CL technical analysis

CL Technical Analysis

Analysis date

July 14, 2026

Market

NYMEX (USD)

Daily cutoff

July 13, 2026

Reliability

Passed

Informational use only. This page is not investment advice.

Data verification

CL Data Verification

Cross-validating the latest completed daily bar across independent sources.

Symbol
CL
Market
NYMEX
Currency
USD (US Dollar)
Latest completed bar
July 13, 2026

No adjustment factor (futures contract; no dividend adjustments). CL=F is the active front-month continuous contract on NYMEX. Rolling between contracts may introduce minor discontinuities.

SourceLatest CloseDateDifferenceStatus
Yahoo Finance Chart API (primary)78.14July 13, 2026-Verified
Investing.com (independent)78.14July 13, 2026 (previous close)0.00%Verified

Bottom line

CL Technical Analysis Summary

Crude Oil futures (CL) display a mixed technical picture across timeframes. The daily chart shows price at 78.14, above SMA20 (73.31) and SMA200 (74.29) but below SMA50 (87.29). The daily MACD histogram turned positive at 1.29, suggesting bearish momentum is fading, while RSI14 at 51.25 sits neutral at the midline. The weekly chart is more cautious, with price at 71.41 below SMA20 (89.50), SMA50 (72.54), and SMA200 (74.79), and the weekly MACD histogram deeply negative at -4.12, indicating persistent medium-term weakness. The contract trades near the lower portion of its 52-week range at 35.9% daily and 21.8% weekly. Key support rests at 67.04 (20/60-period low on daily), followed by 63.60 (weekly 20-period low) and 54.98 (52-week low). Key resistance is at 87.29 (daily SMA50), then 87.23 (daily 20-period high) and 89.50 (weekly SMA20). A sustained close above 87.29 would improve the short-term outlook; a break below 67.04 would confirm ongoing bearish pressure.

Multi-timeframe dashboard

Multi-Timeframe Technical Dashboard

Comparing daily (2-year) and weekly (5-year) perspectives to identify aligned or conflicting signals.

Daily (July 13, 2026)

Trend
Mixed with short-term improvement. Price at 78.14 is above SMA20 (73.31) and SMA200 (74.29) but below SMA50 (87.29). The price recovered from the 20-period low of 67.04, trading in the upper half of the recent range. SMA200 at 74.29 provides structural support, while SMA50 at 87.29 acts as the next resistance. The SMA20 at 73.31 is sloping upward.
Momentum
Neutral turning positive. RSI14 at 51.25 is at the 50 midline, indicating no directional bias. MACD at -4.02 remains below the signal line at -5.31, but the histogram has turned positive at 1.29, signaling that bearish momentum is weakening. This early reversal signal needs confirmation from a MACD line crossover.
Volatility
Elevated. ATR14 at 3.25 (4.16% of price) reflects above-average daily swings for crude oil. Bollinger Bands (64.44 to 82.18) show price near the upper band after the recent rally, suggesting expanded volatility. The wide band width reflects the geopolitical uncertainty impacting oil markets.
Volume
Near average. Latest volume is 98.0% of the 20-period average, indicating normal participation levels during the recent price recovery.

Assessment

The daily chart shows a constructive short-term recovery with price rallying from 67.04 to 78.14 in a week. The positive MACD histogram is an encouraging early signal, but the price remains below SMA50 (87.29), and RSI is neutral. The recent rally needs to sustain above SMA20 and challenge SMA50 for a more confident bullish assessment. The elevated ATR reflects the current high-volatility environment driven by geopolitical developments.

Weekly (July 6, 2026 week)

Trend
Bearish. Price at 71.41 is below SMA20 (89.50), SMA50 (72.54), and SMA200 (74.79), placing all major moving averages above price. SMA20 is well below SMA50, and both are below SMA200, forming a bearish moving average arrangement. This reflects sustained weakness over the medium term.
Momentum
Bearish. RSI14 at 43.70 is below the 50 midline, indicating negative momentum. MACD at 0.38 is well below the signal line at 4.50 with a negative histogram of -4.12, confirming persistent bearish momentum on the weekly timeframe that has not shown signs of reversal.
Volatility
Very high. ATR14 at 13.82 (19.35% of price) reflects extreme weekly ranges, characteristic of the geopolitical premium in oil markets. Bollinger Bands (63.57 to 115.44) are exceptionally wide, reflecting high uncertainty.
Volume
Below average. Weekly volume at 86.3% of the 20-week average, consistent with summer seasonality and reduced participation.

Assessment

The weekly chart paints a challenging picture. Price trading below all three major SMAs is a structurally bearish configuration. The deeply negative MACD histogram (-4.12) confirms that selling pressure remains dominant on the weekly timeframe. The significant gap between current price (71.41) and SMA20 (89.50) suggests that even a sharp rally would take time to repair the technical damage. The extreme ATR (19.35%) highlights the unpredictable geopolitical environment. A weekly close above SMA50 (72.54) would be the first step toward stabilization.

Key indicators

CL Key Technical Indicators

RSI, MACD, moving averages, ATR, and Bollinger Bands across daily and weekly timeframes.

IndicatorDailyWeekly
RSI (14)51.2543.70
MACD (12, 26, 9)-4.02 / -5.31 / 1.290.38 / 4.50 / -4.12
ATR (14)3.25 (4.16%)13.82 (19.35%)
Bollinger Bands (20, 2)64.44 - 82.1863.57 - 115.44
SMA (20)73.3189.50
SMA (50)87.2972.54
SMA (200)74.2974.79

Price structure

CL Price Structure and Returns

Price performance across multiple lookback periods and 52-week position.

MetricDailyWeekly
Current Price78.1471.41
1-Period Return+9.42%+3.82%
5-Period Return+13.99%-21.13%
20-Period Return-10.91%+7.56%
60-Period Return-14.40%+14.27%
252-Period Return+17.38%+2.42%
52-Week Low54.9854.98
52-Week High119.48130.50
52-Week Position35.91%21.76%

Key levels

CL Support and Resistance Levels

Key price levels based on recent swing highs and lows across daily and weekly timeframes.

LevelDailyWeekly
20-Period High87.23119.48
20-Period Low67.0463.60
60-Period High110.93119.48
60-Period Low67.0454.98

Scenarios

CL Technical Scenarios

Conditions, invalidation triggers, and what to watch for each scenario.

Bullish

Trigger

Price closes above daily SMA50 at 87.29 with above-average volume, and the weekly MACD histogram begins to narrow toward zero.

Invalidation

Price breaks below the 20-period low at 67.04.

What to watch

Sustained trading above SMA20 (73.31); daily RSI moving above 60; weekly MACD histogram showing signs of compression; volume expanding on up days.

Range-Bound

Trigger

Price oscillates between 67.04 support and the 82-87 resistance zone.

Invalidation

A decisive break of either boundary with expanding ATR.

What to watch

RSI fluctuating between 40 and 60; MACD histogram oscillating near zero; Bollinger Bands width stabilizing; geopolitical headlines driving intraweek swings.

Bearish

Trigger

Price breaks below the 20-period low at 67.04 and then the 52-week low at 54.98.

Invalidation

Price reclaims weekly SMA50 at 72.54 and holds above it.

What to watch

Sustained trading below SMA20 (73.31); daily RSI slipping below 40; weekly MACD histogram becoming more negative; volume expanding on selloffs; geopolitical de-escalation reducing the risk premium.

Methodology

Methodology and Limitations

This technical analysis uses adjusted closing prices from Yahoo Finance (primary) and Investing.com (independent cross-validation). The daily analysis covers approximately 2 years (503 completed bars) ending July 13, 2026. The weekly analysis covers approximately 5 years (262 completed bars) ending the week of July 6, 2026. Prices are for the CL=F continuous front-month futures contract on NYMEX. The contract rolls periodically, and roll adjustments may cause minor discontinuities in the continuous series. Volume data represents total contract turnover and may differ from source to source. Technical indicators include SMA, RSI, MACD, ATR, and Bollinger Bands using standard parameters. Key levels are identified from recent swing highs and lows. Technical analysis studies historical price patterns and does not constitute investment advice. It should not be used as the sole basis for trading decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

This technical analysis is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or a solicitation to buy or sell any commodity, futures contract, or security. Past performance and historical patterns are not guarantees of future results. Futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making trading or investment decisions.

Data sourced from Yahoo Finance (primary) and Finviz (independent cross-validation). Data cutoffs: daily July 13, 2026, weekly July 6, 2026 week. Generated July 14, 2026.