Price Trends

On August 18, 2026, the phenol market experienced weak and volatile trading conditions, with prices hovering in the median range of the one-year cycle. Major producers have lowered their factory prices multiple times, while downstream buyers remain cautious due to insufficient raw material support. Short-term signals point to a weak rebound (leaning bearish). Both Lihua Yiyuan Chemical and Shandong Fuyu Petrochemical have reduced their phenol factory prices by 50 CNY per ton.

• Phenol market
• price decrease
• weak rebound
• supply and demand changes

On August 17, 2026, the methanol market price clearly increased, with the 5-day, 10-day, and 20-day moving averages all positive. Multiple companies in China raised their quotations, and some plant maintenance led to a reduction in supply. The increase in foreign market prices and the expectation of tighter international supply supported the price increase. In the short term, the price is at a medium-high level, with limited room for further increases.

• Methanol market conditions: prices rising
• supply tightening
• expectations of a tighter international supply.

As of August 16, 2026, the Chinese fuel oil 180CST market showed a slight increase, remaining in the high range for both the annual cycle and the short-term period, with signals indicating a strong consolidation bias. Although the short term is mainly characterized by volatility, the bullish forces are dominant. It is necessary to be cautious of the upward pressure and the risk of a pullback brought about by the high position.

• Fuel Oil 180CST
• Oscillating with a bullish bias
• Market Analysis
• Average Spread Indicator

On August 17, 2026, the MTBE market showed a bearish consolidation. In Shandong, China, prices were mixed, with the external market showing divergent trends and no clear unilateral drivers on the supply and demand side. The spread combination indicated a stagnation warning, with prices in a bearish fluctuation. The space for significant short-term price increases or decreases is limited.

• MTBE market
• bearish consolidation
• fluctuating trend
• stagnation warning

On August 17, 2026, EVA prices remained stable, with the mean difference indicator showing a volatile pattern. In the short term, downside room is limited, while upside potential is also constrained. The EVA market in Shanghai showed overall stability with minor fluctuations, while the Beijing region saw prices consolidate at higher levels. Overall, prices are in a volatile state, and it’s crucial to closely monitor upstream and downstream demand as well as market transaction conditions.

• EVA market trend
• price fluctuation
• average difference index
• market transaction situation

On August 17, 2026, the lithium carbonate market showed strong consolidation. The 5-day, 10-day, and 20-day moving averages differed by -1,400.00, +300.00, and +850.00 respectively, indicating a volatile trend. Prices have remained at a medium-to-high level over the past year, with limited room for further increases; however, there is support at both the 60-day and 3-month timeframes.

• Lithium carbonate
• market analysis
• price forecast
• volatile trend

On August 16, 2026, hydrofluoric acid prices experienced overall volatility, showing a short-term bearish correction trend. The 5-day and 10-day moving averages remained flat, while the 20-day moving average declined, failing to establish a clear upward or downward trend. Currently, prices are at highs for the one-year, three-month, and sixty-day cycles, leaving limited room for further gains and creating significant downward pressure in the short term.

• Hydrofluoric acid market conditions: volatile trend
• downward correction pressure
• high-end range

On August 17, 2026, the DOP market in China is in a strong consolidation phase with a bullish bias The 5-day moving average difference has narrowed, while the 10-day and 20-day moving average differences have widened, indicating a volatile but slightly bullish price trend The 60-day cycle shows high prices, suggesting limited short-term upside potential; the 3-month and 1-year cycles are at moderate price levels

• DOP market conditions: strong consolidation
• price fluctuations
• upstream and downstream dynamics influencing the market

On August 17, 2026, the daily average price of toluene edged slightly higher to 6,74333 CNY/ton, entering a volatile range characterized by a deep correction and bearish sentiment In the short term, prices are expected to consolidate within a narrow range; attention should be paid to geopolitical developments in the Middle East and trends in aromatics markets overseas

• Toluene market
• fluctuating state
• average difference analysis
• market fundamentals

Recently, the phthalic anhydride market prices in China have risen slightly Manufacturers such as Changzhou Xinyang and Tongling Chemicals are operating at low capacity or are resuming production, with low inventory levels supporting prices Current prices are in the high range of a one-year cycle, with limited room for further increases

• Phthalic Anhydride Market
• Price Trends
• Chemical Industry
• Market Analysis

On August 17, 2026, the market for octanol showed a deep correction with bearish signals. The mean deviation indicator has diverged, and the one-year price cycle is at a medium-to-high level with limited room for further increases. It is crucial to monitor how changes in upstream propylene supply and downstream demand will affect prices. Currently, the combination of mean deviation direction changes is (–, –, +), indicating a volatile trend that leans bearish.

• Xinol market conditions
• deep pullback
• bearish signals
• changes in the mean difference indicator

On August 17, 2026, the n-butanol market exhibited a volatile yet predominantly bullish consolidation pattern. The market price fluctuations showed some degree of support, and overall prices remained relatively high. The tug-of-war between supply and demand intensified, but the market leaned more toward a seller's market.

• n-Butanol
• Market Analysis
• Market Dynamics
• Volatile Consolidation

On August 17, 2026, the price of ethyl acetate remained stable at 6162.50 CNY/ton, with a stronger market performance in North China. The average difference indicator shows a fluctuating trend, with limited upside potential at the 60-day high and limited downside potential at the 3-month and 1-year lows. Attention should be paid to changes in upstream and downstream demand.

• Ethyl acetate
• volatile market conditions
• price trends
• industrial chain reference

On August 16, 2026, the melamine market in China showed a weak rebound, with the 5-day moving average difference increasing while the 10-day and 20-day moving average differences decreased. The overall trend was volatile, with the low price level over a one-year cycle limiting the downward space, but the high position in the 60-day cycle restricting short-term upward potential.

• Melamine
• Market Analysis
• Weak Rebound
• Volatile Trading Conditions

On August 17, gasoline prices showed a volatile pattern, with limited room for further upward movement in the short term as they remain within a high-range The mean difference indicator points to a weak rebound and suggests a bearish signal China has lowered its retail price caps for gasoline and diesel, while international crude oil prices have been fluctuating OPEC has also revised down its demand forecast Meanwhile, US

• Gasoline prices
• volatile trading
• international crude oil
• supply-and-demand changes

As of August 16, 2026, the prices of petcoke in China showed mixed trends, with the difference indicators showing more signals of resistance to decline. The prices are at a high level for the 60-day and 3-month cycles, and in the mid-high range for the 1-year cycle, indicating strong short-term resistance to decline but limited room for further increase. The market trend is oscillating (with a bullish bias).

• Petroleum coke market
• price fluctuations
• anti-decline alert
• peak of the cycle

Recent international crude oil price fluctuations have led to volatility in China's diesel spot prices, which are currently in the mid-to-high range of the annual cycle. Current indicators show a bearish signal for stagnation, suggesting that diesel prices will maintain a volatile trend with limited upside potential. Attention should be paid to subsequent crude oil trends and market reactions.

• Diesel Market Trends: Fluctuating Performance
• Average Deviation Indicator
• Stagflation Warning

On August 14, 2026, the polyester staple fiber market in China showed a trend of fluctuation with a bullish bias The 5-day moving average difference decreased, while the 10-day and 20-day moving average differences increased, forming a strong consolidation signal The price is at a medium-high level within a 1-year cycle, with limited room for increase; it is at a medium-low level within a 3-month cycle, indicating support; and it is at a medium level within a 60-day cycle

• Polyester staple fiber
• volatile market conditions
• strong consolidation
• market analysis

Polyethylene prices stabilized after a short-term surge, with the average prices of LLDPE, LDPE, and HDPE increasing by 143%, 147%, and 048% respectively Fluctuations in crude oil costs provided bottom support, but the driving force was limited Plant maintenance in Chinese refineries led to a reduction in supply, but expectations of later resumption of production and increased imports will ease the supply

• Polyethylene prices
• crude oil costs
• maintenance cycles
• off-season demand

On August 14, the PVC spot market in China experienced range-bound fluctuations, with some regions seeing slight adjustments in quotations The average difference indicator shows that the current market is in a deep correction phase, with the low point of the 1-year cycle limiting the downward space The 60-day cycle price is at a median level, and there is still a possibility of short-term fluctuations PVC prices in Zibo and Linyi regions are in the range of 4,430 to 4,530 CNY per ton

• PVC market trend
• fluctuation adjustment
• spot market
• average difference analysis