Analys
SEB – Jordbruksprodukter, vecka 20 2012
Det här veckobrevet är tidigarelagt dels för att det är Kristi himmelsfärds dag på torsdag och dels för att vi har en WASDE-rapport att recensera.
Under helgen kom nyheten från Kina att landet sänkt reservkraven på kinesiska banker med 0.5%. Normalt borde det fått marknaderna för råvaror att stiga. Så sker inte. Merkels CDU har förlorat ett viktigt val i Tyskland. De flesta tolkar detta som att viljan att betala för resten av de skuldsatta länderna i Europa har minskat. Ett nytt politiskt kaos har drabbat Grekland och de flesta väntar sig att landet går i konkurs och får införa sin urgamla valuta drachman igen. Vi har en ny president vald i Frankrike, som inte tycks vara så inställd på att rädda sina grannländer. Räntan på spanska 10-åriga obligationer har stigit över 6% igen (6% innebär slutlig konkurs). Motsvarande ränta i Portugal är 11%. USA:s ekonomi hackar och Wall Street är i chock efter att JP Morgan, bankernas bank, redovisat 2 mdr dollar i vad som med rätta ska kallas kreditförluster. Kinas tillväxt hackar också, men de stimulerar den. Allt detta väcker tvivel om efterfrågan på råvaror.
Odlingsväder
Southern Oscillation Index, ett mått på intensiteten i graden av La Niña eller El Niño, ligger kvar därdet låg förra veckan. Nu är indexet 4.3. En nivå mellan +8 och -8 indikerar neutrala ENSOförhållanden.
Vete
WASDE-rapporten i torsdags. För 2011/12 gjordes inga större förändringar vad gäller produktion. Konsumtionen justerades däremot upp med 8 mt för Kanada, EU och Kina. För kommande skörd, marknadsföringsåret 2012/13 sänktes skörden med 17 mt netto. Skörden väntas bli större i USA och Kanada, i Kina och i Indien, men skörden väntas bli lägre I EU-27, fd Sovjetunionen och på södra halvklotet. Konsumtionen väntas bli som i år.
Sammanfattningsvis: Utgående globala lager för 2012/13 är något ”bullish”, men för världsmarknaden betyder USA i egenskap av den största exportören väldigt mycket. En skörd i USA på 61 mt mot 54 mt förra året och 60 mt för två år sedan, är bearish. Summa summarum, innehåll rapporten alltså inte några nyheter som allvarligt kunde flytta på priset just för vete. Däremot var majs-rapporten bearish och sojarapporten bullish. Och av detta betyder majsen mest för vetet. Nedan ser vi novemberkontraktet på Matif. Uppåttrenden är bruten och 200 euro är nu ett psykologiskt motstånd. 190 euro ser ut att ligga inom räckhåll.
Nedan ser vi Chicagovetet med leverans i december. Priset trendar nedåt efter att ha brutit stödet på 650 cent.
Maltkorn
Novemberkontraktet på maltkorn har brutit stödnivån 220 euro per ton. Priset har vänt på den här nivån strax under 220 flera gånger förut, så det är inte någon teknisk säljsignal än.
Majs
WASDE-rapporten i torsdag innehåll en uppjustering av Brasiliens just skördade skörd från 62 mt till 67 mt. Vi noterar att skörden 2012/13 väntas bli rekordstor. Orsaken är att ENSO slagit om från La Niña till neutrala förhållanden, eller rentav El Niño. Detta har vi sett i ensembleprognoserna sedan nyår. Skörden per acre i USA väntas öka med 20 bushels per acre eller med 13%. Efterfrågan väntas också hoppa uppåt med 54 mt. Det här är den första rapporten som ordentligt tagit in det riktigt goda odlingsklimatet på planeten under kommande år och den är därmed riktigt bearish.
Priset på decembermajs föll ner och ”rörde vid” 500 cent. Troligtvis ska marknaden testa den nivån igen. Bryts den får vi en förnyad säljsignal.
Sojabönor
WASDE-rapporten i torsdags: Lite mindre skörd antas ha bärgats i Sydamerika, framförallt gäller det Argentina. Utgående lager i höst väntas vara ännu lägre än tidigare trott. För kommande skörd väntas, som vi redan skrivit om, en rekordskörd i Sydamerika. Odlingsvädret, där ENSO slagit om till neutrala eller rentav El Niño-förhållanden är idealiskt inför sådden på södra halvklotet. Global produktion antas ligga 35 mt högre än i år. Konsumtionen väntas också öka och det innebär att utgående lager bara ökar något lite. Det är ännu lång tid kvar till skörd och mycket kan hända längs vägen. Majs är attraktivt att så och sojapriset måste hålla sig högt för att försvara arealen.
Marknaden har sålt på sojabönorna idag på grund av de ekonomiska nyheterna från Europa, som väcker farhågor om efterfrågan på ”bättre mat”.
1300 är en teknisk stödnivå då priset vände där i månadsskiftet mars-april. Återstår att se om nivån håller den här gången.
Raps
Priset på novemberterminen tycks ha toppat ur på 480 euro per ton.
Potatis
Potatispriset för leverans nästa år fortsätter att stiga. Priset är definitivt i stigande trend.
Gris
Det har av naturliga skäl inte hänt speciellt mycket med lean hogs sedan förra veckobrevet. Priset ligger på samma (låga) nivå.
Mjölk
Mjölkpriset (decemberleverans) handlas lite högre än förra veckan, på 15.68. Lägsta förra veckan var 15.38. Vi ser detta som en naturlig rekyl när några tycker att priset fallit för mycket för fort.
[box]SEB Veckobrev Jordbruksprodukter är producerat av SEB Merchant Banking och publiceras i samarbete och med tillstånd på Råvarumarknaden.se[/box]
Disclaimer
The information in this document has been compiled by SEB Merchant Banking, a division within Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) (“SEB”).
Opinions contained in this report represent the bank’s present opinion only and are subject to change without notice. All information contained in this report has been compiled in good faith from sources believed to be reliable. However, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made with respect to the completeness or accuracy of its contents and the information is not to be relied upon as authoritative. Anyone considering taking actions based upon the content of this document is urged to base his or her investment decisions upon such investigations as he or she deems necessary. This document is being provided as information only, and no specific actions are being solicited as a result of it; to the extent permitted by law, no liability whatsoever is accepted for any direct or consequential loss arising from use of this document or its contents.
About SEB
SEB is a public company incorporated in Stockholm, Sweden, with limited liability. It is a participant at major Nordic and other European Regulated Markets and Multilateral Trading Facilities (as well as some non-European equivalent markets) for trading in financial instruments, such as markets operated by NASDAQ OMX, NYSE Euronext, London Stock Exchange, Deutsche Börse, Swiss Exchanges, Turquoise and Chi-X. SEB is authorized and regulated by Finansinspektionen in Sweden; it is authorized and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Services Authority for the conduct of designated investment business in the UK, and is subject to the provisions of relevant regulators in all other jurisdictions where SEB conducts operations. SEB Merchant Banking. All rights reserved.
Analys
Anticipated demand weakness sends chills
![SEB - analysbrev på råvaror](https://ravarumarknaden.se/wp-content/uploads/seb-ravaror-800x471.png)
Brent crude stabilized around USD 73 per barrel yesterday and this morning, following U.S. inventory data that showed significant draws for yet another week, along with OPEC’s decision to delay output hikes for two months. However, the shift in OPEC+ strategy wasn’t enough to offset the sharp losses in crude prices witnessed over the past few weeks, with Brent falling by USD 8.5 per barrel (10.3%) since late August. This recent decline has largely been driven by concerns over fragile demand.
Looking ahead, despite the bullish U.S. inventory report (detailed below), the market’s focus remains on the anticipated weakness in crude and product demand, which is overshadowing positive signals. Deep concerns persist, especially regarding China, which typically accounts for roughly 40% of annual global demand growth.
Moreover, the current change in OPEC+ strategy does not guarantee stability moving forward. There is still uncertainty around how OPEC+ will proceed: whether it will continue to delay production or release more volumes to the market. Historically, OPEC+ has maintained a ”price floor” at USD 80+ per barrel, stepping in to support prices. However, this floor may now be shifting. Lastly, the Russia-Ukraine diesel shock has mostly dissipated, leading to a decline in the diesel crack and global diesel prices, which in turn is reducing stress on crude markets.
U.S. crude oil refinery inputs averaged 16.9 million barrels per day last week, reflecting a slight increase from the prior week, with refineries operating at 93.3% capacity. U.S. commercial crude inventories dropped by 6.9 million barrels, bringing the total to 418.3 million barrels—about 5% below the five-year average for this time of year, signaling a clear tightness in supply.
Since June, U.S. crude inventories have consistently shown substantial draws (see page 12), underscoring strong implied demand (see page 15) and slower-than-expected production growth. U.S. crude production appears to have plateaued, and its trajectory for the rest of the year will be crucial to monitor.
Gasoline inventories rose by 0.8 million barrels but remained 2% below the five-year average, while distillate (diesel) inventories fell by 0.4 million barrels, standing a significant 10% below their historical average.
On the import side, U.S. crude oil imports averaged 5.8 million barrels per day last week, down by 768,000 barrels from the previous week, further contributing to the supply draw. With China’s weakening economy now a focal point for commodities markets, pushing industrial commodities lower, the energy sector remains vulnerable but resilient for now.
Gasoline production reached 9.7 million barrels per day, and diesel production hit 5.2 million barrels per day, both reflecting steady output. Additionally, overall petroleum inventories fell by 8.0 million barrels (see page 14).
Earlier this week, we released our updated Oil and Gas Price Outlook, which provides detailed projections and insights into market trends through 2027. In the report, we forecast lower oil prices in 2025 as the market shifts to surplus, driven by tepid demand growth – particularly from China – and rising production both within and outside of OPEC+. We expect OPEC+ to tolerate some price declines in exchange for higher volumes, which could lead to increased price volatility. Yet, a market deficit is likely to return in 2026, setting the stage for a price rebound. In the natural gas market, tight LNG supply conditions are expected to sustain upward price pressure through 2024 and 2025, despite high EU inventories, with relief coming in late 2026 as new production capacity becomes available.
Analys
Brent crude will fluctuate more as OPEC+ loosens market control
![SEB - analysbrev på råvaror](https://ravarumarknaden.se/wp-content/uploads/seb-ravaror-800x471.png)
Market focuses on China weakness and more supply from OPEC+ while the sound of Israeli rockets in Lebanon one weak ago are fading. Following a high of USD 80.53/b on Monday last week (following Lebanon – Israel rocket exchange on Sunday 25 Aug.) the Brent November contract traded downhill and ended the week at USD 76.93/b. On a Friday to Friday basis however, the November contract was down by only 1.6%. So not at all a total route. This morning the Brent Nov. contract is down 0.7% at USD 76.4/b on combined concerns for the Chinese economy and increasing signs that OPEC+ will indeed lift production in Q4-24 as earlier signaled. The current disturbances in Libya’s oil production could provide room for added supply from OPEC+. But fluctuations in Libya’s oil production has become quite normal over the latest years and any outages will probably be short lived. And to what we can understand from the news flow there has been given signals for restart of production already.
![Bjarne Schieldrop, Chief analyst commodities, SEB](https://ravarumarknaden.se/wp-content/uploads/bjarne-schieldrop-seb.jpg)
Softer towards the end of the year? The Brent crude oil price has a historical tendency for weakness in the latter part of the year. With continued deterioration in China and added barrels from OPEC+ in Q4-24 this could very well be the case also this year.
Brent will likely move over a wider range with softer market control by OPEC+. OPEC+ looks set to move to a softer price control regime. Shifting from a strict ”price” focus regime to some kind of hybrid ”price/volume” market control. This should allow the Brent crude oil price to fluctuate more. The difference between the highest and the lowest Brent crude oil price over the past 400 days is only USD 27.6/b. The median since 2009 is USD 50/b.
Bearish concerns for the future. But market looks tight here and now and Mid-East is very unstable. Lots of bearish talk and concerns, but physical signals are still tight. US oil inventories have been falling steadily and counter seasonally over the past 6 weeks and floating global crude stocks have fallen sharply and by more than 50 m barrels since a peak in June. Combine this with the very unstable situation in the Middle East and it is not so easy to sit with large short positions in oil.
The Brent crude November contract in USD/b
52 week ranking of Net long specs in Brent + WTI and ranking of Brent crude curve backwardation
Net long spec for Brent + WTI in million barrels
Historical average Brent crude oil prices per month since 2008 in nominal USD/b
Brent crude 400 day rolling High-Low price spread in USD/b difference
Total US commercial crude and product stocks in million barrels
Global, floating crude oil stocks in million barrels.
Analys
Fear of coming weakness trumps current tightness
![SEB - analysbrev på råvaror](https://ravarumarknaden.se/wp-content/uploads/seb-ravaror-800x471.png)
Brent crude has continued its decline from earlier this week, dropping USD 2 per barrel since yesterday’s high in the afternoon, a decline of approximately 2.6%. It is currently trading at USD 75.9 per barrel, nearing its lowest level since early August and approaching the yearly low of USD 74.8 per barrel from early January.
Looking ahead, despite a bullish U.S. inventory report (detailed below), the fear of future weakness is overshadowing this positive news.
As highlighted in Tuesday’s crude oil comment, at the top of our “worry list” is the deteriorating economic outlook in China, which is worsening more rapidly than previously anticipated. Recent data from July indicates that bank loans to the real economy contracted for the first time in 19 years. Despite lower interest rates, corporations are not borrowing due to a loss of confidence. Fewer loans equate to reduced economic activity, which is evident in the decline in factory output. This situation intensifies concerns about Chinese oil demand, as the market increasingly believes that the weakness in Chinese oil imports may not be a temporary blip but a more sustained issue.
Additionally, yesterday’s sharp crude sell-off was influenced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) adjustment, which revealed 818,000 fewer jobs than expected—the largest downward revision since 2009. While the Fed’s July meeting minutes had already reflected doubts about previous job data, making the revision less surprising, it nonetheless reinforces the view that the labor market is cooling, strengthening the case for a potential rate cut in September.
It is also worth noting that when crude oil prices were at current levels earlier in the year, the ’dated to front’ line was negative, whereas it is now positive. This shift suggests a fairly tight physical market, further evidenced by continuous inventory drawdowns.
U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excl. SPR) dropped by 4.6 million barrels, bringing the total to 426 million barrels, which is approximately 5% below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline inventories fell by 1.6 million barrels and are 3% below the five-year average. Distillate (diesel) inventories also saw a drawdown of 3.3 million barrels, leaving them 10% below the five-year average. Overall, total commercial petroleum inventories declined by 5.9 million barrels last week—a clear indication of current market tightness.
Looking ahead to other potential weaknesses, the normalization of refinery margins suggests significantly less demand from refineries compared to the very strong margins seen in 2022, most of 2023, and the beginning of 2024. Consequently, we can expect reduced crude demand for refining in the future, reinforcing the expectation of “coming weaknesses.” Against this backdrop, a retest of the yearly low remains a possibility.
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