Price Commentary.

U.S. Gulf coast ethylene producers are seeking increases of 2 cts-3 cts/lb for February contracts, after settling for rollovers for December and January at 26.75 cts/lb del. Spot prices moved up to 27 cts/lb del last week due to falling inventories. Ethane declined 3 cts/gal last week, to 38.5 cts/gal, but is still above year-ago levels.

Propylene sellers say they will seek a 3-cts/lb increase for March contracts, after abandoning a 1-ct/lb hike for February. Contracts will roll over for the third consecutive month at 19.5 cts/lb del for polymer grade and 18 cts/lb for chemical grade.

Mixed xylenes contracts rose 4 cts/gal for February, to $1.03/gal fob, reflecting tight supply. Spot mixed xylene prices had risen to similar levels. However, ortho-xylene spot prices have dropped 2 cts/lb over the …