OIL: China Teapots Purchase Murban Crude for June Delivery

May-09 07:44

Two independent Chinese refiners, Fuhai Group Co. and Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Group, each purchased around 1mbbl of Murban crude for June delivery, according to Bloomberg.

  • The unusual purchase from the broader international crude market suggests a supply overhang in the Middle Eastern market or due to costlier fuel oil, Bloomberg sources said.
  • The Murban cargoes were purchased at a premium of around $5/bbl to August ICE Brent futures, the sources said.
  • The cargoes bought for June are considered prompt with the current trading cycle for crude loaded in July.
  • China’s independent refiners typically rely on discounted crude from Iran and Russia and fuel oil as feedstock.
  • “Straight-run fuel oil is simply not an economic feedstock currently,” said June Goh, at Sparta Commodities. “With healthy simple margins, independent refineries in China are taking this opportunity to buy incremental crude to increase run rates.”

Historical bullets

EQUITIES: Estoxx put spread

Apr-09 07:40
  • SX5E (20th June) 3500/2500ps 1x2, bought for 14.5 in 5k.

The last time the index traded at these ~3000.00 levels was back in October 2020.

US-CHINA: China Releases White Paper As 104% Trump Tariffs Come Into Force

Apr-09 07:36

(MNI) London - State-run Xinhua reports excerpts from a white paper from the State Council Information Office regarding US trade and economic relations. The report claims that "in recent years, the rise of US unilateralism and protectionism has seriously interfered with the normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States."

  • In response to US tariffs, "China has no choice but to take strong countermeasures to resolutely defend its national interests. At the same time, China has always adhered to the basic position of resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation,"
  • Xinhua: "These restrictive measures, which use tariffs as threats and coercion, are a mistake on top of a mistake, and once again expose the typical unilateralism and bullying nature of the United States. They not only violate the laws of the market economy, but also run counter to multilateralism,"
  • Xinhua: "It is hoped that the United States and China will meet each other halfway, follow the direction indicated by the call between the two heads of state, and in the spirit of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation"
  • Earlier, Foreign Ministry spox Lin Jian said on the emerging trade war that "China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its lawful rights and interests. If the United States ignores the interests of the two countries and the international community and insists on fighting tariff wars and trade wars, China will surely fight till the end,

 

BUNDS: German 5s/30s finds resistance at the 2021 high

Apr-09 07:33
  • Some Steepening unwind after Bund and the longer end Buxl recovered from their earlier lows.
  • Nonetheless, the German 2s/10s managed to print its Steepest level since December 2018 at 94.033, while the German 5s/30s has found some resistance just short of 97.395, the 2021 high, printed a 96.448 high.