CRUDE EXPORTS SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
Asia fuel oil benchmarks slump as market prices in potential Iran war de-escalation
Asian fuel oil benchmark prices underwent a steep decline this week, driven by expectations of heightened supplies from the Middle East. The shifting political landscape in the US Congress has ignited hopes for peace talks in the region. Simultaneously, enhanced supply conditions, particularly from UAE fuel oil exports, have emerged. While freight rates have shown some easing, they still exert pressure on cargo movements from Europe to Asia.
Middle East crude oil premiums tumble to pre-war levels amid ample supply
Middle Eastern crude exports have increased in September and October, leading to declining spot premiums. Dubai's cash premium to swaps fell to 65 cents a barrel before recovering slightly. Murban crude exports reached a record of 2.4 million barrels per day in September. Asian refiners have shown reduced purchasing interest due to cooling refining margins. Competition with West African crude is intensifying as sellers offer steeper discounts to attract buyers.
FIIs pour Rs 15,000 crore into Indian stocks in biggest single day buying over a year
Foreign institutional investors invested Rs 14,975 crore in Indian equities on Thursday, marking their biggest single-day purchase in over a year. The buying spree boosted market sentiment, sending the Nifty up 2.4% amid easing crude prices and improving global cues.
Rising oil prices cap India bond rally; traders cash in gains
Indian government bonds saw a rise as traders reacted to a US Treasury rally and falling crude prices. The benchmark 6.94% 2036 bond yield declined by nearly 2 basis points after intraday fluctuations. Oil prices rebounded after initially falling, causing traders to lock in profits. Attention will turn to upcoming inflation data, with expectations for an increase in October.
Hong Kong stocks jump 3%, China shares edge higher as tech stocks rally
Hong Kong stocks rallied sharply, led by technology and gold shares, as investors welcomed the US midterm election outcome. Alibaba and Tencent drove gains, while mainland Chinese equities advanced modestly. Energy stocks tumbled as crude oil prices plunged on hopes of easing geopolitical tensions.
US midterm outcome offers limited relief to India; oil, Russia sanctions remain key risks: Report
The outcome of the US midterm elections is expected to offer only marginal relief to India. Crude oil prices and potential tariffs on Russian oil purchases will continue to present economic challenges. While a Democratic majority may enhance diplomatic engagement, immediate trade relief seems unlikely. The rupee and foreign portfolio investor inflows could see some positive impact.
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Brent crude oil price falls below $100 a barrel on hopes of Iran peace deal following Democrats' midterm victory
Crude oil prices experienced a significant decline, with Brent prices falling below $100 per barrel. The decline was influenced by hopes for a peace deal in the Iran war after Democratic victories. Discussions about a possible agreement have prompted Qatar to increase its mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran. Despite the optimism, Iranian officials suggest that an agreement is still far from being reached.

New orders & robust demand lift India's October services growth to 4-month high
Growth in India's services sector increased to a four-month high in October due to strong domestic demand and business orders. The HSBC Services Business Activity Index rose to 55.8, reflecting improved business conditions. Conversely, manufacturing activity showed a slight decline, easing to a PMI of 54.7. While input prices continued to rise, the rate of increase was the slowest in over six years.

US trade deficit contracts slightly in September
In September, the US trade deficit decreased by 0.6 percent, driven by capital goods imports and strong exports. Imports rose by 1.2 percent to $426.6 billion, primarily fueled by computers and accessories. Additionally, crude oil imports saw a reduction of $1.3 billion during this period. On the other hand, exports climbed by 1.8 percent, reaching $321.5 billion due to oil, food, and capital goods.

MRPL boosts delivered oil buying as Iran war raises shipping risks
Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd plans to increase crude oil purchases on a delivered basis. This strategy aims to reduce shipping risks related to the ongoing Iran war. The company is also looking to diversify its crude sourcing to maintain full refinery capacity. CFO Devendra Kumar expressed hope for annual supply deals with Middle Eastern oil producers. Additionally, MRPL's fuel exports may decline as local consumption is projected to rise.

China Services PMI slows to three-month low; what lies ahead for Chinese stocks?
China’s services sector expanded at its slowest pace in three months as rising costs and intense competition squeezed margins. The weaker PMI and declining business confidence may weigh on Chinese equities, although sustained growth in export orders offers some support.

India's services growth accelerates to 55.8 in October, cost pressures ease to six-year low
India's services sector activity expanded at its fastest pace in four months in October, with the HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 55.8 from 55.2 in September, while input cost inflation eased to its lowest level in more than six years, according to data released by S&P Global on Wednesday.

India's palm oil imports hit 14-month high, soyoil purchases set record
In October, India experienced a surge in palm oil imports to 866,000 metric tons. Soyoil imports reached a record high of 653,000 tons, reflecting increased demand. The overall edible oil imports rose by 13%, reaching 1.74 million tons during the festive season. This demand is driven by concerns about limited domestic supplies and El Nino-related crop damage.

Indian oil refiners expect healthy margins amid global supply disruptions
A combination of these factors offer Indian refiners an opportunity to capitalise on stronger diesel, gasoline and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) cracks. Reliance Industries (RIL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) reported record refining performances in the September quarter (Q2) and expect the run to continue.

India weighs new oil manoeuvre as old routes get jammed
The West Asia war has forced India to look at energy security through a new, different lens. The oil issue, for India, has now gone from being a procurement issue to being a test of economic resilience. That has compelled the govt to rethink how it sources, transports and stores the fuel that powers its economy.

Saudi Aramco Q3 profit jumps 34.5% to $36.25 billion despite ongoing US-Iran conflict
Saudi Aramco reported a 34.5% year-on-year rise in third-quarter net profit to $36.25 billion, beating analyst estimates. Higher oil prices and the exit from a joint venture supported earnings, helping offset production disruptions and security risks amid the US-Iran conflict.

ETMarkets Smart Talk | Gold for ballast, silver for growth; avoid industrial commodities in core portfolios: Saish Sawant
In this edition of ETMarkets Smart Talk, Saish Sawant, Research Analyst–Commodities at Emkay Global Financial Services, breaks down the contrasting moves across gold, crude and copper.

Manufacturing activity eases in Oct as new order growth drops
Manufacturing activity in India experienced a slowdown in October, decreasing from the previous month's growth. Despite this, the sector remained above its long-run average due to stronger international demand. A survey indicated that nearly 18% of manufacturers anticipated increased output over the next year, supported by fresh client inquiries.

India factory growth slows in October, export orders jump, PMI shows
India's manufacturing growth slowed in October, with the HSBC Manufacturing PMI falling to 54.7 from 55.1 in September, as domestic demand and hiring weakened. However, export orders rose at their fastest pace in six months, providing some support to factory activity.

Oil Price Today (November 2): Crude oil falls to $111 as Iran-Qatar talks continue to end war. What are experts saying?
Crude oil price : Oil prices have plummeted dramatically, impacting Brent and WTI crude significantly. As Iranian and Qatari officials engage in talks to mitigate tensions from the US-Israeli conflict regarding Iran, the situation is further aggravated by security threats and oil tanker assaults in the Strait of Hormuz. Experts warn of ongoing price instability post-US midterm elections, creating an unpredictable environment for global energy supply chains and market responses.

Oil slips more than 1% as talks continue on ending Iran war
Oil prices witnessed a decline of more than 1% as Iranian and Qatari diplomats engaged in discussions regarding the US-Israeli conflict. Brent crude futures fell to $111.84 per barrel, alongside a drop in US West Texas Intermediate crude. Analysts express optimism about potential advancements in these negotiations, which have eased short-term pricing worries.

Reliance Industries eyes growth boost from O2C, retail and Jio businesses
Reliance Industries has reported a significant growth in revenue and profits for the September quarter. The oil-to-chemicals segment has led this growth while retail segment profitability faced pressures from digital commerce investments. Jio Platforms also reported double digit revenue and profit growth, aided by increased average revenue per user and subscriber additions. Rising inflation and a shift in festive demand to the December quarter may impact future retail earnings.

IOC, BPCL, HPCL clock Rs 30,106 cr Q2 profit, nearly 39 pc of last year's annual earnings
In the third quarter, spanning July to September, India's three major state-run fuel retailers announced a combined net profit of Rs 30,106 crore, reversing a previous loss of Rs 18,150 crore. This profitability surge defied the ongoing freeze on petrol and diesel prices since May. Indian Oil Corporation achieved its highest standalone quarterly net profit, buoyed by strong refining margins, yet faces ongoing challenges related to fuel under-recoveries.

FPIs pull out Rs 34,843 cr from equities in Oct; turn net buyers last week
Amidst rising economic fears, foreign portfolio investors withdrew Rs 34,843 crore from Indian equities in October. Although they had made significant contributions in July and August, outflows continued through September. By late October, a turnaround occurred as foreign investors became net buyers, infusing approximately Rs 6,300 crore into the market. Support from domestic institutional investors provided much-needed stability as all eyes turn to potential global impacts on investor sentiment.

Commercial LPG price hiked by Rs 10; ATF rates up Rs 1.37 per litre from November 1
From November 1, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder increased by Rs 10 to Rs 2,820. Aviation turbine fuel prices have also risen by Rs 1.37 per litre to Rs 138.50. These increases represent the fourth consecutive monthly rise in jet fuel prices, driven by international benchmarks. Commercial LPG price revisions impact hotels and restaurants, following a series of hikes earlier this year.

Reliance Industries expands fuel exports to Africa, Europe as West Asia conflict disrupts supplies
Reliance Industries has redirected fuel exports to Africa, the Mediterranean and other European markets to capitalise on supply disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict, lifting its market share in these regions by about 50%. The strategy helped drive record quarterly earnings for its oil-to-chemicals business as global refining margins surged.

Government scraps export duty on petrol, raises levies on diesel and ATF
The Indian government has abolished the special additional excise duty on petrol exports as of now. Diesel export levies have been raised to Rs 11.50 per litre from Rs 8.50 per litre. The export duty on aviation turbine fuel has also increased by 50 paise per litre. These adjustments reflect ongoing pressures from international energy market disruptions linked to geopolitical events.

Reliance looks to Latin America, North America and the Mediterranean as Middle East oil disruptions put supply chains under pressure
In response to global energy market turmoil, Reliance Industries revamped its crude oil sourcing strategy for the July-September quarter. The company pivoted its petroleum exports to international markets, optimizing profitability. With the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi Arabia's pipeline creating hurdles, Reliance sought crude oil from Latin America and North America.
India needs to build up shipping capacity to cash in on cheap crude, IOC chairman says
India is facing challenges in effectively utilising discounted crude oil due to inadequte shipping capabilities. The chairman of Indian Oil Corporation highlighted the increasing freight costs as a significant obstacle to profits. He stressed the importance of investing in shipping and building storage for crude and liquefied petroleum gas. Higher freight rates for Russian oil exports have led to difficulties for Indian refirners.
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