Daily Market Report

Oil prices fell nearly 5% to $65.72/bbl following the Iran-Israel ceasefire, relieving pressure on Indian refiners but straining upstream firms like ONGC and Oil India. Domestic petroleum prices remained steady. Refining margins improved due to lower input costs, but global demand hesitancy and high inventories continue to weigh on market sentiment.

Steel prices have declined across North, West, and South India, with Ex-Mumbai, Delhi NCR, and Vizag quoting lower rates amid sluggish demand. Distributors are maintaining ample inventories, ensuring smooth availability. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Steel’s abrupt BIS compliance order on inputs threatens disruption, especially for MSMEs and steel importers.

Steel prices across both primary and secondary markets have softened, with secondary mills witnessing deeper cuts due to payment delays, stock overhang, and weak consumption. Monsoon-driven yard clearance and muted institutional buying post-election have added pressure. Mills are deploying discounts and deferred payment terms to manage liquidity and sustain dispatch volumes.

Toluene prices rose by ₹3/kg across India, fueled by tight import supply and uncertainty around July shipments. Importers are withholding fresh offers, leading to panic buying in the spot market. Despite a price rally, downstream demand outside pharmaceuticals remains weak. Margins for refiners are under pressure as BTX spreads shrink.

Importers have lowered Acetonitrile prices by ₹5/kg this week, bringing bulk offers down to ₹100/kg Ex-Mumbai on 60 days payment terms. Traders' spot offers currently stand at ₹101/kg Ex-Kandla, also on 60 days credit terms.

Ethyl Acetate prices have surged by ₹3–4/kg across major producers due to tight raw material availability, geopolitical tensions, and rising freight costs. Output reductions and cautious supplier behavior have fueled bullish sentiment. With downstream demand firming up, prices are expected to remain volatile through June and may breach ₹75/kg.

Stainless steel prices in India remain stable to firm, with 200 series showing strong domestic demand due to limited imports. 304 and 316L grades are stable, while scrap prices stay elevated. Stainless steel consumption in India has grown 84% over five years, driven by infrastructure and transport sectors, with further growth expected.

India’s PVC market is expanding, driven by infrastructure and agriculture growth. With imports filling the supply gap, low-cost Chinese PVC—often non-compliant with BIS norms—is raising serious safety and quality concerns. Despite robust demand, weak QCO enforcement continues to challenge domestic manufacturers striving for regulatory compliance and long-term market sustainability.

Petroleum product prices in India remain steady amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. While supply is currently uninterrupted, the threat of a Strait of Hormuz blockade is prompting India to prepare contingency plans, including export curbs. Strategic reserves and sourcing diversification may shield domestic markets from immediate disruption, but global pricing remains volatile.

Primary TMT prices fell again across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Vizag due to sustained weak demand. Sellers continue cutting prices to stay competitive, while distributors maintain sufficient stock to avoid supply issues. Experts warn of further price corrections if demand doesn’t rebound soon, despite supply-side stability and strategic production cuts by manufacturers.

Importers have raised Toluene prices by ₹1/kg, with bulk deals now quoted at ₹68.50++ Ex-Mumbai and ₹68.00++ Ex-Kandla on 60 days credit terms. Traders' spot offers are even firmer, ranging between ₹70-71++ Ex-Mumbai and Ex-Kandla on similar terms. Toluene prices have surged nearly ₹4.5/kg on a week-on-week basis, primarily driven by the sharp rally in crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel.

Week-on-week, methanol prices have risen by ₹6/kg—triggered primarily by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. On June 14, 2025, Iran’s South Pars gas field in Kangan (Bushehr province) was reportedly struck by an Israeli drone. The attack has severely disrupted Iranian methanol shipments and raised alarms across global petrochemical markets.