SINGAPORE, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Asia's very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) markets continued to move down south, with cash differentials extending losses amid lower window offers despite a lack of buying interest and no deals for the fourth session this week.
The March-April spreads on paper narrowed for a fourth straight session this week to $1 per ton as a reflection of prompt market weakness.
Several trade sources remained cautious on the outlook for VLSFO markets, pointing to worries of limited demand and sufficient supplies in March still expected for now.
Onshore fuel oil stockpiles in Singapore averaged at around 18.9 million barrels per week in February so far, down from January's average of 20.41 million barrels.
Meanwhile for high sulphur fuel oil, front-month paper prices were still being riled up by positive trading sentiment as evidenced from the steeper backwardation between March and April.
As a result, the hi-5 marker FO05-380SGMc1 continued to narrow and hover at multi-year lows of around $46 per ton.
Cash premiums for 380-cst HSFO FO380-SIN-DIF gained to a five-month high of slightly above $16 per ton, with upbeat window buying activity and a lack of offers supporting the market.
The March 380-cst HSFO crack FO380BRTCKMc1 was at a premium of 30 cents per barrel, while the VLSFO cracks slipped slightly to around $9 per barrel.
INVENTORY DATA
- U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell unexpectedly last week as refining activity ticked higher, while gasoline and distillate inventories posted surprise builds, the Energy Information Administration $(EIA)$ said on Wednesday. EIA/S
- Singapore onshore fuel oil stockpiles fell for a second week to around a three-month low, data showed on Thursday. O/SING1
OTHER NEWS
- U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was reversing a license given to Chevron CVX.N to operate in Venezuela by his predecessor more than two years ago, accusing President Nicolas Maduro of not making progress on electoral reforms and migrant returns.
- BP BP.L slashed planned investment in renewable energy and said on Wednesday it would increase annual oil and gas spending to $10 billion, in a major strategy shift aimed at boosting earnings and investor confidence.
- Oil loadings from Russia's western ports in March are set to fall versus February after domestic refineries relaunched after maintenance but other plants hit by drones could spoil these expectations.
WINDOW TRADES O/AS
- 180-cst HSFO: No deal
- 380-cst HSFO: No deal
- 0.5% VLSFO: No deal
ASSESSMENTS
FUEL OIL | ||||
CASH ($/T) | ASIA CLOSE | CHANGE | PREV CLOSE | RIC |
Cargo - 0.5% VLSFO | 513.05 | -8.83 | 521.88 | MFO05-SIN |
Diff - 0.5% VLSFO | 0.25 | -1.45 | 1.70 | MFO05-SIN-DIF |
Cargo - 180cst | 481.35 | 8.40 | 472.95 | FO180-SIN |
Diff - 180cst | 11.70 | 1.50 | 10.20 | FO180-SIN-DIF |
Cargo - 380cst | 480.33 | 9.78 | 470.55 | FO380-SIN |
Diff - 380cst | 16.35 | 3.10 | 13.25 | FO380-SIN-DIF |
Bunker (Ex-wharf) Premium - 380cst | 12.00 | 3.00 | 9.00 | |
Bunker (Ex-wharf) Premium - 0.5% VLSFO | 3.50 | -1.50 | 5.00 |
For a list of derivatives prices, please refer to ENSWAP/INFO or the RICs below: | |
180cst M1 | FO180SGSWMc1 |
180cst M1/M2 | FO180SGSDMc1 |
380cst M1 | FO380SGSWMc1 |
380cst M1/M2 | FO380SGSDMc1 |
0.5% VLSFO M1 | LFO05FSGMc1 |
0.5% VLSFO M1/M2 | LFO05FSGSMc1 |
Cracks 180cst-Brent M1 | FO180BRTCKMc1 |
Cracks 180cst-Dubai M1 | FO180SGCKMc1 |
Cracks 380cst-Brent M1 | FO380BRTCKMc1 |
Cracks 380cst-Dubai M1 | FO380DUBCKMc1 |
Cracks 0.5% VLSFO-Brent M1 | LFO05SGBRTCMc1 |
Cracks 0.5% VLSFO-Dubai M1 | LFO05SGDUBCMc1 |
Visco 180cst/380cst M1 | FOVISSGDFMc1 |
Hi-5 0.5% VLSFO/380cst M1 | FO05-380SGMc1 |
GoFo 10PPM/0.5% VLSFO M1 | GO10FO05FSGMc1 |
East-West M1 | FOSGEWMc1 |
Barges M1 | HFOFARAAMc1 |
Barges M1/M2 | HFOFARAASMc1 |
Crack Barges-Brent M1 | HFOFARAACMc1 |
(Reporting by Trixie Yap; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
((trixie.yap@thomsonreuters.com;))
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