卓创资讯：市场缺乏有效利好支撑沥青现货价格跌幅扩大

Core Viewpoint - The asphalt spot prices have been experiencing a continuous decline since March, primarily due to slow demand initiation and falling crude oil prices, leading to weakened cost support [2][3]. Group 1: Price Trends - Since early March, the average asphalt spot price has dropped to 3821.79 yuan/ton by March 14, a decrease of 3.8 yuan/ton compared to early February [2]. - The average operating load rate of asphalt plants was 34.85% as of March 12, showing an increase of 3.11 percentage points compared to the previous month [3]. Group 2: Crude Oil Impact - As of March 13, crude oil prices have been on a continuous decline, with the average price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude at 66.98 USD/barrel, down 4.77 USD/barrel from early February, and Brent crude at 70.16 USD/barrel, down 5.19 USD/barrel [2]. - The decline in crude oil prices has negatively impacted the asphalt market sentiment and weakened the cost support for asphalt [2]. Group 3: Market Conditions - The asphalt market is currently facing a supply surplus, with insufficient rigid demand and poor project initiation in the terminal market [3]. - The market is expected to maintain weak fluctuations in the near term due to mixed signals and a lack of significant cost support [3].