Crude Oil futures erased all gains made this past month earlier today and was within $4 of last month’s multi-year low. April delivery crude oil futures settled today at $48.92 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange from their lows of $47.80 earlier in Thursday’s trading session.

We were cautioned by analysts to brace ourselves for a bounce back up to the $70 per barrel range, but all three attempts to follow-through above $55 fell short. It is probably because all eyes might have been on yesterday’s “Energy Information Administration’s” weekly report stating US crude oil inventories increased by 8.4 million barrels last week – when only a 4M increase was expected.

I understand a crude oil storage facility in Oklahoma reported storage at its highest capacity in over a year,” said Nicholas Medina, a futures and options specialist for Capital Trading Group in Chicago, sharing his fundamental analysis regarding the current crude oil futures situation. Medina added, Couple the glut of supply with a strong dollar and this month’s crude oil activity may be suggesting the overall move lower is far from over.”

The trend for crude oil futures is technically “down,” but at a crossroads. If crude oil futures were to break out above the $55 highs of this month, it’s first target should be $59, then $65 per barrel. However, a break below last month’s low could send crude oil futures to the low $30’s – if not lower.

ALL COMMENTARY IS CONSIDERED OPINION & VIEWS FROM THE AUTHOR AND NOT A SOLICITATION OF ANY SECURITIES. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING COMMODITY INTERESTS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL. YOU SHOULD THEREFORE CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.