OPEC Watch OPEC appears optimistic about oil market rebalancing Lower OPEC output and brighter prospects for demand mean that the group is likely to be relatively cheerful at its meeting at the end of the month. However, unless the group reduces its production... 13th November 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Watch High stocks remain a problem for cotton After a strong start to the year, the price of cotton has drifted lower since. In this Commodities Watch, we will discuss the main drivers of the cotton market and how they will affect prices in 2018... 8th November 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Watch US natural gas set to burn brighter in 2018 The stability in US natural gas prices since early this year has led many market commentators to assume that prices will be stuck at current levels for the foreseeable future. This Energy Watch will... 31st October 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Watch Zinc to lose its zing in 2018 Since the start of 2016, zinc has doubled in price. A combination of mine closures (owing to depletion), production cuts and solid demand have been the key drivers of the rally. But speculative... 31st October 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Watch Agriculturals: more of the same in 2018? For the most part, 2017 will be a year to forget for agricultural commodities as abundant supply weighed on prices. In this Commodities Watch, we will take stock of the latest developments in... 12th October 2017 · 1 min read
OPEC Watch Oil market showing more signs of tightening OPEC production rose last month due to increases in Libya and Nigeria. However, estimates of slower non-OPEC output growth and stronger demand offer some hope for rebalancing. 11th October 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Watch What are auto sales telling us about metals demand? Vehicles are a growing source of demand for metals, including platinum group metals (PGMs), zinc, aluminium, steel, nickel and copper. In this Metals Watch we look at the latest trends in global auto... 6th October 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Watch Is the surge in oil prices sustainable? The last three months have seen a turnaround in the oil market as investor sentiment turned positive and prices jumped. This Energy Watch will briefly take stock of what has been driving prices up... 29th September 2017 · 1 min read
OPEC Watch Lower OPEC production likely to be temporary OPEC production fell last month, but early indicators suggest that it is likely to rebound in September. Unless output falls significantly over the next six months, stocks will remain above their five... 12th September 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Watch Tightness in tin to persist Electronics and the electrical sector used to account for around half of total tin usage. But tin is finding new sources of demand in the green economy and in the transport and chemical sectors. In... 30th August 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Watch Growing supply will limit any gains in oil prices this year Crude oil prices have risen over the last month as demand has picked up and stocks have tumbled. However, supply, especially from Nigeria, Libya and the US has risen rapidly. This Energy Watch looks... 23rd August 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Watch Bittersweet year for sugar The price of sugar has plummeted by 33% since the start of the year on expectations of a global surplus in the 2017/18 season (October-September). In this Commodities Watch, we discuss recent trends... 17th August 2017 · 1 min read
OPEC Watch Rising OPEC production puts market rebalancing at risk Another rise in OPEC’s production in July has not helped the group’s efforts to rebalance the oil market. However, strong demand and slower growth in non-OPEC output should still help to reduce stocks... 10th August 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Watch Second half of the year bodes well for coffee Last month, the spread between arabica and robusta coffee prices fell to its lowest level in over ten years. Elsewhere, France recently announced that it will curb the use of palm oil in biofuels... 25th July 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Watch Will US gasoline demand recover from its weak start? US gasoline prices have been volatile so far this year but have generally followed oil prices lower. This Energy Watch examines the prospects for US gasoline demand over the rest of this year and into... 14th July 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Watch Cheers for silver on hold Despite relatively strong demand from industrial applications and dwindling mine supply, the price of silver has recently fallen to the lowest level since April 2016. In this Metals Watch, we look at... 14th July 2017 · 1 min read
