Metals Data Response Global Steel Production (Jul.) World Steel Association (WSA) data, released this afternoon, show a 1.4% y/y rise in global steel output in July as higher Asian output more than offset lower production at EU and US steelmakers. That... 22nd August 2016 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response Global Aluminium Production (Jul.) According to the International Aluminium Institute, global primary aluminium output declined by 0.5% y/y last month. However, Chinese production may have been disrupted by flooding, while output... 22nd August 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economic Outlook Gradual acceleration, but recovery will be slow After two years of progressively slower growth, most African economies will strengthen in 2017. This recovery will be driven by rising commodity prices, which should ease strains in the balance of... 22nd August 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Weaker dollar supports commodity prices With a few exceptions, commodity prices have trended higher over the past week. A weaker dollar on the back of the July FOMC minutes showing that Fed officials were divided over the timing of the next... 19th August 2016 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update China Industrial Metals Output Monitor (Jun./Jul.) Detailed Chinese industrial production figures for July show how mine supply can offset price movements in determining refined production. The ability of smelters to respond to the rallies in zinc and... 19th August 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Update Oil price rally based on shaky foundations The recent rally in oil prices has been primarily driven by speculation about a possible deal between OPEC and major non-OPEC producers to freeze production. As a result, we think that prices will... 19th August 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Update US gas prices deflate on milder weather outlook US natural gas prices have fallen back in recent weeks, largely as a result of forecasts of milder weather. While we think that production should hold up in the second half of 2016, we are still... 19th August 2016 · 1 min read
Metals Watch Western investors to drive gold prices higher Despite subdued buying from key consumers – China and India – demand for gold had a strong first half of the year. Indeed, renewed interest from Western investors more than offset continued weakness... 18th August 2016 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack G20 blues lie ahead Residents of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) can look forward to unusually clear skies as restrictions on industry to limit pollution ahead of next month’s G20 summit come into effect. According to... 17th August 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report (17th Aug. 16) US inventories of crude oil fell last week, driven by strong demand and lower net imports. But increased drilling activity appears to be feeding through into output. 17th August 2016 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update China Industrial Metals Demand Monitor (Jul.) This is a new monthly publication in which we assess the strength of demand in the world’s largest consumer of metals. We are also introducing our Capital Economics Steel Demand Proxy, to help inform... 17th August 2016 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update PGMs rally might have gone too far After falling sharply at the end of 2015, the prices of platinum and palladium have risen by over 20% since the start of 2016. While we remain positive on the medium-term prospects for PGMs, we think... 15th August 2016 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Gold bond scheme showing signs of success India’s monthly trade deficit narrowed in July and, with the government’s sovereign gold bond scheme helping to keep a lid on imports of the precious metal, the external position is unlikely to return... 15th August 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Oil jumps on output freeze speculation Despite a slightly weaker dollar, the prices of most industrial metals ended the week lower on the back of mixed data out of China. While industrial activity looks to be holding up reasonably well –... 12th August 2016 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Q2 2016 World Gold Council Demand Trends In its Q2 Global Demand Trends report, published today, the World Gold Council (WGC) described another strong quarter for gold demand. Renewed interest from Western investors more than offset... 11th August 2016 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response South Africa’s Mine Production (Jun. 2016) While South Africa’s overall mine production shows tentative signs of recovery, the sector’s fortunes remain bleak for the time being. However, surging prices continued to encourage higher PGM output... 11th August 2016 · 1 min read
