Is Crude Looking to Break Higher?

Crude Still Caught In BetweenOil prices continue to hover around the 72.61 level as we cross over into the back end of the week. The market has been fairly congested recently as traders grapple with opposing market forces, struggling to establish a solid directional view. A stronger US Dollar is curtailing upside for now with the Fed pushing back against near-term rate-cut expectations.  Concerns over the economy in China are also having a dampening impact on prices. The latest GDP data out of China this week undershot forecasts, along with a much weaker set of retail sales, highlighting the issues there.OPEC Raises Demand ForecastsIn terms of supporting factors for the market, supply disruptions linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East are helping to offset some of this downward pressure. Continued disruptions to shipping routes in the Red Sea along with protests in Libya are still a major issue. Indeed, OPEC+ this week upgraded its demand outlook for the year ahead as a result of the conflict in the Middle East and the various disruption being caused as a result.Bullish Risks for CrudeLooking ahead, OPEC forecasts global oil demand to rise to 106.21 bpd in 2025, up from prior forecasts. This is linked to Middle East tensions as well as the disrupted US oil production as a result of extreme weather. Given the situation in the Middle East, prices look vulnerable to further upside near-term as a result of any incoming news linked to an escalation of violence there.Technical ViewsCrudeThe sell off in crude has stalled for now into a test of the 66.79 area support. Price is now testing the top of the bull channel and the 72.61 level resistance. With momentum studies moving higher, focus is on a further push to the topside above here with 77.64 the next resistance to note. Notably, we have an active buy signal in crude set below market at 71.25 suggesting a preference to buy any dip from current levels.