As process manufacturers, chemicals companies are on the upstreamside of the overall consumer value chain, with heavy exposure to raw material pricing and energy costs.
So, with growing demand for gasoline and other refined-oil products driving the prices and profits for all refiners upward, and with companies like Valero reaping the rewards of a widening price gap between sour and sweet on the upstreamside, sour refiners like Valero are going to continue their monster returns.
For people who live on the other side of the River Teme, the next nearest bridges across are at Little Hereford three miles upstream and at Stanford Bridge, nine miles downstream.