Mid-Month to Mid-Month: Prices Head Higher

The period from mid-August to mid-September saw prices begin to recoup a bit after their summer roller coaster ride. During the latest period, Group 140 retreated below Mont Belvieu as the Texas basing point recaptured its premium over the Midwestern hub. As dealers and customers alike prepare for the autumn and winter season, the markets are taking on a new sense of urgency. How supply and prices will play out this year is anyone’s guess.

The posted average price at Mont Belvieu in mid-August was around 109 cents/gal., falling marginally at month’s end to 108.153 cents. Going into September, it was all uphill. The first week of the month found prices rebounding to 110.031 cents, then to 114.250 cents. By mid-September the price topped out at 117.719 cents/gal.

Group 140 followed in step with Belvieu. After remaining around 109 cents/gal., the group sank to 104.770 cents at the end of August. The following weeks saw the average move higher, rising three cents to 107.895 cents, another couple of pennies to 110.208 cents, and then finishing at 111.958 cents/gal.

The Mont Belvieu spot market held around 102 cents before rising to 103.50-104.125 cents at the beginning of September. The following week saw a four-cent jump to 106.50-107.25 cents. After rallying to the 110.00-111.00 cents/gal. range, spots retreated to 107.25-107.50 cents in mid-September.
Spots at Conway seemed to make a U-turn with the new month. After beginning mid-month around 103 to 104 cents, spots bottomed out the last week of August at just above a dollar per gallon. The next week prices moved upward to 103.375-104.50 cents, then to 105.25-106.75 cents. Like Belvieu, Conway briefly soared higher to 109.25-110.00 cents, only to slump to 105.125-105.875 cents/gal.