WTI Stalls Near $90 as Traders Flatten Ahead of Weekend Risk

The retreat left WTI roughly in the middle of the range that has held since the conflict escalated. The $90 area had been tested earlier in the week but failed to attract follow-through buying. The price action suggests the market is waiting for the next trigger, traders said.

Brent's rejection at $100 was not unusual after a straight rally. The round number acted as a psychological barrier. Follow-through buying was absent, and the level may need multiple tests to break, one analyst said.

Monday's Asian open could see volatility if weekend headlines emerge. A quiet news flow would likely keep prices in the current range. Any military escalation could trigger a gap higher. The next scheduled data point is Wednesday's US crude inventories report.