1、 Price trend

According to the business club’s big list data, the price of pure benzene this week stopped falling and rose. On October 11, the listed price of pure benzene was 3000-3300 yuan / ton (average price was 3280 yuan / ton); this Sunday (October 18), the listed price of pure benzene was 3180-3400 yuan / ton (average price was 3360 yuan / ton), with an increase of 2.44%.

2、 Analysis and comment

This week, the domestic pure benzene market was mainly driven by styrene, and the market trading atmosphere rose. Sinopec raised the listing price of pure capital twice this week, a total of 100 yuan / ton. The higher price of pure benzene stimulated the downstream purchasing enthusiasm and the market transaction was active.

On the external side, on Friday (October 16), South Korea imported 419.5 US dollars / ton of pure benzene, up 19.17 US dollars / ton, or 4.79% compared with October 9; and East China imported 428.5 US dollars / ton of pure benzene, up 15.5 US dollars / ton, or 3.75% compared with October 9.

In terms of crude oil, Brent fell $0.305/barrel, or 0.73%, compared with October 9, and WTI rose 0.21/barrel, or 0.51%. Compared with December 31, 2019, Brent decreased by 37.62% and WTI decreased by 32.34%.

Downstream: the domestic styrene price rose strongly this week, driving the pure benzene market to rise. On October 16, the price of styrene in Shandong was 6050 yuan / ton, 600 yuan / ton higher than last week, or 11.01%.

Aniline enterprise inventory is low, combined with the main contract and shipping, the spot supply is less, the price is rising continuously. On October 16, the price of aniline in Shandong was 6500-6700 yuan / ton, and that in Nanjing was 6500-6600 yuan / ton

3、 Future forecast

In terms of crude oil, the impact of public health events in Europe and the United States is tightening, and the market is worried about the limited demand for crude oil. Next week, oil prices may be under pressure.

It is expected that the price of styrene will continue to rise next week, and the positive will drive the pure benzene to continue to rise. But pure benzene inventory is still at a high level, short-term consumption is difficult to limit the rise.