Brent crude oil prices rose USD 5.8/bbl vs. the previous month, on the fear of a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite rising crude prices, a strong diesel crack means that the WOOD benchmark also improved, to USD 13.0/bbl, the highest level since March 2024. Petrochemicals margins were lower, but not affected by the high oil prices, as may have been expected.
Brent crude prices continued to decline in May, but trends within the month suggest that we may have hit the bottom. The WOOD benchmark refining margin strengthened again, to USD 11.5/bbl, with all product groups and differentials playing their part. Petrochemicals remained in the doldrums, despite lower input costs. The gas market appears to be stable, but prices are sticky. Storage rose to 48% full at the end of the month, similar to the seasonal average. LNG imports declined a little, but cum...
EME Equity Market – May 2025 EME indices mostly in the green in May, apart from Türkiye. The MSCI EM Europe Index added 3.6% mom in EUR and USD terms. The Greek ASE index (+7.8% mom) was the best performer, followed by the Czech PX (+6.6% mom) and Romanian BET indices (+5.0% mom), the Hungarian BUX (+4.0% mom) and the Polish WIG20 (+2.0% mom; all in EUR terms). The Turkish ISE30 Index was, again, the worst performer, with a more modest decline (-1.4% mom in EUR terms) this time.
HEADLINES: • VIGO Photonics: top Polish defence industry exposure (downgraded to HOLD) • PGE: strong 1Q25 recurring EBITDA, 26% above our expectations POSITIVE • 11 bit studios: weak 1Q25, misses our forecast, on higher opex NEGATIVE • Dino: 2-7% EBITDA beats in 1Q25 NEUTRAL • Krka: 1Q25 – record net profit, on high FX revaluation gains POSITIVE • GEVORKYAN: strong 1Q25 - EBITDA 15% above our expectations, but 2025E guidance implies an EBITDA margin contraction POSITIVE • HELLENiQ Energy: 1Q25 r...
HEADLINES: • Optima Bank: a touch of Midas, none of Icarus (BUY - initiation of coverage) • PKO BP: solid 1Q25 results, in line with expectations NEUTRAL • Sok Marketler Ticaret: 1Q25 results – significant miss NEGATIVE • Richter: 1Q25 results in line NEUTRAL • Arabian Drilling: 1Q25 results NEUTRAL • Tauron: 1Q25 preliminary EBITDA 16% above our expectations POSITIVE • Kaspi.kz: 1Q25 highlights; 2025E guidance revised down NEGATIVE • Bank of Cyprus: 1Q25 results highlights • Zabka (NOT RATED): ...
Brent crude prices swooned in April: the combined impact of demand worries and projected supply increases pulling average prices down USD 5/bbl, to the lowest monthly average in more than three years. We question the sustainability of such low prices, given the market reactions in the past. The WOOD benchmark strengthened in April, due mainly to better petrol cracks, as we move towards driving season. Petrochemicals remain in the doldrums, despite lower input costs.
Average Brent crude oil prices were down by USD 3.5/bbl in March vs. the previous month, and OPEC+ promised to mitigate increased supply with compensatory cuts from countries above quota. The WOOD benchmark was down USD 4.0/bbl, to USD 8.0/bbl, the lowest margin since September 2024. Only fuel oil cracks improved, while crude differentials worsened. Petrochemicals continue to disappoint.
Average Brent crude oil prices were down USD 3.4/bbl in February, vs. the previous month, and OPEC+ promised to increase supply. The WOOD benchmark margin was up USD 2.4/bbl to USD 12.0/bbl, its widest level since April 2024. All product cracks improved, but this may be just maintenance. Petrochemicals continue to disappoint.
EME Equity Market – February 2025 Poland outperforms, again; Türkiye declines. The MSCI EM Europe Index advanced by 3.1% in EUR terms and 2.9% mom in USD terms in February. The Polish WIG20 was, once again, the best performer, adding 7.3% mom in February; followed by the Czech PX Index (+6.1% mom); while Greece (+3.8% mom), Hungary (+3.5% mom) and Romania (+3.0% mom) all reported rather similar performances. The Turkish ISE30 was the worst performer, declining 4.5% mom.
HEADLINES: • Kruk: detailed 4Q24 results, revealing headwinds in Spain NEGATIVE • Erste Bank: small miss on 4Q24 results, but promises strong ROTE outlook for 2025E and adds another round of share buyback potential NEUTRAL • Richter: soft 4Q24 operating results NEGATIVE • Sphera Group: 4Q24 soft, as expected NEGATIVE • Aquila Part Prod Com S.A.: earnings a small beat, bottom line boosted by negative goodwill and low tax rate POSITIVE • Romgaz: 4Q24 results NEUTRAL • DIGI Communications: 4Q24 pre...
HEADLINES: • Komercni Banka: surprises on the upside with 2024 delivery; guiding for 100% dividend payout ratio also for 2025E POSITIVE • ING BSK: solid 4Q24, but beat driven by low LLPs, while core revenues miss expectations; guiding for a solid DPS NEUTRAL • mBank: 2024 results; guiding for 2025E to be the last year with a material impact from the FX mortgage saga NEUTRAL • BRD-GSG: strong 4Q24 delivery beats expectations POSITIVE • Poland macro: NBP on hold • Bank Handlowy: makes another impa...
Average Brent crude oil prices were up by USD 5.2/bbl vs. the previous month and exceeded USD 80/bbl at times. However, prices ended close to where they started. The WOOD benchmark margin was flat mom and remains above the average. Middle distillate strength remains the most important factor. Petrochemicals margins are still weak, although olefin margins were a little better.
This weekend (1-2 February), the US government may impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods entering the US. It may seem of little consequence from our perspective, but we believe that it could have a significant impact on the global oil and refining markets. Canada produces 5m barrels of oil per day and exports 80% to the US. About 25% of all crude oil processed in the US is from Canada. The trade was worth approximately USD 100bn in 2024. The oil is too heavy for most global refineries and the...
Average crude oil prices changed little in December, after production increases and perceived weakness in demand pushed prices down in November. The WOOD benchmark margin remains above average, despite reaching its lowest level in 2024, after declining by USD 0.7/bbl. Petrochemicals remains in the doldrums, with some product groups marginally better and others marginally worse.
EME Equity Market – December 2024 A green December. The MSCI EM Europe Index advanced 2.9% in EUR terms and 0.8% in USD terms in December. The Greek ASE Index (+5.5% mom in EUR terms) was the best performer, followed closely by the Czech PX Index (+5.0% mom in EUR terms). Solid performances were also reported by the BET (+2.4% mom), BUX (+2.2% mom) and ISE 30 (+1.5% mom) indices (all in EUR terms). The Polish WIG 20 Index (+0.4% mom in EUR terms) reported a muted performance.
HEADLINES: • Kety: key takeaways from the FY25E guidance conference call NEUTRAL • Public Power Corporation: parliament may table draft bill to repay municipal power bills POSITIVE • HELLENiQ Energy: agrees to sell Depa Commercial to the Greek State for EUR 0.2bn POSITIVE • GEK Terna: Terna Energy – Masdar files for public offer to take out the minorities POSITIVE • Short News (PEO)
Perceived weakness in demand brought oil prices lower in November and threatens to push them lower still. OPEC freezing production for another three months may not be enough. For the second month running, the WOOD benchmark margin was close to average, while HELLENiQ’s margins rose and Orlen’s fell. Petrochemicals remains in the doldrums, despite lower oil prices.
EME Equity Market – November 2024 Rebound in Türkiye, Romania hammered. The MSCI EM Europe Index advanced 3.8% in EUR terms and 1.0% in USD terms in November. The Turkish ISE30 recouped the losses of the previous month, adding 10.4% mom in EUR terms. The Hungarian BUX added 4.3% mom in EUR terms, followed by the PX (+2.9% mom), the ASE (+0.8% mom) and the WIG (+0.8% mom) (all in EUR terms). Following the first round of presidential elections, and the polemic and uncertainty that ensued, the BET ...
HEADLINES: • BIM: weak operating results in 3Q24 NEGATIVE • CEZ: 3Q24 bottom-line miss due to accounting changes; EBITDA guidance raised by 7% POSITIVE • Pegasus Airlines: 3Q24 – 22% higher caskx alleviated by 4% higher RASK and 12% lower fuel cask (in line with the consensus) • Richter: 3Q24 operating results in line NEUTRAL • Auto Partner: preliminary 3Q24 EBIT falls 22% yoy, 9-12% below our expectations and the market NEGATIVE • Auto Partner: October sales growth at 13% yoy, broadly as expect...
The underlying weakness in oil demand has not disappeared, but fears of a conflict escalation early in October drove oil prices above USD 80/bbl. As the fears receded, so did prices. The WOOD benchmark margin returned to above-average levels, boosted by better differentials. Higher oil prices squeezed petrochemicals margins, although methanol remained stable.
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