What is driving WTI Crude Oil prices higher today?

WTI Crude Oil (XTI/USD) is up 0.73% today, navigating a mix of US-Iran geopolitical headlines and shifting Federal Reserve expectations.

How will today's US PMI data affect the WTI Crude Oil (XTI/USD) forecast today?

The US S&P Global Services and Manufacturing PMIs will provide economic insight at 13:45 UTC. Prints differing from the respective estimates of 56 and 53.5 could influence market momentum.

What are the key resistance and support levels to watch for XTI/USD?

The nearest resistance sits at the daily pivot at 90.388, while the closest support is the previous day low at 88.371. A move past the pivot exposes further resistance at R1 at 92.405.

WTI Crude Oil (XTI/USD) Forecast Today: Mixed Trends Near 90

Daily outlook Neutral bias Sep 23, 2026, 12:32 UTC

Elena MarquezCommodities & Gold Analyst · ForexR analyst

WTI Crude Oil sees mixed trend signals as price reclaims the 90 mark. Traders focus on the daily pivot at 90.388 to gauge directional bias ahead of US economic data.

Unrecognizable man writing plan in journal and gadgets lying around on desk

Price90.127

Day change+0.73%

Day range88.295 - 90.509

ATR (14)3.921

Resistance	Level	Support	Level
R3	97.353	S1	87.457
R2	95.336	S2	85.440
R1	92.405	S3	82.509
Previous day high	93.319	Previous day low	88.371
20-day high	102.135	20-day low	79.300
Daily pivot 90.388. Data as of 2026-09-23 12:30 UTC; price from a live feed, levels computed from the previous completed daily bar.

WTI Crude Oil (XTI/USD) 1-hour chart with the daily pivot at 90.388, R1 92.405, R2 95.336, S1 87.457, S2 85.440 and the bullish and bearish scenario paths — WTI Crude Oil (XTI/USD), 1-hour candles with the daily pivot levels, the range between nearest support and resistance, and both scenario paths. Data as of 2026-09-23 12:30 UTC.

WTI Crude Oil Reclaims the 90 Mark

WTI Crude Oil (XTI/USD) is trading at 90.127 during the London and New York overlap, up 0.653 or 0.73% on the day. Traders watching the live WTI Crude Oil (XTI/USD) rate, chart and pivots will note today's session has seen price span from a low of 88.295 to a high of 90.509. This 2.21 intraday range represents 56% of the 14-day Average True Range (ATR), which sits at 3.92.

Momentum and Trend Conflict

The timeframes offer conflicting signals for crude oil. The daily trend is mixed, with price sitting above the 200-period EMA at 78.705. The shorter 50-period EMA on the daily chart stands at 87.707, while the 20-period EMA is positioned at 92.027. The H4 trend is down, contradicting the daily picture. On this timeframe, the 20-period EMA is 91.808 and the 50-period EMA rests at 93.62. The H1 timeframe also shows a mixed state, with its 20-period EMA at 89.728 and its 50-period EMA at 90.94. The 14-day RSI stands at 48, indicating neutral momentum. Looking at recent performance, WTI Crude Oil is down 10.74% over the past five days, despite showing a broader gain of 11.67% over the 20-day window. Because the timeframes do not align, our short-term bias is neutral.

Technical Levels to Watch

The nearest resistance is the daily pivot at 90.388. Below the market, the nearest support is the previous day low at 88.371. Looking at the broader structure, resistance steps up to R1 at 92.405, R2 at 95.336, and R3 at 97.353. Support rests at S1 at 87.457, S2 at 85.44, and S3 at 82.509.

The previous day recorded a high of 93.319 and a low of 88.371. Zooming out, the 5-day range is defined by a high of 100.931 and a low of 88.371. The 20-day extremes sit further apart, showing a high at 102.135 and a low at 79.3. Immediate round-number boundaries surround the current price at 90.5 above and 90 below.

Breakout and Breakdown Scenarios

In a bullish scenario, a break above the trigger at R1 at 92.405 would open the way to a target of R2 at 95.336. This move would require a climb of 2.93 to reach the target from the trigger. A move back below the daily pivot at 90.388 would invalidate that view.

On the downside, if selling pressure takes hold, a break below the trigger at S1 at 87.457 could drive a decline toward the target of S2 at 85.44. This drop measures a distance of 2.02 from trigger to target. This bearish case would be invalidated by a recovery above the daily pivot at 90.388. Traders can assess these trade parameters using a risk and reward calculator.

US PMI Data and Geopolitical Newsflow

Today's economic calendar brings several US releases at 13:45 UTC, including the S&P Global Services PMI, estimated at 56 against a previous 56.5, and the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI, forecast at 53.5 from 53.9. The S&P Global Composite PMI will also be published at 13:45 UTC, following a previous print of 56. Later, Fed's Barr speaks at 14:05 UTC, and the EIA Crude Oil Stocks Change is due at 14:30 UTC, with estimates pointing to a reading of -0.7 following a previous -0.64.

In the news, media coverage highlights shifting Federal Reserve rate expectations and geopolitical developments. Traders are weighing headlines concerning US-Iran talks at the UN and updates on Saudi supply dynamics, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Bloomberg Markets and Finance. News sentiment shows a media mood of 96 out of 100 and a 54% bullish share, alongside an opportunity reading of neutral. As context, CFTC positioning data for the week to September 15 showed speculators reduced net long WTI Crude Oil (XTI/USD). US Treasury yields at the daily close of September 22 saw the 2-year yield at 4.71%, down 5 basis points, and the 10-year yield at 4.96%, seeing a change of 0 basis points.

Bottom Line

WTI Crude Oil (XTI/USD) is hovering near the 90 round level as mixed trend signals suggest near-term indecision. Traders will look to see if price can clear the daily pivot at 90.388 to establish a directional footing before today's US PMI releases shape the session.