WTI recovers above mid-$98.00s after gap lower as Hormuz risks offset OPEC+ output hike
Ni Haresh Menghani
Na-update: 4 May 2026
Sikat na Artikulo
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) – the benchmark US Crude Oil price – rebounds following a bearish gap opening to the $96.45 area on Monday, though it sticks to modest intraday losses through the Asian session.
- WTI attracts some dip-buying following a modest bearish gap down opening on Monday.
- Rising Iran tensions and Hormuz risks turn out to be key factors supporting the commodity.
- The OPEC+ decision to increase Oil output and a modest USD rebound cap further upside.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) – the benchmark US Crude Oil price – rebounds following a bearish gap opening to the $96.45 area on Monday, though it sticks to modest intraday losses through the Asian session. The commodity currently trades just above mid-$98.00s, still down over 1% for the day, amid mixed cues.
US President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that the US would begin an effort to free up ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's National Security Commission, issued a formal warning that any US interference in the strategic waterway would constitute a ceasefire violation. This, in turn, raises the risk of a further escalation of tensions in the region and revives concerns about a further disruption of supplies through the Strait. Apart from this, the lack of progress in the US-Iran peace talks turned out to be a key factor acting as a tailwind for Crude Oil prices.
Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, or OPEC+, agreed to increase oil output for the third consecutive month, by 188,000 barrels per day in June for seven members. Moreover, the emergence of some US Dollar (USD) dip-buying keeps Crude Oil prices in the red for the third consecutive day. Persistent geopolitical uncertainties, along with reviving bets for a rate hike by the US Federal Reserve (Fed), support the Greenback. This warrants some caution before confirming that the recent pullback from a nearly two-month high, touched last Thursday, has run its course.
WTI Oil FAQs
WTI Oil is a type of Crude Oil sold on international markets. The WTI stands for West Texas Intermediate, one of three major types including Brent and Dubai Crude. WTI is also referred to as “light” and “sweet” because of its relatively low gravity and sulfur content respectively. It is considered a high quality Oil that is easily refined. It is sourced in the United States and distributed via the Cushing hub, which is considered “The Pipeline Crossroads of the World”. It is a benchmark for the Oil market and WTI price is frequently quoted in the media.
Like all assets, supply and demand are the key drivers of WTI Oil price. As such, global growth can be a driver of increased demand and vice versa for weak global growth. Political instability, wars, and sanctions can disrupt supply and impact prices. The decisions of OPEC, a group of major Oil-producing countries, is another key driver of price. The value of the US Dollar influences the price of WTI Crude Oil, since Oil is predominantly traded in US Dollars, thus a weaker US Dollar can make Oil more affordable and vice versa.
The weekly Oil inventory reports published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Energy Information Agency (EIA) impact the price of WTI Oil. Changes in inventories reflect fluctuating supply and demand. If the data shows a drop in inventories it can indicate increased demand, pushing up Oil price. Higher inventories can reflect increased supply, pushing down prices. API’s report is published every Tuesday and EIA’s the day after. Their results are usually similar, falling within 1% of each other 75% of the time. The EIA data is considered more reliable, since it is a government agency.
OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a group of 12 Oil-producing nations who collectively decide production quotas for member countries at twice-yearly meetings. Their decisions often impact WTI Oil prices. When OPEC decides to lower quotas, it can tighten supply, pushing up Oil prices. When OPEC increases production, it has the opposite effect. OPEC+ refers to an expanded group that includes ten extra non-OPEC members, the most notable of which is Russia.
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