API weekly crude stock exceeds forecasts, indicating weaker demand

Published 18/03/2025, 21:44
API weekly crude stock exceeds forecasts, indicating weaker demand

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has released its weekly report on US crude oil, gasoline, and distillate stocks, revealing a higher than expected increase in crude inventories.

The actual figure reported by the API was 4.593 million barrels, significantly surpassing the forecasted increase of 1.170 million barrels. This sharp rise in crude inventories is indicative of a weaker demand, a bearish sign for crude prices according to the API’s inventory mechanism.

In comparison to the previous week’s data, the current figure also shows a higher increase. The previous report had registered an increase of 4.247 million barrels, implying that the demand for crude has weakened even further over the week.

The API’s weekly crude stock report is a significant indicator of US petroleum demand. A higher than expected increase in crude inventories suggests that the supply of crude oil, gasoline, and distillates exceeds the demand, thereby exerting downward pressure on crude prices.

On the flip side, if the increase in crude inventories is less than expected, it would imply a greater demand, which is bullish for crude prices. Similarly, a decline in inventories that is more than expected also signals a bullish trend for crude prices.

The current data, however, indicates a bearish trend for crude prices, considering the higher than expected increase in crude inventories. This could potentially impact the global oil market, given the significant role of the US in global crude oil supply and demand.

The API’s report is closely watched by investors and analysts as it provides a weekly update on the state of the US petroleum industry, offering insights into the balance between supply and demand in one of the world’s largest oil-consuming nations. The latest data, indicating a surplus in supply, could lead to strategic decisions by oil producers and investors in the coming days.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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