Ethanol, Fuels and Co-Product Pricing
Market Outlook: U.S. ethanol prices ended last week 2.4 percent lower and have extended those losses in early week trading, down 1.9 percent through Tuesday’s close. Midwest wholesale rack ethanol prices were higher to end last week but are down 1.8 percent through Tuesday’s market close to their last quote of 45.02 cents/liter (170.42 cents/gallon).
FOB Houston ethanol prices finished last week 3.5 percent higher, but prices are down 3.8 percent through Tuesday’s trading from Friday’s close. FOB Houston ethanol prices are quoted at 42.02 cents/liter (159.06 cents/gallon). FOB Santos, Brazil ethanol prices were steady last week; they are up early this week, rising 1.3 percent to 56.76 cents/liter (214.85 cents/gallon) through Tuesday’s trading.
The FOB Gulf-Santos, Brazil ethanol spread widened from last week’s close through Tuesday’s trading and is currently at -14.74 cents/liter (-55.79 cents/gallon).
MTBE prices rose 2.8 percent last week but are lower in early week trading, down 1.2 percent from Friday’s close through Tuesday’s trading. MTBE’s premium to FOB Houston ethanol has increased from last week and stands at 19.70 cents/liter (74.58 cents/gallon).
BTX component prices were mixed last week and have continued that trend through Tuesday’s market close: Benzene is up 0.4 percent while Toluene is down 0.8, and Xylene is down 1.0 percent. The estimated weighted average aromatic price is currently 63.64 cents/liter (240.92 cents/gallon), up from last Friday’s close. The BTX-Houston ethanol spread widened last week, and the weighted average BTX price is 21.62 cents/liter (81.85 cents/gallon) higher than the FOB Houston ethanol price.
Gasoline and petroleum products were mostly lower last week and have continued that trend in early week trading. RBOB futures are down 1.8 percent to start the week while 84 octane RBOB (Houston) and 87 octane CBOB (U.S. Gulf) gasoline prices are down 7.6 and 6.1 percent, respectively. WTI futures are up 1.7 percent to $56.10/barrel while Brent futures are up 1.2 percent to $61.19/barrel, from Friday close through Tuesday’s close.
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