U.S. refiner margins hit record highs as fuel shortage fears mount

CommodityGeopoliticsMacro Impact 4
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Summary · why it matters

U.S. refiner margins shattered records this week as low stockpiles and supply disruptions from escalating U.S.-Iran attacks threaten fuel shortfalls. The 3-2-1 crack spread, a key profitability benchmark, settled at a record $69.66 per barrel on Nymex Thursday. Diesel has been the main driver, with disruptions to Middle Eastern exports and a temporary Russian export ban tightening an already-strained market, while gasoline supplies are also a growing concern as refiners shift yields toward diesel and jet fuel. U.S. diesel inventories are down nearly 11 million barrels and gasoline inventories down more than 42 million barrels from pre-war levels, and both are well below their five-year seasonal averages. National average retail gasoline prices reached $3.99 per gallon on Saturday, up nearly $0.84 from a year ago, and analysts warn that depleted inventories and damaged Middle East refineries will keep prices elevated, benefiting refiners whose shares have surged this year.

Impact on stocks 7

Synthetic Biology (non-pharma) · 4 stocks
HF Sinclair Corp
DINO
▲ PositiveSupplyrelevance

Record-high crack spreads and fuel shortage fears boost refiner margins.

Phillips 66
PSX
▲ PositiveSupplyrelevance

Record-high crack spreads and fuel shortage fears from supply disruptions and low inventories boost refiner margins.

Valero Energy Corporation
VLO
▲ PositiveSupplyrelevance

Record-high crack spreads and fuel shortage fears from supply disruptions and low inventories boost refiner margins.

Energy · 3 stocks
Delek US Energy Inc
DK
▲ PositiveSupplyrelevance

Record-high crack spreads and fuel shortage fears boost refiner margins.

PBF Energy Inc
PBF
▲ PositiveSupplyrelevance

Record-high crack spreads and fuel shortage fears boost refiner margins.

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