RE: specboy & catmandue 666POINT 1 - 6 MILLION BARRELS WITH WTI...WHY WOULD REFINERS PURCHASE SOMUCH OIL AND STORE IT IF THEY THOUGH OIL WAS HEADING LOWER. CRACKSPREADS FOR GASOLINE HEADING HIGHER.
Because they bought the oil at the spot price of $37 and have already sold it for the December contract price of around $55. All they have to do now is hold it for 11 months and they make $18 a barrel. Their $55 is guaranteed. That's why all those tankers are sitting full of oil, they will deliver the oil in December for $55 as promised. As we get closer to December, the spot price and futures price will merge. Whether it is higher than $55 or lower than $30 is anyone's guess. We'll just have to wait and see what the demand is like. Can oil go lower than $32? I wouldn't bet against it. A lot has to do with demand (inventory) and the U.S. $.
WizWiz