Midwest propane retailers face trying times
March 2, 2021 By Mark Rachal
The Midwest has been oversupplied and low-valued long enough that it lacks investment to meet needs in high-demand periods, says Mark Rachal.
Read More Decreasing crude supply may hinder propane supply
February 23, 2021 By Mark Rachal
Despite the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. demand for petroleum products is recovering. Supply, however, is not.
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February brings arctic air and red-hot propane demand
February 16, 2021 By Mark Rachal
U.S. domestic demand for propane increased a whopping 714,000 barrels per day (bpd) during the fifth week of the year to 2.204 million bpd.
Read More Buying propane for winter 2021-22 might be a good value
February 9, 2021 By Mark Rachal
If we can pluck good news from propane prices, it would be that next winter’s prices are much lower than the current prices.
Read More Low inventory relative to demand places upward pressure on prices
February 2, 2021 By Mark Rachal
Days of supply measures available inventory to demand. As long as days of supply are trending lower, prices are certainly going to feel upward pressure.
Read More Demand, inventory fluctuations lead to big price swing
January 26, 2021 By Mark Rachal
Since last week’s Trader’s Corner, there was a dramatic change in U.S. propane prices. The change began after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
Read More Protecting margins when propane prices rise rapidly
January 20, 2021 By Mark Rachal
The quick gains in propane prices like those experienced this past week can have an immediate impact on a retail company’s bottom line.
Read More Fundamentals point to higher propane prices this winter
January 12, 2021 By Mark Rachal
As long as export demand remains strong, there is likely to be continued pressure on inventory and thus support for propane prices.
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Retail propane faces competition from export market
December 7, 2020 By Brian Richesson
The retail propane community was once a prominent component of the overall domestic demand picture, but the shale boom created other demand options.
Read More Mark Rachal provides winter heating season insights
December 1, 2020 By LP Gas
Hear from Mark Rachal, director of research and publications at Cost Management Solutions, about his expectations for the winter heating season and his advice for retailers.
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