Global Chemical Prices Mostly Rise With Costs WoW, US Margins Shrink

Feedstock Market Trends: Global commodity chemical feedstock costs, on average, rose WoW, but USGC natural gas and ethane increased more than Ex-US natural gas and naphtha, favoring a flatter cost curve.
Chemical Market Trends: Global monomer and base chemical values, on average, also increased WoW, with US propylene and NW Europe ethylene reflecting the only significant price declines across major markets.
Polymer Market Trends: Global polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices rose the most WoW, followed by strength in polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) – Asia and Europe integrated economics rose compared to the US.
Agriculture Market Trends: Global ammonia values declined WoW, lagging recent Ex-US natural gas price weakness and rising demand concerns due to YTD crop price weakness, notably corn relative to soybeans.

Exhibit 1 – Chart of the Day: Global chemical polymer prices, on average, rose WoW, as did their feedstock costs.