Optimism Spilling Over Into Energy Futures

Market TalkMonday, Mar 4 2019
Gasoline Futures Leading Energy Complex Higher

Stock markets around the world are rallying on news that the US & China are close to a trade deal, and that optimism seems to be spilling over into energy futures once again.

While the correlation between US stock indices and NYMEX futures has fallen to its lowest levels in 3 months, most calculations are still north of positive 80% on a daily basis, which is a strong enough relationship to argue that the two are still likely to move in tandem more often than not. In addition to the indirect relationship between asset classes, China was also reported to buy its first US crude oil cargo since the trade spat began last year helping boost the outlook for petroleum.

Baker Hughes reported a drop of 10 oil rigs last week, with Texas accounting for half of the drop as the lone-star state racked up an 8th straight week of declines. The WSJ noted that the Permian basin is dealing with a spacing problem that may lower the number of wells completed, and could ultimately reduce forecasted production. So far, the 2-month decline in rig count hasn’t trickled down to field-level data as the latest Permian basin survey from the Dallas FED shows production, DUC wells and wages in the area all continuing to climb.

Money managers upped their bets on higher Brent crude oil prices for an 8th straight week, although the total net-long position held by large speculators is still below the 5-year average, suggesting the big money may still be on the sidelines after last year’s heavy sell-off took several funds out of the game.

The CFTC will finally be caught up with its commitments of traders reports after the government shutdown. Through mid-February data, speculators seem less enthusiastic about WTI with net length dropping for a 3rd week, and the total bet on higher prices holding near the bottom of its 5 year range, meaning those same speculators that were burned by last year’s price drop, also appear to have missed out on the recovery rally.

A couple of interesting reads:

John Hess’s interview at the Dallas Fed, including his take on the Princeton Wedges approach to tackling climate change.

The shortage of truck drivers in the US and its likely impact on consumer goods, including petroleum products.

CLICK HERE for a PDF of today's charts

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Pivotal Week For Price Action
Market TalkThursday, Mar 28 2024

Energy Markets Are Ticking Modestly Higher Heading Into The Easter Weekend With Crude Oil Prices Leading The Way Up About $1.25/Barrel Early Thursday Morning

Energy markets are ticking modestly higher heading into the Easter Weekend with crude oil prices leading the way up about $1.25/barrel early Thursday morning, while gasoline prices are up around 2.5 cents and ULSD futures are about a penny.

Today is the last trading day for April HO and RBOB futures, an unusually early expiration due to the month ending on a holiday weekend. None of the pricing agencies will be active tomorrow since the NYMEX and ICE contracts are completely shut, so most rack prices published tonight will carry through Monday.

Gasoline inventories broke from tradition and snapped a 7 week decline as Gulf Coast supplies increased, more than offsetting the declines in PADDs 1, 2 and 5. With gulf coast refiners returning from maintenance and cranking out summer grade gasoline, the race is now officially on to move their excess through the rest of the country before the terminal and retail deadlines in the next two months. While PADD 3 run rates recover, PADD 2 is expected to see rates decline in the coming weeks with 2 Chicago-area refineries scheduled for planned maintenance, just a couple of weeks after BP returned from 7 weeks of unplanned repairs.

Although terminal supplies appear to be ample around the Baltimore area, we have seen linespace values for shipping gasoline on Colonial tick higher in the wake of the tragic bridge collapse as some traders seem to be making a small bet that the lack of supplemental barge resupply may keep inventories tight until the barge traffic can move once again. The only notable threat to refined product supplies is from ethanol barge traffic which will need to be replaced by truck and rail options, but so far that doesn’t seem to be impacting availability at the rack. Colonial did announce that they would delay the closure of its underutilized Baltimore north line segment that was scheduled for April 1 to May 1 out of an “abundance of caution”.

Ethanol inventories reached a 1-year high last week as output continues to hold above the seasonal range as ethanol distillers seem to be betting that expanded use of E15 blends will be enough to offset sluggish gasoline demand. A Bloomberg article this morning also highlights why soybeans are beginning to displace corn in the subsidized food to fuel race.

Flint Hills reported a Tuesday fire at its Corpus Christi West facility Wednesday, although it’s unclear if that event will have a material impact on output after an FCC unit was “stabilized” during the fire. While that facility isn’t connected to Colonial, and thus doesn’t tend to have an impact on USGC spot pricing, it is a key supplier to the San Antonio, Austin and DFW markets, so any downtime may be felt at those racks.

Meanwhile, P66 reported ongoing flaring at its Borger TX refinery due to an unknown cause. That facility narrowly avoided the worst wildfires in state history a few weeks ago but is one of the frequent fliers on the TCEQ program with upsets fairly common in recent years.

Click here to download a PDF of today's TACenergy Market Talk, including all charts from the Weekly DOE Report.

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Market TalkWednesday, Mar 27 2024

Most Energy Contracts Are Ticking Lower For A 2nd Day After A Trickle Of Selling Picked Up Steam Tuesday

Most energy contracts are ticking lower for a 2nd day after a trickle of selling picked up steam Tuesday. ULSD futures are down a dime from Monday’s highs and RBOB futures are down 7 cents.

Diesel prices continue to look like the weak link in the energy chain, with futures coming within 1 point of their March lows overnight, setting up a test of the December lows around $2.48 if that resistance breaks down. Despite yesterday’s slide, RBOB futures still look bullish on the weekly charts, with a run towards the $3 mark still looking like a strong possibility in the next month or so.

The API reported crude stocks increased by more than 9 million barrels last week, while distillates were up 531,000 and gasoline stocks continued their seasonal decline falling by 4.4 million barrels. The DOE’s weekly report is due out at its normal time this morning.

RIN values have recovered to their highest levels in 2 months around $.59/RIN for D4 and D6 RINs, even though the recovery rally in corn and soybean prices that had helped lift prices off of the 4 year lows set in February has stalled out. Expectations for more biofuel production to be shut in due to weak economics with lower subsidy values seems to be encouraging the tick higher in recent weeks, although prices are still about $1/RIN lower than this time last year.

Reminder that Friday is one of only 3 annual holidays in which the Nymex is completely shut, so no prices will be published, but it’s not a federal holiday in the US so banks will be open.

Click here to download a PDF of today's TACenergy Market Talk.