The year 2013 wasn't as good for refiners as 2012, but recent developments could make 2014 better than the last. This will happen because of two major drivers. One of these drivers will be the reduction in ethanol production. This will help refiners avoid the "blend wall" -- the amount of ethanol needed to meet the 10% ethanol limit on gasoline. If this wall had been passed, then the cost for the credits could have increased drastically, which would have severely cut into refiners' profits.
Tune into the video below to learn more about the other key driving force for refiners in 2014, and how companies like Valero (VLO +1.33%), Phillips 66 (PSX +0.79%), and Marathon Petroleum (MPC +1.63%) are in the best positions to take advantage of these upcoming trends.
