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Buying EUAs on the cheap will likely be one of the great opportunities of 2024

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SEB - analysbrev på råvaror

There are certainly bearish forces at work in the EUA market currently. Spot-wise, yes, but current forward price curve dynamics also creates a bearish pressure. Not the least from the utility side which normally is the big forward buyer of EUAs. They can now buy back previous forward hedges which where they locked in positive forward power margins. The can now instead reverse these which means that they instead of buying EUAs forward will sell EUAs forward.

That said, the MSR mechanism in the EUA market basically ensures that any surplus EUA above 833 million ton in the TNAC (Total Number of Allowances in Circulation) is wiped out within 2-3 years. The medium term EUA market fundamentals in 2026/27 and beyond is thus mostly untouched of what is going on right now. Forward 2026/27 and onward fundamentals are thus still as strong as they were previously which calls for a minimum price of EUR 100/ton or more by that time-horizon.

The question is what will be the catalyst which will turn this around to bullish price action instead of current bearish price action. A return to positive, forward clean dark and clean spark spreads is one. Economic revival in Europe as nat gas prices now have come down almost to the real average gas price level from 2010 to 2019 is another. Strong buying from shipping as they have no free allocations on their hands and will need every single EUA they buy in the years to come. But also industry will need increasingly more EUAs in the years to come and could utilize the current slump in EUA prices. Investors could also dive in at price levels seen ”too low” versus medium-term fundamental prices. Though hedge funds rarely have time to wait 2-3 years for a revival. But at some point the difference between the EUA spot price and what is considered a fair EUA price level (given politics and forward EUA fundamentals) become too big and too tempting to resist for both speculators and users of EUAs 

Every year has unique opportunities in different types of assets, equities, currencies etc. We think that one of the great opportunities in 2024 when looked upon in hindsight, will be cheap EUAs. Thus those in need for EUAs in the years ahead should bid their time and pay attention to the opportunity currently playing out in the EU carbon market.

Since 17 January the front-month EUA price has ranged between an intraday low of EUR 59.12/ton and an intraday high of EUR 64.05/ton and with an average of closes of EUR 61.4/ton. The stabilization in the EUA price seems strongly related to the price development in the front-year TTF nat gas price which has stabilized at around EUR 32/MWh during the exact same period following a sharp price decline since early October last year.

The front-year TTF nat gas contract has stabilized at around EUR 32/MWh and the average year 2025 EUA price has stabilized for now around EUR 61/ton.

The front-year TTF nat gas contract
Source: SEB graph, blbrg data

But the EUA price may have halted around the EUR 60/ton mark for other reasons as well. One is that when politicians tightened up the EUA market with backloading (2014) and MSR (2019) the EUA price rallied on its own merits and ahead of the Coal-to-Gas differentials all the way up to EUR 60/ton in 2021. In September 2021 however the C-t-G differentials (implied price of EUAs by marginal power market dynamics in an EUA market which is not too tight and not too loose) rallied ahead and above the EUA price  due to the rally in nat gas prices. This then helped to drive the EUA price yet higher. The EUA price is now however back down at the crossover price of EUR 60/ton from September 2021 at which the EUA price previously was able to reach on its own merits (political tightening).

The average EUA front-year price in EUR/ton vs. the implied front-year C-t-G differential with 41% efficient coal and 54% efficient nat gas. The difference between the efficiency of 41% to 54% is not much different than the often used 36% vs 49%.

The average EUA front-year price in EUR/ton vs. the implied front-year C-t-G differential with 41% efficient coal and 54% efficient nat gas.
Source: SEB calculations and graph, Blrg data

The EUA price also seems to follow the front-year C-t-G differentials quite closely while the discrepancies widen out further out on the curve. Thus a further sharp decline in the front-year TTF nat gas price is probably needed dynamically to drive the EUA price yet lower.

The EUA price seems to be anchored to the front-year TTF nat gas price as well as the front-year Coal-to-Gas differentials. But further out on the curve the latter widens out. Either because of increasing market tightness or simply due to curve structures. There are no support from C-t-G differentials in the current forward curves for 2026 and 2027.

The EUA price
Source: SEB graph and calculations, Blbrg data

A serious element of weakness in the EUA market currently is that current forward clean power margins are negative. I.e. there is likely very limited amount of forward hedging by utilities as it doesn’t make sense for utilities to lock-in negative forward margins. Utilities are normally a large source of forward buying of EUAs and now there is probably close to nothing. And maybe even the opposite: Utilities may reverse previously entered hedges where they locked in forward positive margins and now instead can buy them back at favorable negative levels.

On a forward basis it costs more to produce power with Coal+CO2 or Gas+CO2 than it is possible to sell the power at on a forward basis.

On a forward basis it costs more to produce power with Coal+CO2 or Gas+CO2 than it is possible to sell the power at on a forward basis.
Source: SEB graph and calculations, Blbrg data

The following graph shows a ”utility hedging incentive index” which when positive indicates positive, clean forward coal and gas power margins with a weighting of 75%, 50% and 25% on the nearest Yr1, Yr2 and Yr3. Very strong and positive forward power margins since Jan 2019. The index crossed below the EUR 5/MWh margin October last year and now sits at a massive negative EUR 7.8/MWh at which Utilities are incentivised to revers their previous hedges and buy back previously sold power and then sell coal, gas and EUAs.

The EUA price vs. SEB’s Utility forward hedging incentive index. Now very negative. Potentially feeds EUA sales into the market from the Utility side.

The EUA price vs. SEB's Utility forward hedging incentive index.
Source: SEB calculations and graph, Blbrg data

There are thus certainly bearish forces at work in the EUA market currently. Both spot-wise but also current forward price curve dynamics creates a bearish pressure. Not the least from the utility side which normally is the big forward buyer of EUAs.

That said, the MSR mechanism in the EUA market basically ensures that any surplus EUA above 833 million ton in the TNAC (Total Number of Allowances in Circulation) is wiped out within 2-3 years. The medium term EUA market fundamentals in 2026/27 are thus mostly untouched of what is going on right now. Forward 2026/27 and onward fundamentals are thus still as strong as they were previously which calls for a minimum price of EUR 100/ton or more by that time-horizon.

The question is what will be the catalyst which will turn this around to bullish price action. Positive, forward clean dark and clean spark spreads is one. Economic revival in Europe as nat gas prices now have come down almost to the real average gas price level from 2010 to 2019. Strong buying from shipping as they have no free allocations on their hands and will need every single EUA the buy in the years to come. But also industry will need increasingly more EUAs in the years to come. Investors could also dive in at price levels seen ”too low” versus medium-term fundamental prices. Though hedge funds rarely have time to wait 2-3 years for a revival. But at some point the difference between the EUA spot price and what is considered a fair EUA price level (given politics and forward EUA fundamentals) become too big and too tempting to resist for both speculators and users of EUAs

Analys

Increasing risk that OPEC+ will unwind the last 1.65 mb/d of cuts when they meet on 7 September

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SEB - analysbrev på råvaror

Pushed higher by falling US inventories and positive Jackson Hall signals. Brent crude traded up 2.9% last week to a close of $67.73/b. It traded between $65.3/b and $68.0/b with the low early in the week and the high on Friday. US oil inventory draws together with positive signals from Powel at Jackson Hall signaling that rate cuts are highly likely helped to drive both oil and equities higher.

Bjarne Schieldrop, Chief analyst commodities, SEB
Bjarne Schieldrop, Chief analyst commodities, SEB

Ticking higher for a fourth day in a row. Bank holiday in the UK calls for muted European session. Brent crude is inching 0.2% higher this morning to $67.9/b which if it holds will be the fourth trading day in a row with gains. Price action in the European session will likely be quite muted due to bank holiday in the UK today.

OPEC+ is lifting production but we keep waiting for the surplus to show up. The rapid unwinding of voluntary cuts by OPEC+ has placed the market in a waiting position. Waiting for the surplus to emerge and materialize. Waiting for OECD stocks to rise rapidly and visibly. Waiting for US crude and product stocks to rise. Waiting for crude oil forward curves to bend into proper contango. Waiting for increasing supply of medium sour crude from OPEC+ to push sour cracks lower and to push Mid-East sour crudes to increasing discounts to light sweet Brent crude. In anticipation of this the market has traded Brent and WTI crude benchmarks up to $10/b lower than what solely looking at present OECD inventories, US inventories and front-end backwardation would have warranted.

Quite a few pockets of strength. Dubai sour crude is trading at a premium to Brent  crude! The front-end of the crude oil curves are still in backwardation. High sulfur fuel oil in ARA has weakened from parity with Brent crude in May, but is still only trading at a discount of $5.6/b to Brent versus a more normal discount of $10/b. ARA middle distillates are trading at a premium of $25/b versus Brent crude versus a more normal $15-20/b. US crude stocks are at the lowest seasonal level since 2018. And lastly, the Dubai sour crude marker is trading a premium to Brent crude (light sweet crude in Europe) as highlighted by Bloomberg this morning. Dubai is normally at a discount to Brent. With more medium sour crude from OPEC+ in general and the Middle East specifically, the widespread and natural expectation has been that Dubai should trade at an increasing discount to Brent. the opposite has happened. Dubai traded at a discount of $2.3/b to Brent in early June. Dubai has since then been on a steady strengthening path versus Brent crude and Dubai is today trading at a premium of $1.3/b. Quite unusual in general but especially so now that OPEC+ is supposed to produce more.

This makes the upcoming OPEC+ meeting on 7 September even more of a thrill. At stake is the next and last layer of 1.65 mb/d of voluntary cuts to unwind. The market described above shows pockets of strength blinking here and there. This clearly increases the chance that OPEC+ decides to unwind the remaining 1.65 mb/d of voluntary cuts when they meet on 7 September to discuss production in October. Though maybe they split it over two or three months of unwind. After that the group can start again with a clean slate and discuss OPEC+ wide cuts rather than voluntary cuts by a sub-group. That paves the way for OPEC+ wide cuts into Q1-26 where a large surplus is projected unless the group kicks in with cuts.

The Dubai medium sour crude oil marker usually trades at a discount to Brent crude. More oil from the Middle East as they unwind cuts should make that discount to Brent crude even more pronounced. Dubai has instead traded steadily stronger versus Brent since late May.

The Dubai medium sour crude oil marker
Source: SEB graph, calculations and highlights. Bloomberg data

The Brent crude oil forward curve (latest in white) keeps stuck in backwardation at the front end of the curve. I.e. it is still a tight crude oil market at present. The smile-effect is the market anticipation of surplus down the road.

The Brent crude oil forward curve (latest in white)
Source: Bloomberg
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Analys

Brent edges higher as India–Russia oil trade draws U.S. ire and Powell takes the stage at Jackson Hole

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SEB - analysbrev på råvaror

Best price since early August. Brent crude gained 1.2% yesterday to settle at USD 67.67/b, the highest close since early August and the second day of gains. Prices traded to an intraday low of USD 66.74/b before closing up on the day. This morning Brent is ticking slightly higher at USD 67.76/b as the market steadies ahead of Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech later today.

Bjarne Schieldrop, Chief analyst commodities, SEB
Bjarne Schieldrop, Chief analyst commodities, SEB

No Russia/Ukraine peace in sight and India getting heat from US over imports of Russian oil. Yesterday’s price action was driven by renewed geopolitical tension and steady underlying demand. Stalled ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine helped maintain a modest risk premium, while the spotlight turned to India’s continued imports of Russian crude. Trump sharply criticized New Delhi’s purchases, threatening higher tariffs and possible sanctions. His administration has already announced tariff hikes on Indian goods from 25% to 50% later this month. India has pushed back, defending its right to diversify crude sourcing and highlighting that it also buys oil from the U.S. Moscow meanwhile reaffirmed its commitment to supply India, deepening the impression that global energy flows are becoming increasingly politicized.

Holding steady this morning awaiting Powell’s address at Jackson Hall. This morning the main market focus is Powell’s address at Jackson Hole. It is set to be the key event for markets today, with traders parsing every word for signals on the Fed’s policy path. A September rate cut is still the base case but the odds have slipped from almost certainty earlier this month to around three-quarters. Sticky inflation data have tempered expectations, raising the stakes for Powell to strike the right balance between growth concerns and inflation risks. His tone will shape global risk sentiment into the weekend and will be closely watched for implications on the oil demand outlook.

For now, oil is holding steady with geopolitical frictions lending support and macro uncertainty keeping gains in check.

Oil market is starting to think and worry about next OPEC+ meeting on 7 September. While still a good two weeks to go, the next OPEC+ meeting on 7 September will be crucial for the oil market. After approving hefty production hikes in August and September, the question is now whether the group will also unwind the remaining 1.65 million bpd of voluntary cuts. Thereby completing the full phase-out of voluntary reductions well ahead of schedule. The decision will test OPEC+’s balancing act between volume-driven influence and price stability. The gathering on 7 September may give the clearest signal yet of whether the group will pause, pivot, or press ahead.

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Analys

Brent sideways on sanctions and peace talks

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SEB - analysbrev på råvaror

Brent crude is currently trading around USD 66.2 per barrel, following a relatively tight session on Monday, where prices ranged between USD 65.3 and USD 66.8. While expectations of higher OPEC+ supply continue to weigh on sentiment, recent headlines have been dominated by geopolitics – particularly developments in Washington.

Ole R. Hvalbye, Analyst Commodities, SEB
Ole R. Hvalbye, Analyst Commodities, SEB

At the center is the White House meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, and several key European leaders. During the meeting, Trump reportedly placed a direct call to Putin to discuss a potential bilateral sit-down between Putin and Zelenskyy, which several European officials have said could take place within two weeks.

While the Kremlin’s response remains vague, markets have interpreted this as a modestly positive signal, with both equities and global oil prices holding steady. Brent is marginally lower since yesterday’s close, while U.S. and Asian equity markets remain broadly flat.

Still, the political undertone is shifting, and markets may be underestimating the longer-term implications. According to the NY times, Putin has proposed a peace plan under which Russia would claim full control of the Donbas in exchange for dropping demands over Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – territories it has not yet seized.

Meanwhile, discussions around Ukraine’s long-term security framework are starting to take shape. Zelenskyy appeared encouraged by Trump’s openness to supporting a post-war security guarantee for Ukraine. While the exact terms remain unclear, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff stated that Putin had signaled willingness to allow Washington and its allies to offer Kyiv a NATO-style collective defense guarantee – a move that would significantly reshape the regional security landscape.

As diplomatic efforts gain momentum, markets are also beginning to assess the potential consequences of a partial or full rollback of U.S. sanctions on Russian energy. Any unwind would likely be gradual and uneven, especially if European allies resist or delay alignment. The U.S. could act unilaterally by loosening financial restrictions, granting Russian firms greater access to Western capital and services, and effectively neutralizing the price cap mechanism. However, the EU embargo on Russian crude and products remains a more immediate constraint on flows – particularly as it continues to tighten.

Even if the U.S. were to ease restrictions, Moscow would remain heavily reliant on buyers like India and China to absorb the majority of its crude exports, as European countries are unlikely to quickly re-engage in energy trade. That shift is already playing out. As India pulls back amid newly doubled U.S. tariffs – a response to its ongoing Russian oil purchases – Chinese refiners have stepped in.

So far in August, Chinese imports of Russia’s Urals crude – typically shipped from Baltic and Black Sea ports – have nearly doubled from the YTD average, with at least two tankers idling off Zhoushan and more reportedly en route (Kpler data). The uptick is driven by attractive pricing and the absence of direct U.S. trade penalties on China, which remains in a delicate tariff truce with Washington.

Indian refiners, by contrast, are notably more cautious – receiving offers but accepting few. The takeaway is clear: China is acting as the buyer of last resort for surplus Russian barrels, likely directing them into strategic storage. While this may temporarily cushion the effects of sanctions relief, it cannot fully offset the constraints imposed by Europe’s ongoing absence.

As a result, any meaningful boost to global supply from a rollback of U.S. sanctions on Russia may take longer to materialize than headlines suggest.

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