How to Be Successful on the Oil Market

A magic word CFD

Considering investments into the oil market, you will see three magical letters CFD.

CFD is an abbreviation of the contract for difference. We know that oil is counted in barrels. But you should understand that when going to the oil market, you won’t get the real oil in a container. But what will you get? The idea is to predict the price of the asset and win on the right forecast. As a result, when you come to the market, you earn money but not buy goods.

How does the price of the CFD form? The price matches with the prices of the so-named futures on the Intercontinental and New York Mercantile Exchanges.

Brent and WTI

Did you know that you won’t find just a single chart of the oil market? There are two major oil benchmarks you can invest in. They are Brent and WTI.

Brent is a standard for European and Asian markets. This benchmark consists of more than 15 oil grades produced on the Norwegian and Scottish shelf blocks of Brent, Ekofisk, Oseberg, and Forties.

WTI is a mark for the Western Hemisphere. It is produced at US oil fields, primarily in Texas, Louisiana, and North Dakota.

There are two differences between these benchmarks. The first one is a location, the second one is a chemical formula. That’s why they differ in price. WTI is cheaper than Brent. However, if you look at their charts, you won’t see significant differences in their moves.

Drivers of the market

Although there are differences between the oil benchmarks, there is no difference in factors that affect them.

Demand/supply

The factor that affects every market is demand and supply. Just remember a simple rule: when the supply declines –price goes up when the supply increases – price goes down.  Vice versa, when the demand declines – price goes down when the demand increases – price goes up.

Why demand/supply may change? A decline in the demand is caused by the weakness of economies of the biggest oil importers.

A decline in the supply is caused by conflicts, sanctions, and problems with oil drilling rigs. A rise of the supply always depends on the decision of the oil exporters to increase the production.

Demand and supply are the fundamental factors and all other drivers are based on them.

Political events

Uncertainties, conflicts, sanctions related to the biggest oil producers always affect the oil prices positively. The idea is clear: conflicts lead to the cut of the supply, a decline in the supply boosts oil prices. All you need to do is to follow the news to be up to date.

Market sentiment

The market sentiment is an ensuing factor from political events. A feature of the oil market is that prices change based on the news not on facts. For example, as soon as there is the news on possible problems with a future supply, prices rise immediately. The market even doesn’t need a data confirmation on the decline in the supply.

As the oil market is affected by the market sentiment, oil producers use it in their favor.
You should always remember this factor while investing in oil. Following the market, the sentiment is the best strategy for the oil investor.

How to predict market moves?

News. As I mentioned above the price depends on the market sentiment. To catch this sentiment, you need to read the news and follow the comments of the US, OPEC and its non-OPEC allies such as Russia.

Reports. To learn more about the demand/supply issue, you should follow reports of the US Energy Information Administration. Here you should take into consideration crude oil inventories data that is published every week (check the economic calendar) and different kinds of forecast on the demand and supply that you can find on its website. Of course, you also remember about the OPEC. The organization delivers reports as well.

What opportunities the oil market gives you?

Volatility is the main factor that attracts the attention of investors. With big daily moves, the market gives great opportunities to boost your income. However, at the same time, you should remember that the high volatility may lead to losses. To avoid negative results, you should remember about the risk management. What is more, the market is highly interesting for gamblers. You will never be bored investing in the oil market. News, reports come daily and the price jumps up and down. If you are inspired by games, investing in the oil market is definitely for you.

In brief

• Brent and WTI are among the most traded benchmarks in the world.
• Supply and demand are fundamental factors that determine the direction of the market.
• Remember about reports from the US Energy Information Administration and OPEC.
• Following the market’s sentiment is a key to a great profit.
• Learn how to trade on a high volatility.