Cement News tagged under: energy

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Israel-Gaza war drives coal higher with petcoke reversing its drop

03 November 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark Coal was driven higher by the energy complex responding to the Israel-Gaza war and is now at the top of the US$100-140 range. Petcoke reversed its fall as its discount increased, creating a switch from coal. After reaching the major support at US$80, petcoke bounced back and will now follow coal, possibly at the top of the range. Petcoke with 6.5 per cent S is expected to continue in the US$80-95 range with resistance at US$95, US$105, US$...

MPA welcomes electricity network compensation in UK

25 October 2023, Published under Cement News

UK producers of cement and lime have welcomed the government's plans to boost UK competitiveness through compensating for high network charges as part of the ‘British Industry Supercharger’. The Mineral Products Association (MPA), which represents UK cement and lime manufacturers, says the network charges compensation announced by the Department for Business and Trade will ease electricity costs and narrow the disparity between the UK and EU industrial electricity prices. Combined with ot...

Drop in oil, reversed by new Middle East situation adding uncertainty, while petcoke discounts attract buyers again

20 October 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark A geopolitics crisis emerged with the Hamas attack on Israel at the beginning of October. The European Central Bank raised interest rates 0.25 per cent but is behind the US Federal Reserve (Fed). This has strengthened the US dollar as the Fed still talks of keeping rates high for longer. The two per cent inflation target is still far away. In October the fear surrounding China’s property market re-emerged and, along with higher interest rate...

Coal continues recovery while petcoke sees sharp fall

11 October 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll Aps, Denmark Coal has continued its recovery with a higher energy complex, consolidating in the US$110-140 range and balancing Russian supply. Petcoke saw a sharp fall on increased supply, leading to a switch to coal as the discount fell to low levels. Both grades are now below US$100 and pushed down by freight. The increased FOB discount is expected to lure in new buyers. Petcoke with 6.5 per cent S is expected to continue in the US$80-95 range wi...

Petcoke discount falls sharply, energy complex rises driven by oil

20 September 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The fight against inflation is still the focus point for the US Federal Reserve Bank and the European Central Bank, which both raised interest rates by 0.25 per cent in July. This impacted equity markets as the IMF came out with a slower global GDP forecast for 2024, down 0.5 per cent to three per cent. However, new Chinese promises of boosting the economy have taken some of the fear out of the energy markets, which have seen a recovery in...

Petcoke discount falls sharply, energy complex rises driven by oil

22 August 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The fight against inflation is still the focus point for the US Federal Reserve Bank and the European Central Bank, which both raised interest rates by 0.25 per cent in July. This impacted equity markets as the IMF came out with a slower global GDP forecast for 2024, down 0.5 per cent to three per cent. However, new Chinese promises of boosting the economy have taken some of the fear out of the energy markets, which have seen a recovery ...

Petcoke continues rally with discounts into neutral zone

03 August 2023, Published under Cement News

by Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark Coal rallied from US$100, driven by the energy complex as oil broke through the US$80 barrier following new cuts by OPEC+ in July 2023. Meanwhile, petcoke continues its rally after hitting the major support of US$65, and reached its target of US$85. At US$88, is now close to resistance at US$90 with discounts to coal falling sharply into the neutral zone. Further points of resistance are US$95, US$105, US$115 and US$135. Support is at US$85,...

Petcoke on the rise, driven by higher coal prices and high discounts – new OPEC cuts support oil

21 July 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The holiday mood has dampened the volatility in most markets and the dominant factor is the fear of low demand due to slower growth as central banks keep raising interest rates to bring inflation down. The European Central Bank (ECB) raised interest rates again. Following the general elections, the Turkish Central Bank raised rates by 6.5 per cent to 15 per cent in a new inflation focus. Talks between the USA and China have released the te...

Petcoke seen as cheapest fuel as up first time in 17 weeks

07 July 2023, Published under Cement News

by Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark Oil is stabilising following an intervention from Saudi Arabia with cuts as negative sentiment persists. Coal has settled above US$100, but plenty of supply to the market. Nevertheless, a higher price is expected. Petcoke dropped to US$65, but after 17 weeks, it is now seen as the cheapest fuel and price is moving up. While the discount remains in neutral, its position at the high end points to a move to the cheap zone. Steam coal an...

OPEC+ actions lift oil and the energy complex – coal and petcoke fall to 2020 levels on lower demand

30 June 2023, Published under Cement News

By Frank O. Brannvoll, Brannvoll ApS, Denmark The markets are still caught in the fear that higher interest rates to fight inflation could start a recession and see demand fall. The market expects both the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank to increase rates but at a slower rate to enable current levels to take effect. The US debt ceiling agreement reduced market fears and saw equities rise. Geopolitical tensions are looking towards Taiwan where US and Chinese navies are conduct...