CME Group’s flash data for crude oil futures market noted traders increased their open interest positions for the third straight session on Monday, now by around 22.5K contracts. Volume followed suit and went up by nearly 91K contracts, setting aside two daily drops in a row.

WTI: Next on the downside comes $80.00

Monday’s marked retracement in prices of WTI was on the back of increasing open interest and volume, indicating that further weakness remains in the pipeline for the commodity in the very near term. That said, immediately to the downside emerges the key $80.00 mark per barrel ahead of the 200-day SMA at $78.15.