SINGAPORE: Naphtha's prompt October East-West (EW) spread, the differential between Asian and European prices, fell to a near six-month low on Friday as Asian supplies shrank due to strong gasoline demand in Europe.
The recent strength in gasoline prices in the West prompted the diversion of naphtha towards gasoline blending, leaving fewer cargoes for export towards Asia.
Naphtha can be reformed into gasoline.
Fuel oil's inter-month premiums were largely steady. Physical supply was seen ample on expectations for heavy arbitrage flow in October.
Gasoil timespreads were mostly firmer through the 12-month forward curve on strong physical demand.
Fixed-price swaps for all products were higher. Front-month Brent futures had dropped 62 cents to $111.96 per barrel by 0423 GMT, poised to end the week little changed.
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