Commodities Update First thoughts on banking stress and commodity prices Commodity prices have tumbled as concern about a banking crisis has grown. The downside risks to our forecasts, which we recently attributed to higher interest rates, now include banking sector stress... 16th March 2023 · 2 mins read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update The implications of restored Saudi-Iran ties The restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran adds to signs that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are easing, which may help to reduce risk premia in financial assets in the... 13th March 2023 · 6 mins read
Metals Demand Monitor Metals Demand Monitor (Dec.) Demand growth for industrial metals slowed to a halt at the end of last year. Even with some more recent improvements in advanced economy activity growth, metals demand probably kicked off the year on... 9th March 2023 · 2 mins read
Energy Update JODI Energy Demand Monitor (Nov. & Dec.) JODI data on global oil and natural gas consumption show that global energy demand was weak in late 2022. China’s rapid reopening will likely boost demand for both. But plenty of downside risk remains... 8th March 2023 · 4 mins read
Commodities Update Unpacking China’s NPC for commodities The National People’s Congress reports struck a cautious note on the outlook for economic activity in China this year. Fiscal stimulus will be limited and efforts to prevent “disorderly” expansion in... 8th March 2023 · 4 mins read
Commodities Update Futures Market Monitor (Mar. 2023) Most commodity prices fell and futures curves shifted lower this past month as higher interest rate expectations in advanced economies clouded the demand outlook. This is consistent with the downside... 7th March 2023 · 4 mins read
Commodities Update China’s oil imports to pick up from here China’s imports were weak in January-February, but commodity imports fared better. What’s more, we think crude oil imports, in particular, will pick up from here given the resurgence in travel demand. 7th March 2023 · 2 mins read
Commodities Update China’s commodity demand to rise The February PMI data out of China suggest economic growth is rebounding rapidly. While growth should moderate over the second half of year, it still points to higher metals and crude oil demand... 1st March 2023 · 2 mins read
Energy Update We are sceptical of Nigeria’s oil production promises We don’t think that the election in Nigeria on Saturday will lead to a sudden improvement in crude oil production. The oil industry’s challenges in the country are too deep-seated. But the long... 22nd February 2023 · 3 mins read
Industrial Metals Update Europe metals supply battered, but not entirely broken The sharp fall in European electricity prices sets the stage for a recovery in metals output across the region. As power prices are still historically high and unlikely to fall that much further... 22nd February 2023 · 4 mins read
Energy Update Further cuts to Russian oil production still on the table Russia’s crude oil production has, up until now, been remarkably resilient in the face of Western sanctions. But the recent announcement of a voluntary cut seems to be the first concrete sign that... 17th February 2023 · 2 mins read
Climate Economics Update Upward pressure on renewables costs to be transitory A combination of higher interest rates and rising raw material prices have interrupted the long-term declines in the costs of renewables and battery power, and could push costs up further in the near... 16th February 2023 · 3 mins read
Industrial Metals Update The impact of civil unrest in Peru on copper Anecdotal reports and high frequency data suggest that ongoing civil unrest in Peru is beginning to choke off activity at key copper mines. But, if recent history is anything to go by, output can... 15th February 2023 · 2 mins read
Energy Update Russia products ban to boost prices, at least initially The EU’s imminent ban on Russia’s refined oil may see EU prices rise, but major disruption is unlikely. Even so, Russia will find it more difficult to find new buyers for its refined oil than it did... 3rd February 2023 · 2 mins read
Precious Metals Update South Africa’s platinum group metal supply to struggle The global supply of platinum group metals is likely to be increasingly strained by electricity shortages in South Africa. This poor supply outlook is a key reason why we forecast the prices of these... 3rd February 2023 · 4 mins read
Commodities Update China metals demand unlikely to pick up soon The January survey data out of China point to a revival in oil demand, but relatively flat metals demand. This is consistent with our view that the recent rally in metals prices is a little premature... 1st February 2023 · 2 mins read