as it consolidated some of last week's rally.

Today's decline lead to a close below the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.75 thereby tempering the near term friendly outlook in the market.

The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Tuesday.

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

Closes above last week's high crossing at $45.30 are needed to signal that a larger degree rally into March is unfolding.

Closes below February's low crossing at $37.12 would renew this year's decline while opening the door for a possible test of psychological support crossing at $35.00 later this year.

First resistance is last Thursday's high crossing at $45.30.

Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at $47.99.

First support is today's low crossing at $39.84.

Second support is February's support crossing at $37.12.

Oil Falls Again, Iran Say No March Cut and Saudi Arabia Counts Rig Count

"Oil Falls More Than $4 on Signs Recession Is Deepening, Curbing Fuel Use"
Crude oil fell more than $4 a barrel, the biggest decline in seven weeks, on signs that the recession in the world’s major energy consuming countries is deepening....Complete Story

"Oil Faces Hardening $50 Resistance, PetroMatrix Says: Technical Analysis"
Crude oil’s recovery may be shackled by strengthening resistance at $50 a barrel, according to analysis by consultant PetroMatrix GmbH....Complete Story

"Iran's oil minister sees no OPEC output cut in March"
Iran's Oil Minister Gholam-Hossein Nozari said that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC) would not cut its output in March, the satellite Press TV reported on Sunday. "I do not think we move....Complete Story

"Saudi Arabia to Cut Drilling Rigs Amid Lower Oil Demand"
Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, is expected to cut the number of oil rigs by as much as 20% until year-end amid lower crude output....Complete Story

"Wrong Reason to Tap Reserves"
Unlike some of the other black holes into which Washington pours money these days, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve's value is grasped easily. If needed, it could replace about 44% of daily U.S. oil....Complete Story

Crude Oil Lower Overnight, All Indicators Show Higher Prices Possible Near Term

April crude oil was lower overnight due to profit taking as it consolidates some of last week's rally but remains above the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.49.

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If April extends last week's rally, the reaction high crossing at $47.99 is the next upside target.

Closes below the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.96 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted.

First resistance is last Thursday's high crossing at $45.30.

Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at $47.99.

First support is the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.49.

Second support is the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.96.

Crude Oil Closes Lower, But Remains Above 20 Day Moving Average

April crude oil posted an inside day with a lower close on Friday as it consolidated some of this week's rally but remains above the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.66.

The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Monday.

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If April extends this week's rally, the reaction high crossing at $47.99 is the next upside target.

Closes below the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.87 would temper the near term friendly outlook in the market.

First resistance is Thursday's high crossing at $45.30.

Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at $47.99.

First support is today's low crossing at $42.25.

Second support is the 10 day moving average support crossing at $40.87.

Mexicos Oil Output Drops, Reliance Announces Plans On Purchase From Chevron

"Oil Falls for the First Time in Four Days on Signs Recession Is Deepening"
Crude oil fell for the first time in four days on concern energy demand will decline, after the U.S. economy contracted faster than anticipated....Complete Story


"Reliance Plans to Acquire Remaining Stake in Petroleum Unit From Chevron"
Reliance Industries Ltd., owner of the world’s largest refining complex, plans to acquire the remaining shares of unit Reliance Petroleum Ltd., after the stock dropped 54 percent in the past year....Complete Story

"Obama Budget Hits Oil and Gas Companies with New Fees,Taxes"
The Obama administration Thursday proposed raising at least $31.5 billion over 10 years from oil and gas companies, reflecting a repeal of tax breaks for domestic production and new charges on oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico....Complete Story

"Mexico's Oil Challenge Rises with New Output Drop"
Doubts are growing that Mexico can halt a four year decline in crude oil production after its January oil output slumped to a more than 13 year low, due to bureaucratic delays and technical challenges....Complete Story

Crude Oil Lower, Still Above 20 Day Moving Average

April crude oil was lower overnight due to profit taking as it consolidates some of this week's rally but remains above the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.63.

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If April extends this week's rally, the reaction high crossing at $47.99 is the next upside target.

Closes below the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.81 are needed to confirm that a short term top has been posted.

First resistance is Thursday's high crossing at $45.30. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at $47.99.

First support is the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.63.

Second support is the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.82.

Crude Oil Closes Higher, Stage Is Set For Higher Open On Friday

April crude oil closed higher due to short covering on Thursday and above the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.72 confirming that a short term low has been posted.

The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Friday.

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

If April extends this week's rally, the reaction high crossing at $47.99 is the next upside target.

Closes below the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.58 would temper the near term friendly outlook in the market.

First resistance is today's high crossing at $45.30.

Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at $47.99.

First support is today's low crossing at $42.27.

Second support is the 10 day moving average support crossing at $40.58.

Crude Oil and Gasoline Futures Jump, Chevron Delays Nigerian Projects

"Crude Oil, Gasoline Futures Jump on Signs of Stronger U.S. Demand for Fuel"
Crude oil rose more than $2 a barrel and gasoline surged to a three-month high after U.S. stockpiles of the motor fuel dropped....Complete Story

"Chevron Delays 3 Nigerian Projects, Raises Cost Estimates as Much as 103%"
Chevron Corp., the world’s fourth- largest energy company, delayed the start of production at three Nigerian projects and raised cost estimates as much as 103 percent on some of its biggest new sources of output....Complete Story

"Compromise Energy Policy Within Reach"
BP's Chief Executive, Tony Hayward, writes that a collapse in world energy demand and the fall of energy prices present a rare once in a generation opportunity to craft an innovative energy policy for the United States....Complete Story

Crude Oil Continues To Signal Higher Prices Ahead

Crude oil was higher overnight as it extends Wednesday's rally and is trading above the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.63.

Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term.

Closes above the 20 day moving average crossing at $42.63 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted.

If April renews this year's decline, psychological support crossing at $35.00 is the next downside target.

First resistance is the overnight high crossing at $43.57.

Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at $47.99.

First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at $40.44.

Second support is last Thursday's low crossing at $37.12.