According to the commodity market analysis system of Business Society, the mixed xylene market rose this week. From January 1 to January 15, 2026, the mixed xylene market increased from 5,510 yuan/ton to 5,720 yuan/ton, a rise of 3.81%. During this period, transactions were primarily driven by rigid demand. In the early stage, the market operated strongly supported by robust cost-side factors. In the later stage, as crude oil prices retreated and downstream buyers became cautious about chasing price increases, the market experienced a slight correction, showing signs of pressure at high levels.

Cost Side:
According to the commodity market analysis system of Business Society, as of January 15, the settlement price of the March contract for U.S. WTI crude oil futures was reported at $59.08 per barrel, while the settlement price of the March contract for Brent crude oil futures was reported at $63.76 per barrel. During this period, international crude oil prices exhibited a wide fluctuation trend of "continuous increases initially, followed by a significant correction at the end of the month," resulting in phased differences in cost support for the xylene market. In the early stage, international crude oil futures achieved five consecutive days of gains, with WTI crude oil rising above $60 per barrel and Brent crude oil following suit. Both prices reached their highest levels in nearly two months, creating a strong atmosphere in the bulk commodity market and directly driving the upward movement of xylene and related upstream and downstream aromatic product prices. Domestic crude oil futures also strengthened, rising continuously from January 9 to January 13. On January 13, the closing price reached 445.6 yuan per barrel, an increase of 29.4 yuan per barrel compared to the low on January 8, indicating significant cost-side support.

However, on January 15, international oil prices experienced a sharp decline as geopolitical premiums quickly dissipated. Influenced by factors such as eased tensions between Venezuela and the United States, higher-than-expected increases in U.S. crude oil inventories, and a decline in OPEC+ production cut compliance, WTI crude oil fell by 3.31% in a single day to $59.83 per barrel, while Brent crude oil dropped by 3.49% to $64.19 per barrel, marking the largest single-day decline since November 2025. The sharp short-term correction in oil prices weakened cost-side support for xylene. Coupled with increased market expectations of subsequent oil price volatility, the enthusiasm for chasing price increases in the xylene market was suppressed, leading to insufficient momentum for further gains.

Business Society Brent-WTI Crude Oil Price Trend Comparison Chart:

Supply Side:
During this period, the domestic supply of mixed xylene was generally tight, with significant regional differences in arrivals and enterprise price adjustments, supporting the market's upward movement in the early stage. By region, Shandong saw the most notable price increases. In the early stage, sales were weak, but during the week, downstream customers entered the market for concentrated procurement, resulting in strong daily production and sales performance. Factories maintained low inventory operations, and driven by crude oil and the East China market, the negotiation focus shifted upward, narrowing the price gap between Shandong and East China. In East China, market negotiations followed the trend of crude oil and related product futures, rising initially and then adjusting. Reduced arrivals of ship cargoes in regional warehouses led to tight spot supply, with holders showing strong price support intentions. In the later stage, prices experienced a slight correction as crude oil retreated. In South China, prices rose initially but weakened later. In the early stage, the absence of ship cargo arrivals and adjustments in major refineries' listed prices drove market strength. In the later stage, prices corrected slightly due to weak demand, with overall trading activity remaining moderate. Price adjustments by major refineries such as Sinopec dominated the market rhythm, with relatively limited spot supply further reinforcing market sentiment for price support.

Summary of Sinopec Xylene Quotations:
Currently, enterprises are operating normally, with stable production and balanced sales. Quotations remain unchanged compared to the previous day. As of January 15, East China Company quoted 5,800 yuan/ton, North China Company quoted 5,400–5,550 yuan/ton, South China Company quoted 5,900 yuan/ton, and Central China Company quoted 5,400–5,600 yuan/ton.