This week’s episode breaks down a market being pulled in two directions: geopolitical risk is driving flat price higher, while physical balances and inventories still point to a long market. The team covers escalating Iran risk, renewed Venezuela uncertainty, and how shifting global politics (including India’s positioning and a weaker dollar) are shaping sentiment. From there, they dive into key product moves across gasoline, naphtha, crude, and middle distillates, highlighting where physical markets are diverging from paper, how arbitrage windows are opening and closing, and what traders should watch as weather, outages, and refinery turnarounds reshape the near-term picture.
Chapters:
(00:35) Geopolitical macro corner: Iran, Venezuela, and the risk premium
The team unpacks the latest flashpoints driving flat price, and why traders are once again at the mercy of headlines.
(04:53) Dollar weakness and the “floor” under crude
A softer dollar supports prices, but the debate is whether it’s driven by growth optimism or loss of confidence.
(07:50) Gasoline: USGC tightness, Europe vs paper, and East-West pressure
Gasoline spreads and cracks diverge across regions, with weather, blending economics, and Asian exports reshaping the map.
(14:39) Trade box: gasoline and naphtha positioning into Q2
Jorge shares two tactical ideas, plus the key risks that could challenge the setup.
(19:07) Crude: outages ease, physical weakens, and Brent looks stretched
CPC returns, differentials soften, and the team discusses why the physical market isn’t fully confirming the flat price rally.
(26:08) Middle distillates: weather-driven spike and the short HOGO debate
Heating demand and refinery constraints push cracks higher, but the trade hinges on timing, ARBs, and the next cold snap.
(31:18) Fuel oil quick fire: firmer tone but not a full bull case yet
Some clearing flows support the market, but cracks and arb signals still suggest caution.
