Refinery Maintenance and Reliability
The market is increasingly focused on the upcoming spring maintenance season. Any unplanned downtime during the current cold weather transition could tighten the physical market for summer-grade fuel earlier than expected.
Retail Forecast and Consumption
EIA projections suggest retail pump prices will average $2.92 in 2026. This lower price environment is expected to act as a major boost for consumer spending as the spring driving season approaches.