INTELLIGENCE REPORT

WTI Crude Intelligence Report

July 6, 2026 · Intelligence Report · WTI Crude (NYMEX)

WTI crude at $69.09/bbl has corrected 26% from early-June levels as the US-Iran peace process restores Hormuz Strait flows and OPEC+ begins unwinding supply cuts. The geopolitical premium that drove prices to $113 in April has fully unwound. Yet the underlying market is not balanced: US commercial inventories at 412M bbl are the lowest since January 2025, Cushing has drained to a 12-year low (19M bbl), and global stock draws accelerated to -4.6 mb/d in May. The bear case (Hormuz fully reopening plus continued OPEC+ increases) is dominant at ~45% probability, but Cushing tightness creates a structural floor near $60-65/bbl. Buyers should adopt an opportunistic posture: layer partial hedges on dips below $65, leave exposure for further downside to $55.

WTI NYMEX Prompt
$69.09
+$0.40 (+0.58%)
/bbl · Jul 6, 2026
Previous Close
$68.69
Jul 2, 2026
YTD Change
+20.5%
From Jan 2 open ~$57.30
52-Week Range
$55.27
— $112.95/bbl
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Data as of July 6, 2026. Pipeline: NYMEX CL=F. Research cut-off: July 6, 2026.