Oil sensitive stocks slump as Brent crude prices surge past $81
Brent crude soars past $81, triggering a sharp decline in crude-sensitive stocks as US sanctions on Russian oil disrupt supplies, raising costs for OMCs, paint, tyre, and aviation companies.
Brent crude prices hit a three-month high, trading at $81.24 per barrel by 0113 GMT, following new US sanctions on Russian oil producers. The sanctions target 183 vessels and major producers like Gazprom Neft, disrupting crude supplies to China and India, the two largest importers. Analysts predict these sanctions could push India and China to source oil from regions like the Middle East, potentially leading to a sustained rise in crude prices.
Oil marketing and refinery stocks hit hard
The rise in crude prices has negatively impacted oil marketing companies (OMCs) and refiners. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) saw its shares drop by 6 per cent, Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) declined by 1.68 per cent, and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) slid by 3.61 per cent. Among refineries, Chennai Petrochemical dipped 1.15 per cent, and Reliance Industries fell 0.80 per cent. However, Mangalore Refinery managed a marginal gain of 0.36 per cent.
Paint and tyre manufacturers feel the pinch
Crude oil, a key raw material for the paint and tyre industries, has triggered a fall in these stocks. Paint companies such as Asian Paints, Kansai Nerolac, and Berger Paints witnessed declines of up to 2.2 per cent intraday. Tyre manufacturers, reliant on synthetic rubber and petrochemicals derived from crude oil, also saw stocks slide. JK Tyre, Ceat, and Balkrishna Industries dropped up to 3.3 percent in intraday trading.
Aviation stocks under pressure
Aviation fuel, derived from crude oil, forms a significant portion of airline operating costs. Shares of InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) plunged over four per cent, while SpiceJet fell 0.30 per cent. Intraday, aviation stocks dropped as much as 7.2 per cent.
Outlook remains cautious
The sanctions, aimed at curbing Russian oil revenues used in the Ukraine war, are expected to add upward pressure on global crude prices. For crude-sensitive industries, rising input costs could compress margins further, dampening investor sentiment.
Investors should stay alert to crude price movements and their broader economic implications as markets react to geopolitical developments.
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