Ethanol, Fuels and Co-Product Pricing
Market Outlook: U.S. ethanol prices ended last week 6.4 percent lower but have nearly erased those losses in early week trading, up 6.1 percent through Tuesday’s close. Midwest wholesale rack ethanol prices were lower to end last week but are up 1.7 percent through Tuesday’s market close to their last quote of 71.93 cents/liter (272.27 cents/gallon).
FOB Houston ethanol prices finished last week 6 percent higher but are down 3.5 percent through Tuesday’s trading from Friday’s close. FOB Houston ethanol prices are quoted at 68.57 cents/liter (259.58 cents/gallon). FOB Santos, Brazil anhydrous ethanol prices were higher last week; they are up in early week trading, rising 1.8 percent to 68.83 cents/liter (260.55 cents/gallon) through Tuesday’s trading.
The FOB Gulf-Santos, Brazil ethanol spread has narrowed from last week’s close through Tuesday’s trading and is currently at -0.26 cents/liter (-0.97 cents/gallon).
MTBE prices rose 0.7 percent last week and are firmer in early week trading, up 0.3 percent from Friday’s close through Tuesday’s trading. MTBE’s premium to FOB Houston ethanol has increased from last week’s report and stands at -9.25 cents/liter (-35 cents/gallon).
BTX component prices were mixed last week and are continuing that trend through Tuesday’s market close: Benzene is down 1 percent while Toluene is up 1.5 percent, and Xylene is up 0.6 percent. The estimated weighted average aromatic price is currently 76.15 cents/liter (288.27 cents/gallon), up from last Friday’s close. The BTX-Houston ethanol spread widened last week, and the weighted average BTX price is 7.58 cents/liter (28.69 cents/gallon) higher than the FOB Houston ethanol price.
Gasoline and petroleum products were mostly higher last week but are mixed in early week trading. RBOB futures are down 0.1 percent to start the week while 84 octane RBOB (Houston) and 87 octane CBOB (U.S. Gulf) gasoline prices are up 1.9 and up 1.8 percent, respectively. WTI futures are 2.1 percent lower at $63.99/barrel while Brent futures are down 2.2 percent to $67.2/barrel, from Friday through Tuesday’s close.
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