Energy Futures Are Pulling Back This Morning With The Prompt Month Diesel Contract Leading The Way Lower

Energy futures are pulling back this morning with the prompt month diesel contract leading the way lower, currently down around 5.5 cents to start the day. The October gasoline contract is down just over two cents while November crude oil futures (which is prompt this late in the month), is down about 50 cents per barrel. A rising US dollar and recession fears are taking credit for today’s negative price action, driving oil prices down to levels not seen since January.

Hurricane Ian is expected to develop into a major Hurricane just before making landfall in Cuba and Jamaica early tomorrow morning and maintain that status before hitting the central west coast of Florida by Friday. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall, hurricane-force winds, a sizeable storm surge, and flooding to the greater Tampa Bay area late this week. While it may cause a high level of localized damage, right now it seems the majority of the Gulf Coast energy infrastructure has dodged a bullet.

Another disturbance has queued up behind Ian but looks to be staying out to sea for the next week.

Money managers trimmed their short bets on both major crude oil futures last week, showing signs of profit-taking by the speculators that have taken advantage of the bearish trend we’ve seen since June. Many market participants are still sitting out though, with open interest for both crude oil grades at 6 year lows.

Baker Hughes reported an increase in active oil production rigs last week, bringing the total of active crude platforms to 602 (+3) in the US. Natural gas plants dropped by two last week.

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