Metals Data Response Global Steel Production (Oct.) World Steel Association (WSA) data for October show that global steel output fell by 3.1% y/y, with declines in most major producing regions. World output has been down y/y in every month this year... 20th November 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly China worries continue to weigh on sentiment Prices of most industrial metals fell sharply this week, largely reflecting persistent investor concerns about the prospects for Chinese demand. The latest data showed LME money managers cutting their... 20th November 2015 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Four key charts on the commodities “rout” (and the BDI) This Update aims to provide some perspective on the recent slides in oil and copper prices and the new record lows for the Baltic Dry Index of global shipping costs. It includes a more positive view... 20th November 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Outlook for sectoral REE demand is positive The market sectors which consume the most rare earths (REEs) are also the ones where demand is expected to grow the most next year. As such, REE demand should strengthen further next year. 20th November 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update What do the weekly changes in US oil stocks actually tell us? Changes in US weekly crude oil stocks are most influenced by variations in net crude imports, which are extremely volatile. This means it is difficult to make inferences about prices just by looking... 20th November 2015 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response Global Aluminium Production (Oct.) According to the International Aluminium Institute, global aluminium output grew by almost 8% y/y in October. Excluding China, output rose by less than 4% y/y. 20th November 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Capital spending likely to bear brunt of austerity in the Gulf The Gulf countries are in a strong position to cope with low oil prices, but some form of adjustment will be needed over the coming years. We expect tighter fiscal policy to do most of the work and we... 19th November 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Dollar strength weighs on agriculturals Strong US employment data and statements from members of the Federal Reserve in recent weeks have combined to bring forward investors’ expectations for the first US rate hike to December. The... 19th November 2015 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Time for Dr. Copper to be struck off? The continued slide in the price of copper has added to concerns about global growth. However, the industrial metal’s track record at diagnosing the health of the world economy has actually been shaky... 18th November 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report US stocks of crude oil ticked up only slightly last week, whilst stocks of gasoline edged up again as refineries continued to increase production. 18th November 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Sentiment towards PMs sours again The prices of precious metals (PMs) have fallen sharply since mid-October. While expectations of a December hike by the Fed have been the biggest catalyst for moves in gold and silver prices, fears of... 18th November 2015 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Is the worst now over for the major commodity currencies? The dollars of Australia, New Zealand and Canada have come under fire again, as the prices of the commodities that they export have dropped back. We think these prices are likely to recover a little... 17th November 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Strong dollar puts pressure on commodities Commodity prices have suffered since the middle of October, with the Bloomberg Commodities Index underperforming equities by a sizeable margin. The strong appreciation of the US dollar weighed heavily... 17th November 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update Risks to Middle East oil supplies remain high Ample global supply of oil means that prices are no longer incorporating much of a risk premium. However, the potential for disruption is still high and lack of spare capacity mean that prices could... 17th November 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Lower copper price premium may have an upside Given prevailing market conditions, reports that Codelco has cut copper price premiums for 2016 sharply was hardly that surprising. We therefore think the negative market reaction has been overdone... 17th November 2015 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Solar to provide additional support to silver prices Over the next few years, the price of silver should benefit further from governments’ increased focus on reducing global carbon dioxide emissions through investing in renewable energy. Solar energy is... 17th November 2015 · 1 min read
