Commodities Update Iron ore bucks weak China commodity imports Growth in China’s commodity import volumes slowed in July, despite some recent encouraging signs from activity indicators. In some cases, higher domestic output is edging out imports. In others, ample... 8th August 2016 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Has the zinc rally further to go? The price of zinc has surged in recent months, primarily on better prospects for steel demand. But while fundamentals are moving in the right direction and we expect the market to be in deficit this... 8th August 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Commodities wobble on strong US jobs data On Friday, commodity prices dipped in the wake of the second consecutive strong US non-farm payrolls reading, the subsequent appreciation of the dollar and the implication that rate hikes could come... 5th August 2016 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Central banks to remain net buyers of gold Central banks resumed their gold purchases in June, after having turned net sellers in May, with Russia and China once again particularly active. While gold demand from the official sector was... 5th August 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Update Has the rally in coal prices burnt out? Continued falls in demand and lower Chinese imports in the second half of the year should put downward pressure on coal prices, even if small stocks support prices in the near term. 5th August 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Watch Have sugar prices hit a sweet spot? The price of sugar in US dollar terms has soared, rising by nearly 30% since the start of the year, on reports of poor harvests and falling stocks. However, the upward pressure on prices from... 4th August 2016 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Weaker currencies continue to sustain supply The prices of precious metals in US dollar terms are back to the level seen at the beginning of 2010, with the exception of platinum, which has fallen sharply during the period. However, production... 4th August 2016 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update China Industrial Metals Output Monitor (May/Jun.) Detailed Chinese industrial production figures for June show that output of most industrial metals increased on the month. While the general rally in metals prices has offered incentives to boost... 3rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report (3rd Aug. 16) Crude oil stocks rose last week, despite production falling and demand from refineries increasing. On the other hand, gasoline stocks fell sharply. 3rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Update Oil prices more likely to rise than fall The recent falls in oil prices have raised concerns that the fuel could be entering a new bear market. However, we think that oil prices are more likely to rebound a little by the end of the year than... 2nd August 2016 · 1 min read
Metals Chart Pack A strong month for metals The prices of industrial and precious metals generally rose in July, despite a strengthening dollar for much of the month and only subdued economic data out of China. However, with investors more... 2nd August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Focus Is the worst over for Indonesia and Malaysia? Economic growth in Malaysia and Indonesia has slowed markedly over the past couple of years. While we think the worst is now over for the region’s two main commodity producers, a strong rebound is... 2nd August 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack Industrial metals steal the show A sharp downturn in oil prices dragged the broad commodities indices lower last month so that equities outperformed. That said, there were pockets of strength, with nearly all the industrial metals... 1st August 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly US dollar weakness supports prices Commodity prices generally drifted lower over the past week, although some support came later from a weaker US dollar. Indeed, the markets shrugged off disappointing US Q2 GDP data on Friday, given... 29th July 2016 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response GDP by Industry (May) Monthly GDP fell by a bigger-than-feared 0.6% m/m in May, as the Alberta wildfires triggered a massive slump in oil sands production. 29th July 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Chart Pack The music stops for oil, but coal picks up the tune It has been a mixed bag for energy commodities this month, with oil and US natural gas prices falling back due to oversupply, a stronger dollar and cooler weather. On the other hand, coal prices... 29th July 2016 · 1 min read