- Limited discussions heard amid waning buying sentiments- Volatile upstream markets;
unhealthy margins in downstream markets





The Asian ethylene prices were steady at
$920/mt CFR Northeast Asia and $950/mt CFR Southeast Asia on April 24, as the market
remained quiet. Market sentiments have remained bearish, supported by a
deal heard at $920/mt CFR Northeast Asia April 19, which was $20/mt
below price indications heard the previous day. Some market participants expect this situation to persist as demand
remains stale due to unhealthy margins in downstream markets. "The market is
very bearish right now, as margins in downstream markets still remain poor. Furthermore,
naphtha prices decreased last week," a buyer in Northeast Asia said. "I
think that bearish market sentiments will likely remain for a while. " In
the upstream markets, the benchmark C+F Japan naphtha marker was assessed up
$3.875/mt at $664.25/mt at...