AKRON—Goodyear has noted a "recent stabilization" in its raw material costs following a sharp spike and then rapid retreat in prices over the last six months.
In a June 14 presentation to analysts, Goodyear charted a 35 percent rise in natural rubber prices between last December and mid-February from 80 cents per pound to $1.05 per pound.
This increase in NR spot prices, though, was completely wiped out by the end of March and continued to slump, almost down to 60 cents a pound by early June.
Butadiene spot prices followed an even more dramatic track: more than doubling to $1.20 per pound during December and January before a steady decline took prices back to around 60 cents per pound this May.
Goodyear's figures indicated a fairly stable trend in butadiene prices since May, but less certainty around the direction-of-travel for NR prices.