USTR China Section 301 Tariff Exclusions Expiring September 30th

The Section 301 Tariff Exclusions, which were extended in December 2022 and May 2023, are currently set to expire and be reinstated as a 25% Tariff on September 30th, 2023. In May, the tariff exclusion deadline was extended just a matter of days prior to the deadline, however as of today it’s unknown if the […]
A Rising Tide: The Rebound of Ocean Freight Rates

Long-standing trends of sinking freight rates have appeared to run their course, particularly in the realm of ocean carriers. These once dwindling rates have seemingly hit their lowest and are now beginning to catch an upward current. This uptick is especially notable in several lanes, including those bridging the US with Asia and Europe, Fastmarkets […]
Dow Battles Flames & Supply Chain Fallout: FM Declared at Louisiana Unit

In the wake of a fire on July 16th, Dow has declared a force majeure on Ethylene Oxide (EO) at their Plaquemine, LA unit. The aftermath of the blaze is expected to halt operations for a few weeks at least, with industry insiders hinting that supply issues could extend into the months ahead. EO plays […]
Chemical Industry’s Q2 Reports: A Streak of Underwhelming Performance

As we venture into mid-July, the corporate landscape is abuzz with the disclosure of Q2 earnings results, Reuters reports. These financial fever charts offer a glimpse into what might lie ahead for the remainder of the year. The chemical industry has been walking a tightrope, experiencing persistent double-digit percentage dips in Q2 sales and an […]
Quiet Stock Market Bull Rally and Crude Decreases to Begin June

Amid concerns about recessions, inflation, and rate hikes, the stock market quietly embarked on a new bull rally in June. With a 20% surge since October 2022 lows, this positive shift indicates promising signs for the market. Despite negative headlines, the economy has shown resilience, supported by strong corporate earnings and declining oil prices. A […]