Chapter 30 Oil Prices Are Weak as Market Bets on Maintaining Production Cuts(11.27)
Fundamentals
During Monday's (November 27th) Asian session, WTI crude oil oscillated narrowly, and it is currently trading at 74.9 dollars/bbl. Oil prices continued to fall slightly on Friday to achieve a 4-consecutive decline. At the same time, the market seems to have reached a consensus that oil prices will keep dropping unless OPEC+ continues and expands the production cuts. However, a production cut is not likely to start now, which is the reason why the bears are actively pulling the price down. Now, the market maintains the logic that production cuts will be kept. In the past 2 years, OPEC+ production cuts were satisfying due to the support of Saudi Arabia, and the probability of extending production cuts is greater, but Saudi Arabia is trapped in a dilemma now. On the one hand, Iran, Brazil, Venezuela, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries are desperately trying to expand their production to capture the market share. On the other hand, Russia is resistant to production cuts after finding new buyers. Thus, if Saudi Arabia cuts its production, it will lose its market share. If it expands production, oil prices will fall below the nearly two-year low of 60 dollars/bbl. next year because of the surplus. Compared to the results of the production cut, the decline in oil price is lethal, and now the oil market is in a dilemma situation. In addition, the answer will be released this Thursday, and the oil price oscillation will be increased. It is now recommended to bet on a unilateral market, and aggressive traders could buy both options to bet on a greater oscillation.
Data: U.S. November Markit manufacturing PMI was 49.4, back below the breakeven level. Comparingly, the service sector activity expanded slightly to 50.8, a four-month high.
Today's focus: U.S. New Home Sales monthly rate and the Current General Business Activity from the Dallas Fed. More importantly, the news and results related to this week's OPEC + meeting.
Technical Analysis
Last Friday, oil prices showed signals about a deep plunge and it depreciated in the hourly chart, closing the daily chart lower. Today, oil prices opened at lows in the Asian session, and once dropped below 75 followed by a weak oscillation. Regarding the daily chart, the bearish trend is clear, but there is also potential support as the MACD has completely entered the oversold zone with a golden cross appearing. On Thursday, there will be the OPEC+ meeting, and the oscillation will be slight before that. If the production cuts expand, WTI will reverse. In contrast, WTI may test the previous low at 72 if the production cuts are maintained. However, the space below is considerable if OPEC+ fails to reach an agreement, despite the possibility is low. Thus, we expect that the production cuts will be maintained. Although WTI will depreciate, it is likely for WTI to plunge instantly in place. After a period, an upward reversal will take place as well, and we should not keep a bearish view at present. Now, as a big bear candle covered the previous 2 bull candles, WTI may extend the downward trend in the hourly chart, and the support below will be near 74.5. Today, investors should buy low and sell high between 73.8 to 77.1.

Trading Recommendations
Trading direction: Long
Entry price: 73.800
Target price: 77.100
Stop loss: 73.300
Support: 73.500/72.500
Resistance: 77.100/78.500