Some primary examples of what drives eps costs (up and down).

If you follow the red boxes you can see that EPS (and most of it’s derivatives) begin with either crude oil or natural gas.  Because things like benzene, ethylbenzene and styrene (styrene monomer) are global commodities they are greatly influenced by supply and demand.  For example, when gasoline (from crude oil) and heating (natural gas) market demands are both high, that can trigger upward trend in the ethylbenzene costs.  This can lead to higher EPS prices… Obviously weak demand in the same markets can trigger deflation.