Global Editor, Base Oil News

Iain Pocock

Global Editor

Global Base Oils and Lubricants Markets

Base Oil News

Base Oil News focuses on the interplay between fundamentals and prices in the global base oils and lubricants markets.

Baseoilnews.com combines daily, weekly and monthly base oils and lubes fundamentals data from every region of the world to build the most comprehensive and up-to-date global picture of the state of the market.

The data and analysis provide key tools to understand current market developments and opportunities and to anticipate how the market is likely to behave in the coming months.

Base oils producers, lube blenders and consumers can then better plan accordingly.

Baseoilnews.com analyses and publishes market news and data every day as it breaks.

Commodities

Base oil is the main component in the production of lubricants including greases, motor oil and processing fluids. They constitute around 90 percent in lubricants. The American Petroleum Institute (API) has categorized base oils into five categories. Group I, II and III are refined from crude.

<ul><li>Asia’s base oils demand could wane as expectations of improving supply and more muted end-user consumption incentivize blenders to keep low stocks.</li><li>High base oils margins could add to buyers’ preference to hold back amid concern about disconnect between high margins and prospect of weaker supply-demand fundamentals.</li><li>More muted regional demand would speed up recovery in supply as more plant maintenance draws to a close in coming weeks.</li></ul>

Asia’s base oils demand could wane as expectations of improving supply and more muted end-user consumption incentivize blenders to keep low stocks.High base oils margins could add to buyers’ preference to hold back amid concern about disconnect between high margins and prospect of weaker supply-demand fundamentals.More muted regional demand would speed up recovery in supply as more plant maintenance draws to a close in coming weeks.

Asia base oils demand outlook: Week of 28 April

Rubber News Specialist, Helixtap

Vinod Nedumudy

Rubber News Specialist

Global Commodities Alternative Data and Insights

Helixtap

Helixtap collects, processes and distributes proprietary data, analyses and forecasts for the rubber, latex and automotive markets

SGX Technically Specified Rubber 20 (TSR20) Futures: Effective from 16th May 2011, this contract will be migrated from SICOM platform to the SGX-DT platform. It will cease trading on SICOM at the close of business day Friday, 13th May 2011. Trading hours are revised as 7.55am to 6.00pm (no lunch break). Please refer to SGX products website for the new revised contract specifications. Exchange symbol: TF. Product Specifications: https://www2.sgx.com/derivatives/products/sicom-rubber?cc=TF

<ul><li>Rubber products exports to the US falls 4.99% MoM in Feb  </li><li> Product exports to China surge by 143.22% MoM in Feb  </li><li> Rubber exports value in Feb soar to US$225.71 million  </li></ul>

Rubber products exports to the US falls 4.99% MoM in Feb   Product exports to China surge by 143.22% MoM in Feb   Rubber exports value in Feb soar to US$225.71 million  

Vietnam Rubber Export Returns Up, But Products Suffer In Feb

Equity, Bottom-up Analyst, Investics Research

Sameer Taneja

Equity, Bottom-up Analyst

Investics Research

It is important to note that the information provided by Investics Research is based on publicly available data and own knowledge, which has been gathered and analyzed from a variety of sources. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information provided, it is not guaranteed to be free from errors or omissions. All forecasts and estimates are based on information that has been obtained from public sources that are considered to be reliable. The sources include but are not limited to, company announcements, exchange filings, presentations, etc. Investics does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the forecasts, estimates, and/or other information.

Equity Bottom-up Research

Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. The ores are usually rich in iron oxides and vary in color from dark grey, bright yellow, deep purple, to rusty red. The iron itself is usually found in the form of magnetite (Fe3O4, 72.4% Fe), hematite (Fe2O3, 69.9% Fe), goethite (FeO(OH), 62.9% Fe), limonite (FeO(OH).n(H2O)) or siderite (FeCO3, 48.2% Fe).

<ul>
<li>Iron ore prices experienced a modest WoW increase of 0.2%, reflecting easing trade tensions as the US considers reducing some of the stringent tariffs previously imposed.</li>
<li>China's Total Social Financing (TSF) increased by 22% YoY, reaching 5.89 trillion yuan, surpassing the expected 4.8 trillion yuan and boosting optimism for preemptive stimulus measures.</li>
<li>China's March steel production rose 5% YoY to 92.8 million tons, underscoring its vital role in the market, contributing 56% to total global production.</li>
</ul>


Iron ore prices experienced a modest WoW increase of 0.2%, reflecting easing trade tensions as the US considers reducing some of the stringent tariffs previously imposed.
China's Total Social Financing (TSF) increased by 22% YoY, reaching 5.89 trillion yuan, surpassing the expected 4.8 trillion yuan and boosting optimism for preemptive stimulus measures.
China's March steel production rose 5% YoY to 92.8 million tons, underscoring its vital role in the market, contributing 56% to total global production.


Iron Ore Tracker (28-Apr-2025): Iron Ore Within The Band, China Lending Data To The Rescue

Copper is a chemical element with symbol Cu (from Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a reddish-orange color. It is used as a conductor of heat and electricity, as a building material and as a constituent of various metal alloys, such as Sterling silver used in jewelry, cupronickel used to make marine hardware and coins and constantan used in strain gauges and thermocouples for temperature measurement.

<ul>
<li>China's Total Social Financing (TSF) saw a 22% YoY rise, reaching 5.89 trillion yuan, surpassing the expected 4.8 trillion yuan and boosting optimism for preemptive stimulus measures.</li>
<li>COMEX spreads rose above 1200 USD/ton, while Yangshan premiums climbed to 90 USD/ton, reinforcing our positive outlook on copper prices.</li>
<li>Positive Q1 FY25 results from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/southern-copper-corp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Southern Copper (SCCO US)</a>, <a target="_blank">First Quantum Minerals (FM CN)</a>, and <a target="_blank">Antofagasta PLC (ANTO LN)</a>'s positive production update have set the tone for a bullish copper outlook.</li>
</ul>


China's Total Social Financing (TSF) saw a 22% YoY rise, reaching 5.89 trillion yuan, surpassing the expected 4.8 trillion yuan and boosting optimism for preemptive stimulus measures.
COMEX spreads rose above 1200 USD/ton, while Yangshan premiums climbed to 90 USD/ton, reinforcing our positive outlook on copper prices.
Positive Q1 FY25 results from Southern Copper (SCCO US), First Quantum Minerals (FM CN), and Antofagasta PLC (ANTO LN)'s positive production update have set the tone for a bullish copper outlook.


Copper Tracker 28th April 2025: A Huge Positive From The China March Lending Data

Oil and Gas, Mint Finance

Suhas Reddy

Oil and Gas

Deep Fundamental Analysis

Mint Finance

Mint Finance's investment research blends deep fundamental analysis with technical & quant insights. Investment strategies straddle across multiple asset classes with risk management embedded into every trade to deliver an outsized reward-to-risk ratio.

Mint Finance's research is centered around three key themes. First, energy transition and climate change. Second, artificial intelligence. Third, shifting world order with its impact across politics and monetary economics.

Crude oil is a naturally occurring, unrefined petroleum product composed of hydrocarbon deposits and other organic materials. Crude oil can be refined to produce usable products such as gasoline, diesel and various forms of petrochemicals. It is a nonrenewable resource, also known as a fossil fuel, which means that it can't be replaced naturally at the rate we consume it and is therefore a limited resource.

<ul>
<li>U.S. oil producers need prices between USD 61-70 per barrel to maintain profitability. With prices around USD 60 per barrel, drilling activity is likely to decrease.</li>
<li>Rising tariffs and trade uncertainty are increasing oilfield equipment costs and threatening production growth in the United States.</li>
<li>While Saudi Arabia faces fiscal pressures and OPEC supply constraints, Petrobras benefits from low breakeven costs, no OPEC restrictions, and strong investment.</li>
</ul>


U.S. oil producers need prices between USD 61-70 per barrel to maintain profitability. With prices around USD 60 per barrel, drilling activity is likely to decrease.
Rising tariffs and trade uncertainty are increasing oilfield equipment costs and threatening production growth in the United States.
While Saudi Arabia faces fiscal pressures and OPEC supply constraints, Petrobras benefits from low breakeven costs, no OPEC restrictions, and strong investment.


The Diverging Impact of Falling Crude Prices on Various Oil Producing Regions

Analysis of underlying commodity demand & supply

Commodities
Analysis of underlying commodity demand & supply

Asia base oils demand outlook: Week of 28 April

Asia’s base oils demand could wane as expectations of improving supply and more muted end-user consumption incentivize blenders to keep low...

Base Oil News

Vietnam Rubber Export Returns Up, But Products Suffer In Feb

Vietnam’s rubber products export sector faced renewed pressure in February 2025, as shifting global demand and market-specific headwinds...

Helixtap

Iron Ore Tracker (28-Apr-2025): Iron Ore Within The Band, China Lending Data To The Rescue

Encouraging lending in China, a rebound in steel production, and reduced trade tensions provide a basis for iron ore prices to increase from 98 USD...

Sameer Taneja

Copper Tracker 28th April 2025: A Huge Positive From The China March Lending Data

We maintain a bullish stance on copper, as China's March TSF data suggests a push for more stimulus. Additionally, rising COMEX spreads and the...

Sameer Taneja

The Diverging Impact of Falling Crude Prices on Various Oil Producing Regions

U.S. oil producers face profitability challenges with prices near USD 60/b, while trade uncertainty raises equipment costs. Saudi Arabia struggles...

Mint Finance

Asia base oils demand outlook: Week of 28 April

Asia’s base oils demand could wane as expectations of improving supply and more muted end-user consumption incentivize blenders to keep low...

Base Oil News

Vietnam Rubber Export Returns Up, But Products Suffer In Feb

​​​​​​​Vietnam’s rubber products export sector faced renewed pressure in February 2025, as shifting global demand and market-specific headwinds...

Helixtap

Iron Ore Tracker (28-Apr-2025): Iron Ore Within The Band, China Lending Data To The Rescue

Encouraging lending in China, a rebound in steel production, and reduced trade tensions provide a basis for iron ore prices to increase from 98 USD...

Sameer Taneja

Copper Tracker 28th April 2025: A Huge Positive From The China March Lending Data

We maintain a bullish stance on copper, as China's March TSF data suggests a push for more stimulus. Additionally, rising COMEX spreads and the...

Sameer Taneja

The Diverging Impact of Falling Crude Prices on Various Oil Producing Regions

​U.S. oil producers face profitability challenges with prices near USD 60/b, while trade uncertainty raises equipment costs. Saudi Arabia struggles...

Mint Finance

Vietnam’s rubber products export sector faced renewed pressure in February 2025, as shifting global demand and market-specific headwinds...

U.S. oil producers face profitability challenges with prices near USD 60/b, while trade uncertainty raises equipment costs. Saudi Arabia struggles...