NOON SNAPSHOT - Europe Markets Summary

LONDON (ICIS)--Here is Thursday's midday European oil and chemical market summary from ICIS.

CRUDE: October WTI: $73.75/bbl, down $0.16/bbl. October BRENT: $75.70/bbl, down $0.65/bbl
After gaining more than 2% the previous day amid equity gains, a decline in distillate stocks and upbeat manufacturing data from China, crude values lost some ground today ahead of US employment data.

NAPHTHA: $674-682/tonne, up $6 /tonne
The naphtha market was assessed up from the previous evening, in line with a minimal increase in crude figures and a significantly stronger crack spread. September swaps were pegged at $667-670/tonne.

BENZENE: $875-885/tonne, down $5/tonne
European September benzene was valued $5/tonne softer in quiet trading. The range was set at $875-885/tonne, with October at parity.

STYRENE: $1,070-1,085/tonne, up $5/tonne
The European styrene market was quiet on Thursday morning. Traders said that price assessments were notional. September was valued at $1,070-1,085/tonne, up $5/tonne on the offer. A bid for October was heard at $1,070/tonne, but no offer was mentioned.

TOLUENE: $720-760/tonne steady
September toluene was steady at $720-760/tonne. An offer was in the market at $760/tonne, but no bids were heard.