Crude oil prices slipped in early Tuesday trading, reversing recent stability as concerns over demand outlook and persistent supply pressures weighed on market sentiment.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for October 2025 delivery declined by $0.82, or 1.28 percent, to settle at $63.15 per barrel as of 3:09 a.m. EDT. Brent crude for November 2025 delivery also moved lower, dropping $0.84, or 1.24 percent, to $66.76 per barrel.
Analysts pointed to a mix of factors driving the downturn, including expectations of softer U.S. fuel consumption following the end of the summer driving season and signals of stronger OPEC+ output ahead of year-end. Traders also highlighted that despite geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, which have occasionally lent support to prices, the underlying fundamentals remain shaped by oversupply and tepid global demand.
Market watchers noted that both benchmarks remain locked in a narrow trading band that has defined much of the past month, reflecting an uneasy balance between supply risks and weak consumption trends. The decline underscores the fragility of oil prices, with futures traders staying cautious amid shifting macroeconomic indicators and growing uncertainty over central bank policies.
Unless demand improves meaningfully in the coming weeks, or fresh geopolitical shocks disrupt supply chains, crude prices may continue to face downward pressure heading into the fourth quarter.
