Crude oil prices have been rising over the past few sessions with Brent has settled above the $74.50 area. However, the market lacks further upside momentum and the risks of resuming the decline remain. The key immediate obstacle for bulls now comes at $75, with the next upside barrier lies around $75.20, where the 50-DMA lies.
The prices were recently supported as US sanctions on Iranian goods come into effect and now traders get more concerned over the upcoming sanctions on Iranian oil due in November. In another sign of bullishness, the API data overnight showed that crude oil stockpiles declined by more than six million barrels last week. Now, investors are eager to see a confirmation of bullish figures from the official report by EIA due later today.
Despite the ongoing recovery, the potential for further rise in Brent crude looks limited, and the price shows signs of momentum exhaustion already. The longer the asset remains below the $75 handle, the greater becomes the risk of a downside correction in the short term as the market needs additional catalyst to proceed with the corrective rebound.