We revisit the five conditions outlined in June that are necessary for crude oil prices to start reflecting the expected year-end weakness, and suggest that September could be a turning point for the oil market. Global oil inventories built, but the rise in OECD stocks has been modest by comparison. In response, both Brent and WTI curves have flattened out and turned into a ‘smile.’ Refining margins and runs surged in the third quarter, supporting a rebuilding of global product inventories, though stocks in certain regions and products remain below their five-year averages. As a result, refining margins have eased from their previous stratospheric highs, yet continue to hold up well.
Speaker:
Natasha Kaneva, Head of Global Commodities Research
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