Commodities Update China’s import demand comes off the boil China’s commodity import volumes dropped back in April, with a notable downturn in the more industrial commodities. Volumes are likely to remain volatile in the coming months, but the prospect of... 8th May 2017 · 1 min read
China Data Response Trade & FX Reserves (Apr.) Chinese trade is still growing rapidly but shipments are beginning to slow, with cooling domestic demand weighing on imports. Meanwhile, capital outflows are edging up again despite the recent rise in... 8th May 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Commodities take a hit The prices of oil, iron ore and many of the industrial metals plunged this week. Investor concerns about demand resurfaced as China’s manufacturing PMIs for April pointed to slower economic activity... 5th May 2017 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Latest commodity price falls don’t alter economic outlook for EMs The broad fall in commodity prices this week has weighed on EM commodity currencies, but it doesn’t do much to alter the economic outlook either for EM commodity producers or EM commodity consumers. 5th May 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Chart Pack Geopolitics and OPEC dominate oil prices Geopolitical tensions were the main driver of oil prices in the first half of the month as the US fired missiles at Syria and ramped up rhetoric around North Korea. However, the market quickly... 5th May 2017 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Q1 2017 World Gold Council Demand Trends Global gold demand fell by 18% y/y in Q1 2017, but this was from a high base a year earlier. In comparison to Q4 2016, demand was stronger as geopolitical concerns prompted investor buying. Subdued... 5th May 2017 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Should global investors be worrying more about China? Growing evidence that China’s economy is slowing has triggered falls in domestic equity and global commodity markets this week but there has been no repeat of the broad global sell-off that... 5th May 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Four reasons why the weakness in oil prices won’t last long The recent weakness in oil prices is largely due to concerns over persistently high US stocks and growing production there. However, the headline US crude stocks number is a little misleading and US... 5th May 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Chart Pack Investor sentiment sours The prices of both industrial and precious metals suffered last month from waning investor optimism about the outlook for demand. Indeed, concerns appeared justified as China’s manufacturing PMI... 3rd May 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report A sharp fall in the amount of oil in the US Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) prevented commercial stocks from falling by as much as expected. 3rd May 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack A bumpy ride for commodities The prices of many commodities had a volatile month, led by the price of oil which is being buffeted by a lack of clarity on future supply. Industrial metals prices fell sharply on renewed concerns... 2nd May 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China’s activity slowed in April Both the official and unofficial April manufacturing PMIs for China surprised on the downside. There are now clear signs of cooling domestic demand, which will weigh on commodity demand. That said... 2nd May 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Geopolitical concerns keep commodity prices volatile This week has been dominated by speculation about whether OPEC will extend its output cuts at its next semi-annual meeting at the end of May. Even though an extension now appears likely, this failed... 28th April 2017 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Softwood lumber dispute isn’t start of potential trade war The decision by the US Commerce Department to impose preliminary import duties of close to 20% on Canadian softwood lumber isn’t a big surprise to domestic producers, nor will it seriously threaten... 28th April 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Outlook Downhill from here The prices of many commodities have come off the boil recently on fading optimism about demand, rising geopolitical risk and the prospect of further US monetary tightening and dollar appreciation. Of... 26th April 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report Crude oil stocks slumped for the third consecutive week as demand from refineries rose to its highest level on record. Meanwhile, both gasoline and distillate inventories increased sharply. 26th April 2017 · 1 min read
