Energy Market Updates

Recall last summer when the news cycles were reporting the US had “less than 30 days supply of diesel”! Well, expect to hear that again soon as finished diesel inventories now sit at roughly 26 days of supply, where the unofficial warning level is about 30 days. Reality check… that is if everything stopped today, we would have 26 days…. truth is refineries are running at 90% capacity with the vast majority of finished and unfinished products being exported.

Futures are up and walking, rather running, the last week after being paralyzed by conflicts abroad. 

A few weeks ago we hoped to see ULSD trading $.50 lower, as the cash market was tumbling at warp speed.  And would you look at that, here we are! Much of those losses have come from the last 5 sessions alone. (see chart below). 

Many refer to Diesel as being the backbone of the American Economy.  Trucks, trains, equipment, and ships all rely upon diesel for power.  So when a blowout happens, it can affect mostly all aspects of our daily lives - from the food we buy, to the clothes we wear, and even the way we operate our businesses, even if those blowouts are short lived. 

Since last Thursday we have seen the spread between future prices and cash prices grow to $.80 on Monday only to subsequently fall to $.55 yesterday.  (see chart below).  Tuesday and Wednesday saw diesel values weaken as deals appeared to be getting done for physical product delivered into New York Harbor. 

If there is one thing that I am sure of in all my years in this Industry it is that Customers do not like surprises. 

The last two weeks (or two years for that matter!) have certainly offered up many surprises.  News over the last three days has highlighted “Crude prices falling”, however, the disconnect from Crude pricing to the finished diesel product pricing has never been more sharply contrasted. Front month Diesel futures have once again skyrocketed $.80 to touch the $4.00 level in the last two weeks for the fifth time.  The rapid rise and rapid drop cycle doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. 

The other day I mentioned how the futures markets rose, yet the cash markets fell.  Yesterday was the reverse for some.  While ULSD futures closed down $.1557 to $4.0413, ARGUS cash trading edged up .0193.  We are obviously in the most volatile period I have seen in all my years.  

What you are seeing on your nightly pricing is real, unfortunately.  ULSD futures have risen over .80 in just 5 sessions.  Since late November 2021, when the concern of the latest Covid Variant were announced, the pit has risen over $1.65.