ICIS Supply and Demand Database

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–US manufacturers were "uniformly optimistic" in March about the prospects for the next 12 months on expected higher sales, the country’s Federal Reserve (Fed) Beige Book said on Wednesday. The Beige Book is a summary of US economic activity during the past six weeks among the 12 districts, one of which is the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. That bank includes all of Texas and northern Louisiana, the home of many petrochemical plants and refineries. The Beige Book published on Wednesday contains survey responses collected in the six week to 8 April. US manufacturing activity was in the doldrums in 2023 and beginning of 2024, but the manufacturing PMI index for March showed activity expanding for the first time in 17 months. Earlier this week, official data from the Fed showed manufacturing output expanding 0.5% in March. Increased recent demand may have been one of the reasons for manufacturers to feel reasonably optimistic for the months ahead. “Contacts were uniformly optimistic for the remainder of 2024, projecting steady to moderately higher sales moving forward; in one case, however, that still meant that total sales in 2024 would fall short of their 2023 levels,” said the Fed. “The positive forecasts were based largely on firms’ own recent demand trends, although one contact cited the prospects of productivity gains from AI and expected cuts in the federal funds rate as additional sources of optimism.” For the six weeks covered in the report, overall US manufacturing revenues were practically unchanged, with half of respondents reporting moderate gains in sales over the cycle and the other half experiencing moderate losses. In the Dallas district – the 11th District in the Fed’s terminology – the economy expanded modestly, propped by services and housing. However, the district’s manufacturing output “declined slightly”, with job creation slowing. “Employment growth slowed as wages, input costs, and selling prices grew at a moderate pace. Overall, Texas firms noted an uptick in uncertainty,” said the Fed. OVERALL, STEADY The overall US economic continued expanding in the six weeks to 8 April, with 10 out of 12 districts experiencing “either slight or modest” economic growth, up from eight in the previous report. Some downside economic risks remain, however, with labor shortages still being mentioned, although with the expectation that over the course of the next 12 months a more balance labor market could emerge. “On balance, contacts expected that labor demand and supply would remain relatively stable, with modest further job gains and continued moderation of wage growth back to pre-pandemic levels,” said the Fed. Price increases were practically unchanged from the last report, with logistics disruptions in the Red Sea and the collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge not leading yet to a significant increase in costs, despite some shipping delays. “Another frequent comment was that firms’ ability to pass cost increases on to consumers had weakened considerably in recent months, resulting in smaller profit margins. Inflation also caused strain at nonprofit entities, resulting in service reductions in some cases,” concluded the Fed. “On balance, contacts expected that inflation would hold steady at a slow pace moving forward. At the same time, contacts in a few districts – mostly manufacturers – perceived upside risks to near-term inflation in both input prices and output prices.” Thumbnail image shows an ExxonMobil plant in Beaumont, Texas. Photo courtesy of ExxonMobil

17-Apr-2024

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Argentina’s latest cut to interest rates had more to do with shoring up the central bank’s balance sheet, possible thanks to currency controls implemented by the prior Administration, than the actual control of price rises, according to the director at Buenos Aires-based Fundacion Capital. Carlos Perez said the so-called Cepo currency controls limiting the ability to buy or sell any foreign currency may be causing losses for savers getting returns on their deposits below the rate of inflation, but they are helping the central bank to kick off a much needed shoring up of its balance sheet. Effectively, savers who have their pesos in the Argentinian banking system are paying with their losses certain stabilization for the central bank's balance sheet. Stability is something the Banco Central de la Republica Argentina (BCRA) could do much with. First introduced by Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s cabinet in 2011, the restrictions became informally known as Cepo cambiario (Spanish for 'exchange clamp'). They were lifted by the center-right cabinet of Mauricio Macri in 2015 but implemented again by his successor Alberto Fernandez in 2020. Argentina’s new President Javier Milei blasted the Cepo controls during the electoral campaign and has promised to lift them in due course but, for now, some old regime tools are coming in handy to shore up the new regime. Last week, the BCRA lowered the main interest rate benchmark from 80% to 70%. One day after that, the country’s statistics body Indec said the annual rate of inflation had jumped to nearly 290% in March, although it noted a fourth consecutive slowdown in monthly price increases. See bottom graphs for monthly and annual inflation rates. Lowering rates amid rocketing inflation: just the opposite of what is meant to be done, as the global inflation crisis has just showed us. MAKING SENSE OF IRRATIONALSo, while trying to get Argentina back into the realm of "normal economic policy", according to Perez, some irrational measures are still being used. But, at least, the central bank is quickly consolidating its position and starting to resemble a normal central bank, the economist went on, and not just the printer of money, or lender of last resort, it had become under the prior Administration, who used it to finance its recurrent spending, fueling inflation along the way. Milei’s two more controversial proposals – dismantle the central bank and dollarize the economy – are now forgotten: Argentina was far from having the necessary dollars to dollarize, and the central bank, like in any economy, has in these four months proved a useful tool to start stabilizing runaway inflation. Perez said the current interest rates – nominally, monthly at around 5% – are well detached from the monthly rate of inflation, now at around 11%. Effectively, savers’ deposits are losing 6% of their value. But this sacrifice, added the economist, had to be seen considering the wider stabilization of the system. “In Argentina right now we have economic variables which are running at speed, like inflation; others which are walking, such as the interest rates; and others which are crawling, such as the peso's official exchange rate,” said Perez. “In this situation, Cepo controls take center stage. By law, most deposit holders have almost no way to dollarize their savings, for instance. Their money is imprisoned, so to speak. Thus, the central bank is effectively cleaning up its balance sheet by liquidizing little by little the liabilities it holds.” Financial institutions and banks will place their deposit holders’ savings within the central bank, like in any other economy; the Argentinian specific feature lies in that the bank itself is charging savers by keeping their returns well below inflation. Milei has hinted at lifting the Cepo controls by mid-2024 – but it remains to be seen whether more sacrifices from suffering savers will be required. It is worth noting that a lot of Argentinian money left Argentina years ago. Some estimates say Argentinians hold around $250 billion in assets abroad. “Therefore, the logic behind a real negative interest rates can only be found in the Cepo system. If the economy was free of those restrictions, we would be probably facing a massive capital flight, now contained by the law,” said Perez. “Will the government lift the Cepo system? It will be facing a dilemma. While Cepo is in place, a progressive clean-up of the central bank’s balance sheet can take place. Without restrictions, returns on deposits will have to match or surpass the inflation rate, if a large-scale capital flight is to be avoided.” INFLATION DOWNSo, asking savers to make sacrifices is one leg of the plan to stabilize the central bank’s balance sheet and, with it, the economy. To stabilize runaway inflation, a second leg has been stopping all issuance of bonds by the central bank to finance recurrent public spending, a vice the prior Administration became too addicted to. Printing money became virtually the sole financing method for the Administration as finding investors abroad willing to buy Argentinian debt became a rarity and the IMF’s bailout would only partly cover the spending needed in what was at the time one of the most subsidized economies. A third leg has come from the fiscal adjustment implemented by the government. Milei’s “chainsaw” which propelled him to fame when he was just a libertarian, media-prone economist, has started making its early rounds: subsidies have been severely curtailed and recurrent spending is on the cards with a plan to implement large-scale redundancies among civil servants. ECONOMIC RULEBOOK, AT LAST The recession is hitting hard the real economy, said Perez, but voters who overwhelmingly backed Milei seem, at least for the moment, be putting up with the pain. This time, Argentinian world-famous, violent-at-times, media-grabbing street protests have so far been absent. Global investors and the IMF alike also like the tune of what is being done. But no-one hides that the recession is hitting consumers hard, and poverty levels have jumped over 50%, according to official figures. With the hit to consumers' purchasing power comes the hit to the petrochemicals-intensive manufacturing sectors, which official figures confirm are registering hefty falls in output. Petrochemicals sources in Argentina have said to ICIS this week they are registering falls in demand between 30% and 50%; for now, stocks are still catering for depressed demand. Perez, ordinary voters struggling to make ends, and global investors alike are for now giving a vote of confidence to a cabinet which is playing by the book set out in the electoral campaign. Milei never shied away from the fact it had to be a "brutal" adjustment if past errors were to be mended. Perez said that, at least, the measures being implemented are all within the realm of ordinary economic policy, a terrain Argentina had left years ago, he added. “The first four months have been quite positive. From one day to the other, Argentina went from an irrational economic policy to a reasonable one,” he said. “The fiscal adjustment has been severe, relative prices are starting to adjust positively, the central bank is shoring up its reserves – albeit they are still in the red; the relationship with the IMF is good; and the cabinet is working hard to shore up its economic policy with political support in Parliament, where Milei’s party is in a minority.” Argentina’s fertilizers- and export-intensive agricultural sector should also register a positive harvest in the second quarter, which will continue propping up much-needed dollars reserves within the central bank. “Right now, the positive financial feelings contrast with how hard the recession is hitting the real economy. At Fundacion Capital we expect GDP to contract by around 6% in Q1, year on year. In Q2, output will also fall, but the hit will be lessened by agriculture,” said Perez. “The first half of 2024 will be very hard for ordinary Argentinians. And let’s not forget, the challenges for the government remain daunting: the fiscal adjustment still lacks sustainability, i.e. political support. And despite the improvements, the central bank’s reserves are still negative: a genuine, sustainable flow of dollars into Argentina is yet to take place.” ARGENTINA MONTHLY INFLATION RATE In % change Source: Indec ARGENTINA ANNUAL INFLATION RATEIn % change Source: Indec Front page picture source: Shutterstock Interview article by Jonathan Lopez

16-Apr-2024

South Korea LNG storage levels healthy Official data from January ICIS estimates for March SINGAPORE (ICIS)–South Korea LNG inventories were estimated at 5.1m tonnes in March 2024, according to ICIS data, a healthy level that has benefited from weak LNG consumption, rising power generation from alternative fuels and renewables and a mild winter. The estimates also align with the KESIS monthly energy statistics released this week that showed January at 4.5m tonnes, 16% higher than the same month last year, and 50% above the five-years-average. For the March estimate by ICIS, 19% of LNG imports were stored in the tank for winter gas supply security purposes. In November 2023, state-run KOGAS and private LNG importers vowed to actively cooperate and ensure no disruption of LNG-to-power generation until the end of winter in March 2024.

16-Apr-2024

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Here are some of the stories from ICIS Latin America for the week ended on 12 April. NEWS Argentina’s inflation up to 288% in March, but central bank cuts rates on ‘pronounced slowdown’Argentina’s annual rate of inflation rose to 287.9% in March, up from 276% in February, the country’s statistical agency Indec said on Friday. Argentina to scrap import duty on urea and UAN fertilizer In Argentina, the government plans to remove import duties on urea and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), which are currently at 5.4% and 3.6% respectively, said Economy Minister Luis Caputo on X, formerly Twitter. Brazil’s inflation falls below 4% in March Brazil’s annual rate of inflation fell to 3.93% in March, down from 4.50% in February, and its lowest reading since June 2023, the country’s statistical agency IBGE said on Wednesday. Brazil’s Unigel ‘vehemently’ denies irregularities in Petrobras contract Unigel has “vehemently refuted” the existence of any irregularity in its tolling contract with Petrobras for two fertilizers plants, the Brazilian chemicals producer said on Wednesday. Mexico’s inflation down to 4.2% in March Mexico’s annual rate of inflation fell in March to 4.2%, down from 4.40% in February, the country’s statistics agency Inegi said on Tuesday. Argentina PVC sector faces headwinds amid infrastructure investment reductions Argentina polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sector faces challenges as the government reduces infrastructure investments in 2024, with an estimated 7.5% decrease in projects. Chile inflation falls to 3.7% in March Chile’s annual inflation rate fell in March to 3.7%, down from 4.5% in February, according to the country’s statistics office INE. Brazil’s automotive output barely up in Q1, sales rise 9% Brazil’s petrochemicals-intensive automotive output rose by 0.4% in the first quarter, year on year, to just below 550,000 units, the country’s trade group Anfavea said on Monday. PRICING LatAm PP domestic prices fall in Chile, Mexico on competitive offers from abroad, lower US spot PGP prices Domestic prices fell in Chile, Mexico due to competitive offers from abroad and lower US spot propylene costs. In other Latin American (LatAm) countries, prices were unchanged. LatAm PE international prices stable to down on lower US export prices International polyethylene (PE) prices were assessed as stable to down across Latin American (LatAm) countries on the back of lower US export prices. Weather conditions start to slightly shift PET demand in Latin America Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) prices remained stable in Brazil, with a slight softening in consumption coinciding with stabilized temperatures. However, demand continues to exceed expectations when compared with the corresponding period last year.

15-Apr-2024

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The Panama Canal Authority (PCA) said current forecasts indicate that steady rainfall will arrive later this month and continue during the rainy season, which would allow the PCA to gradually ease transit restrictions and traffic could return to normal by 2025. “All modifications to restrictions will be contingent on the forecasts,” the PCA said, meaning that if rainfall is less than what was forecast, restrictions could remain in place or be modified. “Moderate precipitation is expected to arrive later this month and grow in intensity, which would allow the canal to progressively increase daily slots back to the 36 daily transits typically offered during the rainy season,” the PCA said. The PCA began limiting the number of transits in August 2023 because of low water levels in Gatun Lake brought on by a severe drought that made 2023 the second driest year on record for the Panama Canal watershed catchment area. PCA opened two additional slots beginning 18 March, and a third on 25 March, bringing the total to 27/day, after solid rainfall in the region recently, but transits still remain well below 36 under normal conditions. The number of ships transiting the Panama Canal daily, using a seven-day moving average, ticked higher to 27 as of 8 April compared with 37 on the same date a year ago according to the most recent update at IMF PortWatch. Wait times for non-booked northbound vessels edged lower to 1.4 days, and fell to 0.2 days for southbound vessels on 15 April, according to the PCA vessel tracker. The average waiting time for vessels arriving without reservations this year has been just under 2.5 days, far lower than the 3.6 days experienced between January and March last year, and the 3.8 days recorded during the same period in 2022, the PCA said. The PCA said the number of vessels in the queue waiting to transit is on par with the amount expected under the current conditions. “The majority of vessels have reservations and routinely arrive early ahead of their allotted date to transit the Canal. It is common for these vessels to refuel or replenish supplies before they begin their scheduled passage,” the PCA said. The PCA said more than 75% of vessels outside the Panama Canal today have reservations and therefore will transit the Panama Canal on a predetermined date with minimal to no waiting time. Overall transits are at 60% of 2022 levels, the PCA said, and transits of product tankers and container ships have almost fully recovered, nearing 90% of normal activity.

15-Apr-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–Oil prices could come under downward pressure this week after Iran said its retaliation against Israel for the death of top military generals in an embassy bombing in Damascus is over. A weaker demand outlook for crude and worries that US interest rates will be higher-for-longer may add to the weaker picture. ICIS highlights five factors likely to drive benchmark crude prices this week.

15-Apr-2024

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News from the week ended 12 April. Oil slumps by more than $2/bbl on Israel-Hamas ceasefire hopes Oil prices fell by more than $2/barrel on Monday amid easing tensions in the Middle East after Israel further withdrew troops from southern Gaza and signalled a willingness to resume ceasefire talks with Palestinian militant group Hamas. EPA’s final rule on US chem plant emissions could weigh on EO production – ACC The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule on Tuesday aimed at reducing hazardous air pollutants from chemical plants, which some think could weigh on production of key chemistries and could lead to higher costs being passed through to consumers. INVISTA to explore alternatives for nylon fibers business INVISTA plans to explore strategic alternatives for its nylon fibers business and has engaged Barclays as exclusive financial advisor during the exploration process, the US-based manufacturer of chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers said in a statement late on Tuesday. US East Coast PET bale prices steadily rise amid snug supply, rising beverage demand Despite historic patterns, East Coast polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle bale prices have risen only slightly and very steadily over the last several weeks. Crude demand expectations fall for 2024 as trends shift back to pre-COVID pattern – IEA The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Friday cut crude oil demand forecasts for the year, with rates expected to fall further next year as consumption returns to the pre-COVID-19 trend, increasing the odds of a peak in oil consumption this decade, the agency said. Argentina’s inflation up to 288% in March, but central bank cuts rates on ‘pronounced slowdown’ Argentina’s annual rate of inflation rose to 287.9% in March, up from 276% in February, the country’s statistical agency Indec said on Friday.

15-Apr-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–Chemical stocks in Europe have firmed in line with the general market in midday trading on Monday, as oil prices subsided and investor unrest eased despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Asia-Pacific equities had tumbled in earlier trading on the back of growing hostilities over the weekend after Iran launched ordinance into Israeli airspace late on 13 April. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) confirmed the attack, with Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stating in a briefing on Sunday that none of the 170 drones launched from Iran had entered Israeli airspace, and fighter jets mobilized to intercept cruise and ballistic missiles had shot almost all of them down. The handful of ballistic missiles that crossed into Israeli territory were intercepted and fell at the Nevatim airbase in the south of the country, but damage to infrastructure was limited and the base is currently operational, he added. Lingering unease from the attack, and the potential for an Israel-Iran conflict to escalate further bled into early Monday trading, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index and Japan’s Nikkei 225 index closing down 0.72% and 0.74% respectively. Taiwan and India felt the chill more keenly, with the Taiwan SE and Bombay Sensex bourses closing down 1.38% and 1.14% respectively. European bourses were less unsettled on Monday, with Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 trading up 1.01% and 1.09% respectively, while the UK FTSE 100 was little changed at 13:10 BST. European chemicals stocks moved higher on Monday, with the STOXX 600 chemicals index trading up 0.34% from Friday’s close, with Solvay, Evonik and Arkema among the biggest gainers. The decline in oil prices also deepened from earlier in the day, with the value of Brent crude June futures dropping 87 cents to $89.58/barrel in noon trading. The fall in crude values represents a decline in the overall risk premium priced in at present in response to Middle East tensions, but they are a long way from a more comprehensive rollback. Oil prices have increased by over $8/barrel since mid-March. Crude and downstream pricing as of 12:00 BST Monday Product Latest Previous Change Brent June 89.58 90.45 -0.87 WTI May 84.74 85.66 -0.92 Naphtha 677.00 695.00 -18.00 Benzene 1203.00 1205.00 -2.00 Styrene 1800.00 1815.00 -15.00 An attack from Iran had been threatened for weeks following a strike on its embassy in Damascus, Syria. The fact that the response was telegraphed in advance, consisted largely of slow-moving drones and resulted in little damage and no fatalities, has reassured markets that there is scope for a de-escalation. “The fact that there was limited damage and no loss of life may also provide some comfort to the market, as it may mean a more measured response from Israel,” said ING analysts in an oil market note issued on Monday. Iran said it considers the conflict concluded and US diplomats are reportedly urging restraint in Israel, but further salvos, which will represent Iran’s first direct attack on Israel, means that tensions could rapidly intensify. “The US and allies are pushing for a diplomatic response, while the risk is that hardliners within the Israeli government push for a more aggressive response,” ING added. Multiple western governments have officially condemned Iran for the attack which took place on the same day that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a ship passing along the Strait of Hormuz, according to data provider Xeneta. Any moves to sanction Iran or measures that could restrict the country’s flow of oil into global markets could tighten supplies in the short term, ING added. Focus article by Tom Brown Thumbnail photo: The bell ceremony at the Euronext exchange in Brussels, Belgium. Source: Shutterstock

15-Apr-2024

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Oil prices eased on Monday as Iran’s attacks on Israel over the weekend were largely priced in by the market, according to analysts, but Asian equities tumbled amid concerns over recent escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Product ($/barrel)  Latest (02:33 GMT) Previous Change Brent June 90.24 90.45 -0.21 WTI May 85.33 85.66 -0.33 Concerns over a wide regional conflict in the Middle East sent Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index falling by 1%, South Korea's KOSPI slipping by 1.69% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index declining by 0.79%, as of 02:45 GMT. "The [oil] market had already priced in some form of attack, while limited damage and no loss of life means the potential for a more measured response from Israel," Dutch banking and financial services provider ING said in a note on Monday. "While Iran considers the altercation 'concluded', markets will have to wait to see how Israel responds." Israel's five-member war cabinet convened on 14 April to deliberate on potential responses, but no decision was reached due to disagreements over the timing and scale of any action, according to news agency Reuters. Iran launched on 13 April missile and drone attack on Israel involving over 300 projectiles. Of the 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles launched by Iran, none entered Israeli territory, while a small number of 110 ballistic missiles reached Israel, Israel military spokesman – rear admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement. Oil benchmarks had climbed on 12 April to their highest levels since October as players were anticipating Iran’s retaliatory strike on Israel, which the Middle East country blames for fatal strikes at its embassy in Damascus, Syria on 1 April. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the incident. Worries over tightening global supply, as well as possible supply disruption amid escalation of regional conflict in the Middle East, have been driving up crude prices since late last year. Iran had stated that its actions were in response to an attack on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus which killed a high-ranking member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards and eight other officers. For the week ended 12 April, however, crude prices shed around 1% after the International Energy Agency (IEA) revised down its global oil demand growth forecast to 1.2 million barrels/day from 1.3 million barrels/day previously. SUPPLY RISKS REMAIN Meanwhile, the US might intensify its sanctions on Iran, potentially leading to a reduction in oil supply ranging from 500,000 to 1 million barrels per day and keep the oil market in a deficit for the rest of the year, according to ING. Iran pumps a little over 3m barrels/day of oil currently and is the fourth largest producer within OPEC. There is also the risk that Israel’s response includes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, which could translate to even more significant supply losses. "Finally, if we were to see further escalation, there is the risk that Iran would attempt to disrupt or block oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 million barrels per day of oil moves," ING said. Amid potential significant supply disruptions, the US could tap into its strategic petroleum reserves to mitigate any shortfall, according to ING. Additionally, OPEC holds over 5 million barrels/day of unused production capacity, which could be activated if needed, it said. Should oil prices surge due to supply losses, it is expected that OPEC would utilize some of this spare capacity to stabilize the market, ING said. OPEC and its allies (OPEC+) are due to meet on 1 June in Vienna, Austria to discuss output policy. The group has maintained their output cuts up to end-June. "While risks are clearly elevated, which should keep oil prices relatively well supported, oil supply remains intact for now," ING added. Focus article by Nurluqman Suratman Thumbnail image: Flares from explosions in the sky over Jerusalem as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts missiles and drones from Iran on 14 April 2024. (Xinhua/Shutterstock)

15-Apr-2024

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News Asia and the Middle East for the week ended 12 April 2024. China Mar petrochemical markets mixed; Apr demand on seasonal uptick By Yvonne Shi 12-Apr-24 14:19 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Fluctuations in China’s domestic petrochemical markets were limited in March, yielding a mixed performance during the month, while a seasonal improvement in demand is expected in the near term. Tight intra-Asia container shipping space dampens recycling trades By Arianne Perez 12-Apr-24 13:34 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Major Asian recyclers are feeling the pinch of continued uptrend in spot container freight costs for trade within Asia since March. Asia naphtha demand slows down; supply stays ample By Li Peng Seng 11-Apr-24 13:00 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s naphtha crack, the spread between Brent crude and the chemical feedstock prices, hit a five-month low recently and it will remain under pressure in the weeks ahead as ample supplies, slower demand and firm crude prices limit any improvement in the spread. Asia ADA sees plant shutdowns amid supply overhang By Josh Quah 11-Apr-24 11:25 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia’s adipic acid (ADA) markets have begun to crack under the cost pressure and weak demand from the main polyurethane (PU) downstream sector. Fitch downgrades China rating outlook to ‘negative’ as debts pile up By Pearl Bantillo 10-Apr-24 15:16 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China’s fiscal challenges amid rising government debt and its prolonged property slump weighing on recovery prospects prompted Fitch to revise down its credit rating outlook for the world’s second-biggest economy to “negative” from “stable”. Korea trade body starts antidumping probe on China SM imports By Luffy Wu 09-Apr-24 14:18 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–The Korea Trade Commission has decided to initiate an anti-dumping investigation on imports of styrene monomer (SM) from China. INSIGHT: Positive China Q1 data overshadowed by property sector gloom By Nurluqman Suratman 09-Apr-24 12:00 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China's economic narrative in early 2024 reflects a 'tale of two cities', with its ailing property sector once again playing the crucial protagonist against recent data which offered flickers of hope for the country's continued recovery this year. Saudi Arabia hikes benchmark May Arab Light OSP for Asian customers By James Dennis 08-Apr-24 18:15 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter, increased its Official Selling Prices (OSP) for its benchmark Arab Light crude for customers in Asia for the second month in succession. Oil slumps by more than $2/bbl on Israel-Hamas ceasefire hopes By Nurluqman Suratman 08-Apr-24 12:23 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Oil prices fell by more than $2/barrel on Monday amid easing tensions in the Middle East after Israel further withdrew troops from southern Gaza and signalled a willingness to resume ceasefire talks with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

15-Apr-2024