Commodities Update How to interpret the weakness in commodity prices The recent slide in the Bloomberg index of spot commodity prices to its lowest level since 2010 has caught the attention of many commentators. But the underlying picture is far more nuanced than the... 23rd September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Commodities demand unlikely to get a boost anytime soon The increase in the flash PMI for China has helped to assuage fears about a hard landing. However, the index is still low by historical standards and the fall in the euro-zone’s flash PMI highlights... 23rd September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Can Indonesia dictate global tin prices? Indonesia appears to be exercising its power as the world’s largest tin exporter, withholding shipments when prices are low. However, with only subdued growth in demand, there is a risk that other... 19th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Zinc losing its zing? Zinc prices have started to fall in recent weeks. Whilst acknowledging that the market was set to tighten in 2015, we had felt the recent rally was premature. However, the scale of mine closures... 18th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Climate change not all bad news for agricultural commodities Rising global temperatures are often assumed to be unambiguously negative for the output of agricultural commodities. However, while there is plenty of debate about the causes and impacts of climate... 17th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update What would a “yes” vote mean for UK oil & gas production? The general economic uncertainty created by a “yes” vote in Scotland’s independence referendum could hamper investment in the oil and gas sector too. Nonetheless, an independent Scottish government... 16th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Expectations for global soybean output get another boost The price of major grains and soybeans are at near five-year lows thanks in part to another large upward revision in the USDA’s expectations for global crop output. However, assuming there is no... 15th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update The dollar is not the only driver of metals’ prices Unusually, both base and precious metals prices have fallen this week. The common factor appears tobe the strength of the dollar and the prospect of imminent US monetary tightening. In our view, this... 12th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Will global oil prices remain below $100? Some of the factors that have dragged the price of Brent crude below $100 per barrel may prove temporary, notably the weakness of European demand. Saudi Arabia might also cut output again in an... 11th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update How far can iron ore prices fall? Sluggish Chinese demand amid a ramp up in supply, notably from Australia, has sent iron ore pricesinto freefall. Higher-cost producers will eventually be forced out of the market and prices will at... 11th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Coal prices to fall further as environmental regulations bite The recent sharp falls in imports of coal by China and consumption of coal in the US are just the latest evidence that environmental measures enacted over the last year have begun to reduce demand in... 9th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China’s trade data confirm weaker commodity demand China’s commodity import demand weakened in August as the slowdown in the property sector continued to weigh on industrial metals consumption. While crude oil imports increased, this was matched by... 8th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update How vulnerable are European gas supplies to the Ukraine crisis? Today’s announcement that both sides have agreed on a ceasefire should help to ease tensions inUkraine and move the government and rebels towards a sustainable peace deal. Admittedly, we havealready... 5th September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update A renewed surge in nickel prices likely in 2015 Nickel prices have risen sharply this year on supply concerns. However, for now, stocks still seemample. This is set to change in 2015, when the full impact of Indonesia’s ore export ban will be felt... 3rd September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Thai rice prices likely to come off the boil The rebound in the price of Thai rice over the last few months has been driven by the suspension ofgovernment sales and reinforced by the recent stock write-offs. However, Thailand’s rice stocks... 2nd September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Gold price unlikely to rally on seasonal factors alone This is the time of year when the gold price is traditionally assumed to be boosted by a seasonal pick-upin demand. Some months have tended to see larger changes in the price of gold than others, but... 28th August 2014 · 1 min read
