The Institute for Energy Security (IES) is predicting an increase in fuel prices in the first pricing window of January, 2020.
This is despite the cedi recording some marginal gains against the dollar within the period.
However, a statement issued by the IES and signed by Raymond Nuworkpor, Head of Research & Policy Analyst believes that the increases could be averted or its impacts minimized if the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) applies the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy (PSRL).
REVIEW OF DECEMBER 2019 SECOND PRICING WINDOW
Local Fuel Market Performance
Prices of petroleum products remained largely stable as predicted by the Institute for Energy Security (IES) in the Pricing-window under review. Fuel prices within the second Pricing-window of December 2019 saw majority of the Oil Marketing Companies (0MCs) maintaining the prices of Gasoline and Gasoil unchanged. The current national average price of fuel per litre at the pump is pegged at GHc5.36 for both Gasoline and Gasoil. For the Pricing-window under review. Zen Petroleum, Benab Oil, Pacific, SO Energy and Alinco Oil sold the least-priced Gasoline and Gasoil on the local market relative to others in the industry, according to IES Market-scan.
World Oil Market
Crude oil prices continue to remain above the S60-dollar margin for this window as an Analyst Poll by the Wall Street Journal suggested prices will remain relatively stable at current levels at least during the first quarter of the New Year despite OPEC’s deeper production cuts. The overall sentiment on oil prices seems to be leaning towards the bearish. On Average, Brent crude rose marginally from $62.87 per barrel to close at $65.43 per barrel: thus recording an increased change of 4.07%.
According to Standard and Poor’s Global Platts benchmark for fuels. Average Gasoline Price increased by 5.05% to close at $620.11 per metric tonne, from a previous average of $590.32 per metric tonne; while Gasoil increased by 4.95% to close trading at $607.34 per metric tonne from a previous $580.70 per metric tonne.
Local Forex
Data collated by IES Economic Desk from the Foreign Exchange market show the cedi made some very marginal gains against the US Dollar within the period, after showing weakness in the previous window. The Cedi traded at an average price of Ghs5.65 to the US Dollar over the period under review, from a rate of Ghs5.71 recorded in the second window of December 2019. The rate of appreciation recorded against the US Dollar is 1.05%.
Source: kasapafmonline.com