{"id":37876,"date":"2025-12-30T11:40:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T03:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/?p=37876"},"modified":"2025-12-30T11:40:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T03:40:08","slug":"oil-slips-as-global-clash-offsets-steady-demand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/analysis\/oil-slips-as-global-clash-offsets-steady-demand\/","title":{"rendered":"Oil Slips as Global Clash Offsets Steady Demand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/Oil6-1024x573.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41762\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key Points<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Front-month WTI fell 0.3% to $57.91 per barrel, while Brent slipped 0.3% to $61.76.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prices trade near recent lows as steady demand meets rising global risk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Crude oil prices edged lower in early Asian trading as markets balanced stable demand against a complex mix of macro and global political signals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Front-month WTI crude futures eased 0.3% to $57.91 per barrel, while front-month Brent crude slipped 0.3% to $61.76 per barrel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Here\u2019s the latest news and analysis on the oil market <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oyq7qPwI9h\">https:\/\/t.co\/oyq7qPwI9h<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Bloomberg (@business) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/business\/status\/2005790218310271217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Analysts at our research desk say prices continue to fluctuate at low levels as traders weigh fundamentals against broader risks. The market has yet to find a clear directional catalyst, keeping price action range-bound after recent declines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Demand Holds Steady But Lacks Momentum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Underlying oil demand remains relatively steady, according to analysts, which has helped prevent a sharper sell-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consumption indicators have not deteriorated materially, but they also <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/l4Xo79DSQU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">lack the strength needed<\/a> to lift prices decisively from current levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This balance has kept crude anchored near recent lows, with traders reluctant to build aggressive positions ahead of clearer signals on global growth and energy consumption into early 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">US\u2013Venezuela Tensions Add Risk Premium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Geopolitical risk remains a key variable. Traders are closely monitoring <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Bo7v0fsp3p\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">tensions between the United States and Venezuela<\/a> after <strong>Donald Trump<\/strong> said on Monday that the US recently attacked a dock area in <strong>Venezuela<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These developments have raised concerns around potential supply disruptions, particularly involving Venezuelan exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Venezuela started shutting wells in a region that holds the world\u2019s largest deposits of oil in the face of a blockade by the Trump administration meant to financially squeeze the nation <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ESdA4wc9FR\">https:\/\/t.co\/ESdA4wc9FR<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Bloomberg (@business) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/business\/status\/2005749809378947453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the impact on prices has so far been muted, suggesting markets see the risk as contained rather than immediately threatening global supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Macro Backdrop Keeps Pressure on Prices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The broader macro environment continues to weigh on oil. Expectations of slower global growth and cautious risk appetite have capped upside moves, even as global headlines emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traders remain focused on how US monetary policy and global demand trends may evolve in the first quarter of next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A federal regulator approved the restart of Sable\u2019s contested California oil pipeline that leaked 3,000 barrels of crude along the Santa Barbara coastline a decade ago. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zZPaO755wP\">https:\/\/t.co\/zZPaO755wP<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Bloomberg (@business) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/business\/status\/2003535822788706713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With prices already trading near multi-month lows, macro uncertainty has discouraged strong buying interest, reinforcing a wait-and-see approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Technical Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WTI crude is attempting a modest rebound after falling to a recent low near <strong>$54.87<\/strong>, capping off a multi-month downtrend from its <strong>$77.89<\/strong> peak in mid-2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 5\/10\/30 moving averages are still aligned bearishly, but price has stabilised above $58 and is beginning to flatten out, hinting at a potential base-building phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/image-42-1024x448.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37877\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>MACD<\/strong> remains below the zero line but shows signs of convergence, suggesting downside momentum is slowing. For bulls, reclaiming the $60.00\u2013$61.50 range is key to shifting short-term sentiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Failure to do so could see prices retest the $55.00 zone or even break lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Cautious Outlook as Risks Remain Balanced<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Oil prices may continue to drift within current ranges as steady demand offsets geopolitical risk and macro headwinds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless tensions escalate sharply or demand data surprise to the upside, rallies may struggle to gain traction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the near term, WTI may hold between $55.00 and $60.00, while Brent may remain capped between $60.00 and $64.00 as markets await clearer signals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Learn more about trading <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/energies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Energies<\/a> on VT Markets <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/Insights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WTI and Brent edge lower in Asia as US\u2013Venezuela tensions clash with steady demand and soft macro signals. &#8211; vtmarkets.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":41762,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[5,66],"class_list":["post-37876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","tag-commodities","tag-oil"],"acf":{"acf_article_selection_author":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37876"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37876\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}