The bullish sentiment following OPEC’s deal is almost all gone. Hedge funds haven’t been so skeptical on rising West Texas Intermediate crude prices since Nov. 29, the day before the cartel agreed to cut output, according to U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission data. Their net-long position, or the difference between bets on a price increase and wagers on a decline, has dropped 37 percent from a record touched last month as American crude production climbed, sending inventories to an all-time high. “Things trend, and sentiment from the hedge funds has turned bearish,” Mike Wittner, head of commodities research at Societe Generale SA in New York, said by telephone. “People rushed into the market and their patience ran out, so they ran for the exits. They need a strong signal, and that will be U.S. stockpile draws, probably a few in a row, before they return.” The net-long position on […]