U.S. Weekly Rack ULSD Rises 13.8cts; Gasoline Up 21.9cts


   
   DAVENPORT, FL (DTN) -- Wholesale rack prices for ultra-low sulfur diesel 
(ULSD) and gasoline moved higher Friday (4/24), extending gains from the prior 
session. On a week-over-week basis, both products posted solid increases as 
physical markets firmed alongside stronger futures earlier in the week despite 
renewed volatility tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict.

   Nationwide ULSD rack prices averaged $4.0997 gallon, up 4.43cts from 
Thursday's $4.0554 gallon, while conventional unleaded gasoline averaged 
$3.5329 gallon, up 7.60cts on the session, according to DTN data .

   On a week-over-week basis, ULSD rack prices increased 13.83cts from $3.9614 
gallon on Friday (4/17), while gasoline rose 21.92cts from $3.3137 gallon over 
the same period, reflecting a stronger recovery in gasoline relative to 
distillates.

   Oil and product futures were steady Friday morning on reports of imminent 
peace talks after a four-day uptrend that left energy markets on track to large 
weekly rises amid dimming prospects for a quick end to the Middle East conflict 
that has caused the largest supply disruption in history.

   By 08:35 am ET, NYMEX WTI crude for June delivery was down $0.46 to $95.39 
bbl and ICE Brent for June rose $0.01 to $105.08 bbl.  For the week, WTI showed 
a 13% rise while Brent was up almost 17%.

   Downstream, NYMEX ULSD futures for May delivery slipped by $0.0088 to 
$3.9794 gallon, and front-month NYMEX RBOB futures dipped by $0.0399 to $3.4222 
gallon.

   Rack prices continued to move higher across most regions Friday, reflecting 
a steady adjustment in physical markets after last week's reset.

   ULSD racks increased across all regions. West Coast values rose 6.42cts to 
$4.9586 gallon, maintaining the strongest regional premium. Midwest prices 
climbed 5.30cts to $3.8785 gallon, while Gulf Coast values increased 3.86cts to 
$4.0658 gallon. East Coast ULSD rose 3.33cts to $4.1177 gallon, and Rocky 
Mountain prices edged higher to $4.2537 gallon.

   Relative to the national ULSD rack average of $4.0997 gallon, PADD 5 held 
the widest premium at 85.89cts above the U.S. benchmark, followed by PADD 4 at 
15.40cts above. PADD 1 traded slightly above the national average, while PADD 2 
and PADD 3 remained at discounts of 22.12cts and 3.39cts, respectively .

   On conventional unleaded gasoline racks, all regions moved higher Friday. 
East Coast gasoline rose to $3.2408 gallon, while Midwest prices increased to 
$3.0319 gallon. Gulf Coast values climbed to $3.1395 gallon, and Rocky Mountain 
prices rose to $3.3533 gallon. West Coast gasoline increased to $4.2615 gallon, 
maintaining the only premium position at 72.86cts above the national average .

   Compared with the national gasoline average of $3.5329 gallon, PADD 2 
remained the weakest region at a 50.10cts discount, followed by PADD 3 and PADD 
1, while PADD 5 continued to reflect the strongest pricing structure.

   Premium gasoline rack prices also moved higher across all regions, broadly 
in line with conventional gasoline, with West Coast values remaining elevated 
at $4.6510 gallon.

   The latest move suggests physical markets are pushing higher, though at a 
more measured pace compared to futures. Paper markets have been quick to 
respond to geopolitical headlines, while rack prices are catching up more 
gradually as buying activity and supply conditions adjust following last week's 
correction.

   Even with the recent swings, structure remains supportive. RBOB 
backwardation is holding above 13cts, while ULSD remains steeply backwardated 
with the front month trading more than $2 above deferred contracts, pointing to 
continued strength in prompt demand despite ongoing volatility in flat price 
direction.

    




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