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EIA Reports Surprise U.S. Crude Build, Fuel Stockpiles Drop
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Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday after the U.S. Energy Department's mixed inventory release. The front month West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures lost 0.9% (or 53 cents) to $59.41 per barrel yesterday. The report showed that crude stockpiles recorded a surpise weekly build on lower refinery consumption but product inventories (gasoline and distillate) experienced hefty draws.
Overall, crude is being supported by the so-called OPEC+ deal that is cutting production by around 1.2 million barrels per day until the end of June. U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and Iran also continue to tighten the commodity’s fundamentals.
The positive sentiments helped push oil prices to their highest level in four months recently, with WTI moving past $60 per barrel. While crude futures have eased back slightly from their multi-month highs, it continues to remain within touching distance of the $60-a-barrel mark.
Analysis of the EIA Data
Crude Oil: The federal government’s EIA report revealed that crude inventories rose by 2.8 million barrels for the week ending Mar 22, following a decrease of 9.6 million barrels in the previous week. The analysts surveyed by S&P Global Platts – the leading independent commodities and energy data provider – had expected crude stocks to go down some 2.2 million barrels.
Strong domestic production, a sharp fall in exports and tepid refiner demand led to the surprise stockpile build with the world's biggest oil consumer. Moreover, the latest report shows that stocks at the Cushing terminal in Oklahoma – the key delivery hub for U.S. crude futures traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange – was up 541,000 barrels to 46.9 million barrels.
At 442.3 million barrels, current crude supplies are 2.9% above the year-ago figure but 2% under the five-year average. The crude supply cover was up from 27.4 days in the previous week to 27.6 days. In the year-ago period, the supply cover was 26.1 days.
Gasoline: Gasoline supplies recorded the sixth straight week of drop as production fell. The 2.9 million barrels decline – below the polled number of 3.6 million barrels fall – took gasoline stockpiles down to 238.6 million barrels. Following last week’s draw, the stock of the most widely used petroleum product is now 0.4% below the year-earlier level but are 2% over the five-year range.
Distillate: Distillate fuel supplies (including diesel and heating oil) fell 2.1 million barrels last week, while analysts were looking for an inventory draw of just 800,000 barrels. The large decrease could be attributed to export growth. Despite the decline, current supplies – at 130.2 million barrels – are around 0.9% higher than the year-ago level though stocks remain 5% below than the five-year average.
Refinery Rates: Refinery utilization was down by 2.3% from the prior week to 86.6%.
About the Weekly Petroleum Status Report
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) Petroleum Status Report, containing data of the previous week ending Friday, outlines information regarding the weekly change in petroleum inventories held and produced by the U.S., both locally and abroad.
The report provides an overview of the level of reserves and their movements, thereby helping investors understand the demand/supply dynamics of petroleum products. It is an indicator of current oil prices and volatility that affect the businesses of the companies engaged in the oil and refining industry.
While easing oversupply concerns and hopes of U.S.-China trade deal helped oil to bounce back above $60, it remains to be seen if it can maintain the recent gains. One factor that could undermine the efforts to tighten the market is the seemingly relentless increase in crude oil production across the U.S. shale patch.
Meaning, there remains a lot of uncertainty around the commodity right now, which can lead to volatility and price fluctuations. At this time, it might be prudent for investors to maintain caution and look for fundamentally sound stocks.
The 2019 Zacks Consensus Estimate for the provider of pressure pumping services in the Permian Basin is $2.39, representing 19.5% earnings per share growth over 2018. Next year’s average forecast is $2.62 pointing to another 9.7% growth.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
Who wouldn't? Our annual Top 10s have beaten the market with amazing regularity. In 2018, while the market dropped -5.2%, the portfolio scored well into double-digits overall with individual stocks rising as high as +61.5%. And from 2012-2017, while the market boomed +126.3, Zacks' Top 10s reached an even more sensational +181.9%.
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EIA Reports Surprise U.S. Crude Build, Fuel Stockpiles Drop
Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday after the U.S. Energy Department's mixed inventory release. The front month West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures lost 0.9% (or 53 cents) to $59.41 per barrel yesterday. The report showed that crude stockpiles recorded a surpise weekly build on lower refinery consumption but product inventories (gasoline and distillate) experienced hefty draws.
Overall, crude is being supported by the so-called OPEC+ deal that is cutting production by around 1.2 million barrels per day until the end of June. U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and Iran also continue to tighten the commodity’s fundamentals.
The positive sentiments helped push oil prices to their highest level in four months recently, with WTI moving past $60 per barrel. While crude futures have eased back slightly from their multi-month highs, it continues to remain within touching distance of the $60-a-barrel mark.
Analysis of the EIA Data
Crude Oil: The federal government’s EIA report revealed that crude inventories rose by 2.8 million barrels for the week ending Mar 22, following a decrease of 9.6 million barrels in the previous week. The analysts surveyed by S&P Global Platts – the leading independent commodities and energy data provider – had expected crude stocks to go down some 2.2 million barrels.
Strong domestic production, a sharp fall in exports and tepid refiner demand led to the surprise stockpile build with the world's biggest oil consumer. Moreover, the latest report shows that stocks at the Cushing terminal in Oklahoma – the key delivery hub for U.S. crude futures traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange – was up 541,000 barrels to 46.9 million barrels.
At 442.3 million barrels, current crude supplies are 2.9% above the year-ago figure but 2% under the five-year average. The crude supply cover was up from 27.4 days in the previous week to 27.6 days. In the year-ago period, the supply cover was 26.1 days.
Gasoline: Gasoline supplies recorded the sixth straight week of drop as production fell. The 2.9 million barrels decline – below the polled number of 3.6 million barrels fall – took gasoline stockpiles down to 238.6 million barrels. Following last week’s draw, the stock of the most widely used petroleum product is now 0.4% below the year-earlier level but are 2% over the five-year range.
Distillate: Distillate fuel supplies (including diesel and heating oil) fell 2.1 million barrels last week, while analysts were looking for an inventory draw of just 800,000 barrels. The large decrease could be attributed to export growth. Despite the decline, current supplies – at 130.2 million barrels – are around 0.9% higher than the year-ago level though stocks remain 5% below than the five-year average.
Refinery Rates: Refinery utilization was down by 2.3% from the prior week to 86.6%.
About the Weekly Petroleum Status Report
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) Petroleum Status Report, containing data of the previous week ending Friday, outlines information regarding the weekly change in petroleum inventories held and produced by the U.S., both locally and abroad.
The report provides an overview of the level of reserves and their movements, thereby helping investors understand the demand/supply dynamics of petroleum products. It is an indicator of current oil prices and volatility that affect the businesses of the companies engaged in the oil and refining industry.
The data from EIA generally acts as a catalyst for crude prices and affect producers, such as ExxonMobil (XOM - Free Report) , Chevron (CVX - Free Report) and ConocoPhillips (COP - Free Report) , and refiners such as Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) , Phillips 66 (PSX - Free Report) and Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) .
Want to Own an Energy Stock Now?
While easing oversupply concerns and hopes of U.S.-China trade deal helped oil to bounce back above $60, it remains to be seen if it can maintain the recent gains. One factor that could undermine the efforts to tighten the market is the seemingly relentless increase in crude oil production across the U.S. shale patch.
Meaning, there remains a lot of uncertainty around the commodity right now, which can lead to volatility and price fluctuations. At this time, it might be prudent for investors to maintain caution and look for fundamentally sound stocks.
If you are looking for a near-term energy play, ProPetro Holding Corp. (PUMP - Free Report) might be a good selection. ProPetro has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The 2019 Zacks Consensus Estimate for the provider of pressure pumping services in the Permian Basin is $2.39, representing 19.5% earnings per share growth over 2018. Next year’s average forecast is $2.62 pointing to another 9.7% growth.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
Who wouldn't? Our annual Top 10s have beaten the market with amazing regularity. In 2018, while the market dropped -5.2%, the portfolio scored well into double-digits overall with individual stocks rising as high as +61.5%. And from 2012-2017, while the market boomed +126.3, Zacks' Top 10s reached an even more sensational +181.9%.
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