March 9th News — In Shandong, the mainstream quotation range for mixed xylene is between 8,500 and 9,000 yuan/ton, marking an increase of 2,500 yuan/ton compared to the previous trading day. This rise is primarily driven by multiple interconnected factors, with cost-side pressures serving as the core driver. Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have raised concerns over crude oil supply, pushing upstream raw material prices higher and providing solid support for the increase in xylene prices. Additionally, maintenance or reduced operations at some domestic and international plants have tightened market supply, prompting holders to hold back stocks and support prices. Coupled with the synchronized rise in the aromatics industry chain, heightened market optimism, and rigid demand support from downstream industries resuming operations after the holiday, the upward momentum has been further amplified. In the short term, the xylene market is expected to remain strong with fluctuations. Chempricehub's analysis of mixed xylene assigns a bullish-bearish score of 2. The report notes that the mainstream quotation for xylene in Shandong has risen by 2,500 yuan/ton to 8,500–9,000 yuan/ton, driven by multiple favorable factors: escalating Middle East geopolitical tensions have heightened crude oil supply concerns, pushing upstream raw material costs higher; maintenance at domestic and international plants has tightened supply, prompting holders to hold back stocks and support prices; synchronized gains in the aromatics industry chain, rising market optimism, and rigid demand from downstream industries resuming operations after the holiday have collectively amplified the upward trend. These factors significantly benefit spot prices, with expectations of continued strength and fluctuations in the short term. Meanwhile, the PX futures market (as a related product to xylene) has shown strong performance recently. For instance, the settlement price of the 2605 contract reached 8,998 yuan/ton, up 562 yuan, with active trading volume and a significant increase in open interest, reflecting strong market optimism. Combined with fundamental support, futures prices are expected to continue rising, reinforcing the bullish trend.