Crude oil is regarded as one of the most important commodities to trade in India due to its constant worldwide demand. The increase and decrease of crude oil prices have far-reaching consequences globally. Because of this, crude oil is a popular alternative in commodities markets across the board, whether among day traders or long-term traders. The two largest users of crude oil worldwide are India and China. India’s demand for crude oil is expected to equal China’s by 2024, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) annual fuel report.
Crude oil futures are the most traded commodity in the world and provide higher liquidity as a result of their enormous volume of transactions. This beginner’s guide is the best place to start if you want to learn how to trade commodities or crude oil futures.
What Exactly Is Crude Oil?
Crude oil is unrefined petroleum that occurs spontaneously. It is a fossil fuel made up of organic components and hydrocarbon deposits. Demand for crude oil continues to rise for two reasons:
- By refining crude oil, one may make goods such as gasoline, kerosene, and diesel that are in great demand.
- Crude oil is a fossil fuel that cannot be replenished. Hence, it is limited and cannot be replaced once used.
Crude oil types
The kind of crude oil is determined by both the oil’s physical qualities and its geographical location. Although there are hundreds of other types of crude oil sold on the worldwide market, Brent and West Texas Intermediate are the two main varieties that act as global oil price benchmarks.
- Brent Crude Oil: In the North Sea, there are 15 separate oil fields from which Brent crude oil is produced. Brent accounts for up to two-thirds of all worldwide crude oil contract trading.
- WTI Crude Oil: As the name implies, WTI crude oil is derived from US oil fields, principally in Texas, Louisiana, and North Dakota. Due to its low density and low sulphur level, it is referred to as “light sweet crude oil.” Because of these properties, it is less expensive to produce and easier to refine than “heavy” or “sour” oils. WTI is the primary benchmark for oil consumption in the United States.
The value of crude oil
Crude oil, in particular, is regarded as an exceptionally valuable commodity in the commodities market since it can be processed into common goods such as gasoline, diesel, and other petrochemicals, all of which are in constant demand. It is presently the world’s principal energy source. In the contemporary world, there is an expanding human population and consumption of agricultural and leisure commodities. As a result, there is a greater need for energy, putting supply and demand under pressure.
Features of the crude oil market that are significant
Crude oil is a more volatile commodity with longer trending moves when compared to other commodities.But unless you control an oil corporation like the IOC, ONGC, BPCL, etc., crude oil futures trading is mostly for speculation rather than delivery.
To conduct cautious commodities trading with oil, one must get acquainted with the following characteristics of the crude oil market:
One of the most traded commodities in the world is crude oil. Because crude oil is used in the production of a variety of goods, any change in its price also affects the pricing of these items.
- Oil prices are likely to change far more than in most other areas, making the oil market particularly unpredictable. But it is this volatility that creates trading opportunities and makes day trading profitable. The following important variables affect the price of crude oil as a commodity:
- The price of crude oil, like any other commodity, is influenced by supply and demand rules. Crude oil prices are impacted by diminishing capacity due to production costs, storage capacity, and interest rates. Lately, an unusual mix of oversupply and persistent demand has put upward pressure on oil prices.
- OPEC announcements: The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, is an organisation comprised of the world’s top oil-producing countries. Some OPEC pronouncements can influence investor expectations and cause short-term swings in crude oil prices.
- Dollar value: The United States is a major player in crude oil trade globally. The current value of the dollar has a significant influence on the overall worth of crude oil as a result.
Political unrest and natural disasters in oil-producing regions such as the Middle East, as well as oil delivery lines, have an influence on oil pricing.
Crude oil trade price
Oil prices are extremely volatile and greatly impacted by supply, demand, and market sentiment. There are a number of factors that affect oil trading prices in the UK, including the following:
- Natural catastrophes, conflict, and civil turmoil
- Seasonal Demand
- Population growth
- Global economic expansion
- Shipment options and freight costs
- Alternative fuel developments, including a desire for renewable energy
How to Trade Oil
Crude oil can be traded using products designed for both long-term and short-term investment, either by purchasing and selling the underlying asset or by speculating on price changes through a trading platform. Here are the most important techniques for trading on the oil market.
Spread betting on crude oil
Spread betting, our most popular derivative product, enables traders to trade on the movement of oil prices for a variety of commodities, including crude oil, Brent, and West Texas Intermediate. Spread betting is a leveraged commodity, which means that just a percentage of the total transaction value is required to create a position.
Crude oil spread betting may be a dangerous endeavour because the commodities market is notoriously unpredictable, particularly during times of economic crisis or upheaval. Before registering a genuine account, you may trade using our spread betting demo account with virtual funds. Spread betting is popular in the UK because it allows investors to trade thousands of products tax-free, including Brent and WTI crude oil.
Oil CFDs
Oil CFDs Contracts for difference (CFDs) are a sort of financial derivative that, like spread betting, enable you to create a position on crude oil depending on whether you believe the price of the commodity will climb or decline. The key distinction between CFDs and spread betting, though, is how they are taxed.