Three key developments to keep an eye on

Most commodity prices ground higher this week. And, stepping back, we think events this week highlight three key themes to watch in the months ahead. First, natural gas prices show no sign of easing back, and are likely to remain high until early next year. Prices continued to surge this week on the back of ongoing supply disruptions and unseasonably strong demand in Asia. And, even if both these tailwinds fade, a rebuilding of stocks from their current lows should continue to support prices. Second, the growing divergence between industrial metals prices and underlying demand could set the stage for a sharp correction before the year is out. Despite the weaker-than-expected activity data out of China, industrial metals prices were a mixed bag this week. Nonetheless, they still remain close to multi-year highs. And finally, calls for OPEC+ to fully unwind its output cut before the end of next year (as is currently planned) look set to grow louder. The Biden Administration has already called for this and China has announced crude sales from its strategic reserve in an apparent bid to stem the rise in prices. The main event for commodity markets next week will be the Fed’s FOMC meeting (Tuesday/Wednesday). While we expect the Fed will fall short of formally announcing tapering QE, they may prepare the ground for it at the meeting. A repeat of the June meeting’s hawkish surprise could set the tone and drive a dollar rally, which would weigh on the prices of all commodities but particularly on some of the precious metals, which have tracked the dollar closely this year.