1. Just an auction.
2. Real world prices are based loosely on futures prices, So the end of the contract month will have little to do with real world prices except under certain circumstamces? Cause they will switch over and be following a later month?
3. Most bussinesses have certain quotas to fill. And they do that no matter what the price is. And of course they can change the quota as they see fit.
4. Many things effect prices of everything. And yes. Traders and hedgers are two of many of them.

As a trader I just want to make some money and leave the other stuff to others!
Never bullish or bearish.
Make it easy and go with the cycle. Just maybe once a week?