Sparta Market Outlook

3rd October: A new era for freight, Libya, shifts in gasoline supply and demand

For more information about Sparta, visit us at www.spartacommodities.com
This week, Felipe and Neil welcome Michael Ryan, Sparta’s Commodity Owner for Freight, to discuss the launch of Sparta’s brand new freight tool. Michael shares insights into the tool's unique approach to analysing demand and forecasting prices for shipping routes, focusing on Atlantic Basin routes and the shifting dynamics between the US Gulf Coast and Northwest Europe.
The team also talk crude, where Neil explores the impact of Libya's return to the market and the broader implications of refining margins in a bearish crude environment. The team also delve into gasoline spreads and refining margins, touching on the potential shifts in supply and demand across regions, especially in Europe and the Arabian Gulf.

26th September: Navigating Q4 oil market trends

For more information about Sparta, visit us at www.spartacommodities.com
With Felipe away this week, hosting duties are placed in the capable hands of Rachel Williams, Chief Commodities Officer at Sparta. In this episode, Rachel and Sparta's expert team, including Neil Crosby (AVP Oil Analytics), James Noel-Beswick (Commodity Owner - Distillate), and Phil Jones-Lux (Senior Analyst), analyse recent oil data, market dynamics, and discuss product outlooks for Q4. From exploring gasoline and distillate cracks to diving into run cuts, Chinese export quotas, and US refinery runs, the team provides traders with actionable intelligence to stay ahead in the market. 

18th September: APPEC post-mortem, crude challenges, gasoline competition, and naphtha's future

For more information about Sparta, visit us at www.spartacommodities.com
In this episode, the team recaps the major discussions from APPEC, and analyses current trends in crude oil, gasoline, and naphtha markets, highlighting bearish market sentiment due to refinery run cuts, rising inventories, and weak demand. They explore the potential for further drops in crude prices, driven by Cushing stocks, while also noting tight competition in the gasoline market between Europe and the U.S. Naphtha, though currently strong, is expected to see a correction soon as petrochemical demand weakens.

12th September 2024: Crude realities: Navigating bearish trends, refinery shifts, and market volatility

For more information about Sparta, visit www.spartacommodities.com 
Oil prices have dropped below $70—what’s behind this bearish market? This week’s Sparta Market Outlook unpacks the volatility, from nervous traders reacting to minor news to the growing impact of new refineries threatening to flood the market with supply. Discover how electric vehicles in China are reshaping gasoline demand, why diesel continues to struggle, and what OPEC’s delayed actions really mean for the future. Plus, get insights into potential refinery closures in Europe, hidden opportunities in petrochemical markets, and a preview of next week’s deep dive into freight market strategies.
Stay ahead of the curve—don’t miss it!

4th September 2024: Geopolitical tensions and market dynamics: Impact on oil prices, OPEC moves, and global risks

For more information about Sparta, visit www.spartacommodities.com
In the second episode of Sparta Market Outlook, Sparta CEO Felipe Elink Schuurman is joined by Samantha Hartke (Head of Clean Products) and Neil Crosby (AVP for Oil Analytics) for an in-depth, cross-barrel analysis of current trends and future expectations for the oil market, with a focus on understanding both the supply and demand dynamics at play.
 
In this episode:
Geopolitical overview and impact: Discussion on significant geopolitical events, including the Israeli conflict, developments in Libya, and OPEC's recent announcements
Libya's situation: Detailed examination of Libya's internal challenges, such as the potential impact on oil exports and changes in central bank leadership, and their implications for the oil market
Economic data from China: Insights into the negative economic data from China and its potential effects on global crude demand
Refinery margins: Discussion on the deteriorating refinery margins and their possible impact on crude demand and product supply during the turnaround season

15 August 2024: Decline in global diesel cracks, bearish signals in the crude market

For more information about Sparta, visit www.spartacommodities.com
In the first episode of Sparta Market Outlook, Sparta CEO Felipe Elink Schuurman is joined by Samantha Hartke (Head of Clean Products), Neil Crosby (AVP for Oil Analytics), and James Noel Beswick (Commodity Owner for Middle Distillates) for an in-depth cross-barrel analysis of current trends and future expectations for the oil market, with a focus on understanding both the supply and demand dynamics at play.
Key topics discussed include:
The decline in global diesel cracks since March due to new refinery additions and a lull in the freight market
The divergence between gasoline and naphtha markets
Bearish signals in the crude physical market and how geopolitical factors and macroeconomic sentiment could cause sudden shifts in the market