Commodities Update Import demand proves resilient, for now China’s commodity import volumes generally held up well last month, despite the ongoing slowdown in broader economic activity. However, all the signs point to weaker import growth in the coming months... 8th November 2018 · 1 min read
Energy Update Oil supply fears allayed for now The last-minute waivers on US sanctions granted to eight of Iran’s largest customers suggest supply in the oil market should be more than ample, underpinning our forecast of a further fall in oil... 7th November 2018 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Q3 2018 World Gold Council Demand Trends After a lacklustre first half of the year, global gold demand rose in Q3, albeit marginally. We think that consumer demand may well remain soft in Q4, but the upturn in ETF holdings in October could... 1st November 2018 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China PMIs point to weak commodities demand The latest survey data out of China paint a subdued picture of economic growth and offer little support to the prices of industrial and energy commodities. What’s more, any policy stimulus to boost... 1st November 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Stocks to rise in 2019 Total exchange stocks for most industrial metals have declined year-to-date with cancelled warrants up in most cases, which implies strong demand. The major exception is tin. In 2019, we expect a... 31st October 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Lead and aluminium differentials shouldn’t last The price of aluminium in Shanghai has been appreciably lower than on the LME for much of this year, while the reverse has been true for lead prices. Neither is sustainable and we think that global... 30th October 2018 · 1 min read
Commodities Update What a US slowdown would mean for commodities The economic slowdown that we expect in the US over the next few years is a key factor in our generally downbeat outlook for commodity prices. 25th October 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Weak auto sales signal lower metals prices ahead Automobile demand has been sluggish for several months in China. This will weigh on demand for most metals and lead to lower prices too, especially for platinum group metals (PGMs) prices. 18th October 2018 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Higher demand to boost corn prices The USDA’s latest projections have not changed our view that ample supply will remain a problem for the grains and soybean markets. That being said, a fall in corn stocks, coupled with the potential... 15th October 2018 · 1 min read
Energy Update Saudi Arabia unlikely to resort to “oil weapon” We do not expect Saudi Arabia to cut oil production in response to US criticism over a missing journalist, not least because it will want to preserve the “anti-Iran axis” with the US. However, if the... 15th October 2018 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China’s commodity imports holding up well The solid growth in China’s commodity import volumes appears at odds with data pointing to softer economic activity. As such, we expect import volumes to turn down in the coming months. 12th October 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Chinese steel prices set to tumble Supply concerns have led to a rise in Chinese steel prices this year. However, weaker growth in demand at a time of rising production suggests that prices will fall back sharply in 2019. 11th October 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Five key questions for LME Week With LME Week starting today, it appears an opportune time to review the main discussion points that will be the hot topics at this seminal event in the metals calendar, and to share our views on them... 8th October 2018 · 1 min read
Energy Update Oil at $85 will prove unsustainable The price of Brent crude nudged $85 per barrel today, reflecting concerns about the re-imposition of US sanctions on Iran. However, we remain of the view that supply from other OPEC and non-OPEC... 2nd October 2018 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Falls in China’s PMIs do not bode well for prices The downturn evident in China’s PMI readings for September is consistent with the recent weakness in industrial metals prices. The authorities have started to ease policy, which should start to... 1st October 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Alumina prices to tumble Alumina prices have jumped in recent months on supply-side concerns. We think that the current supply disruptions will be resolved and we expect prices to fall by end-2019. 27th September 2018 · 1 min read