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📰 Today’s Market News

(August 22, 2025) – Fuel, Oil, and Economic Updates for the Heartland

📉 U.S. Fuel Inventory Update

The latest government report shows that U.S. fuel inventories saw some big changes last week:

• Crude oil supplies dropped by 6 million barrels, a much bigger decline than expected. This drop was driven by lower imports and a jump in exports.

• Gasoline stocks also fell by 2.7 million barrels, with a big chunk of that coming from the Midwest region (PADD 2), where gasoline levels dropped by 1.23 million barrels.

• Diesel (distillates) saw an increase of 2.3 million barrels.

Refineries were busy too—crude oil processing increased slightly and utilization rates are now at 96.6%, showing strong domestic demand and solid refining activity.

🌍 Saudi Arabia’s Oil Exports

Saudi Arabia—the world’s top oil exporter—cut back its crude exports in June to the lowest level in three months, even though production actually went up. Their goal: to help OPEC+ regain market share.

Here’s what’s happening:

• OPEC+ (which includes Russia and others) agreed to keep raising production, with another 547,000 barrels per day being added in September.

• While that may help keep global prices in check, if demand keeps rising faster than supply, prices could still climb.

Why it matters to you: Less oil leaving Saudi Arabia can tighten the global supply chain, especially if demand stays strong—which impacts the fuel prices you see here at home.

📊 U.S. Jobless Claims

Jobless claims rose to 235,000 last week, up 11,000 from the week before. It’s the highest level since June.
Continuing unemployment claims have now stayed above 1.9 million for 13 weeks straight, the highest since late 2021.

This could be a sign that the job market is cooling off—a key factor the Federal Reserve watches when deciding whether to cut interest rates in the coming months.

🛢️ Market Outlook

Oil prices are moving higher this morning. Why?

• The big drawdown in fuel inventories signals strong demand.

• Ongoing uncertainty in Ukraine and possible new sanctions on Russian oil are making traders nervous, pushing prices up.

Still, with crude supplies rising at the Cushing, OK hub, some analysts believe that part of the big drawdown was due to increased exports and refining activity, not just stronger demand.

📈 Energy Highlights: WTI Crude Futures

Crude oil is expected to stay in a tight trading range. Here’s what to watch:

• Resistance (upside limits): $64.59 and $65.00

• Support (downside cushion): $59.74 and $55.30

Prices are mainly reacting to news from overseas, especially any developments in Russia-Ukraine talks.

📞 Want to know what this could mean for your farm fuel budget? Give your account manager a call—we’re here to help you stay ahead.

The information, materials, and opinions (“Cooperative Energy Company Materials”) provided by Cooperative Energy Company are for general informational purposes only. They are not intended as legal, trading, or professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Cooperative Energy Company does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular purpose of these materials and assumes no liability for any use, errors, or omissions.