Crude oil prices seesawed yesterday. Early selling pressure seemingly driven by a stronger US Dollar was erased after Saudi Arabia said exports will drop by 100k barrels per day in August and dismissed oversupply concerns triggered after production rose by the most in three years last month. The move higher unraveled by day’s end, however, ultimately leaving the WTI benchmark little-changed.

Gold prices were also on the defensive as an initially stronger greenback undermined the appeal of the standby anti-fiat asset. Most of its downswing evaporated as comments from President Donald Trump pushed the US unit away from intraday highs. He said he was “not thrilled” about Fed interest rate hikes, adding that a strengthening currency puts the US at a disadvantage.

CRUDE OIL MAY FALL AS GOLD GAINS AMID RISK AVERSION

Looking ahead, Baker Hughes rig count data, as well as ICE and CFTC futures speculative positioning statistics, are unlikely to offer a significant lead for oil prices. An otherwise quiet economic data docket may leave sentiment trends in the spotlight. S&P 500 futures are pointing lower, hinting at an emerging risk-off mood. That may nudge gold higher as bond yields decline while crude falls with other risk-geared assets.

GOLD TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Gold prices are probing below the 38.2% Fibonacci expansion at 1217.29, with a break confirmed on a daily closing basis exposing the 50% level at 1202.28. Alternatively, a reversal back above support-turned-resistance at 1236.66 paves the way for another challenge of the 1260.80-66.44 area.

CRUDE OIL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Crude oil prices continue to hover near rising trend support defining the move higher since early February. A daily close below its lower bound at 65.97 initially exposes the 63.96-64.26 area. Alternatively, a sustained push back above the 68.74-69.53 zone opens the door for a foray back above $72/bbl figure.