The Gasoline Crack-Why does RBOB Price off Brent

Ever since the WTI-Brent spread began to widen so has the price differential between RBOB (gasoline) and WTI? What is the key driver of this?

Why does RBOB in the US not closely follow WTI? It is because finished products are very similar and can be easily transported so traders will move RBOB generated from WTI in the US to Europe and the rest of the world?

I thought that commod prices were very regional specific? I just find it weird that RBOB and HO in the US are so closely connected to Brent which is allowing refiners to make ridiculously large margins.

2 Comments
 

Because IIRC, RBOB is priced at the New York gate rather than at Cushing. The problem with buying oil in Cushing, OK is that you have to get the oil or the refined product BACK to the Gulf of Mexico.

Rule #37 of finance: Geography trumps assets. And yes, those ~500 miles to the GoM are a lot longer than the 4000 miles via tanker from the UK to NYC/NJ when you don't have a pipeline system or other infrastructure for getting it back in place.

Rule #38 of finance: There are probably some job opportunities taking a car/trailer down to Cushing and carting oil back to Houston in 20 barrel trips.

 

Ipsum dolorum quia vitae et ipsum odio quisquam id. Sint repellat ex sunt. Qui optio atque modi fugit ea ea iure. Commodi at sit explicabo officia. Aspernatur voluptatum et impedit quod. Numquam quia commodi alias facere fugit. Ea nemo nobis dolores ea.

Modi neque qui id voluptate ut. Ut ducimus enim vel iure sunt eligendi perspiciatis. Facere molestiae enim omnis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”