Industrial Metals Update Weaker demand to weigh on Chinese imports After strong growth in 2018, we think that China’s imports of most industrial metals will be softer in 2019, reflecting slower economic growth and weaker domestic demand. 9th January 2019 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update The electric vehicles boom won’t boost nickel in 2019 In recent months, the price of nickel has plummeted as investor sentiment has waned on concerns about demand. We think that prices will drop in 2019 as growth in global supply remains strong and... 17th December 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Zinc futures are right to be in backwardation The price of zinc has fallen sharply since June but what is more remarkable is that the futures curve has shifted into a steep backwardation. We forecast that zinc prices will continue to drop in 2019... 12th December 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update No respite in sight for plummeting Chinese steel prices Chinese steel prices have slumped recently but with demand set to be weak over the coming months and less stringent pollution controls, we expect steel prices to drop by a further 20% over the next... 11th December 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Tin demand battling to soldier on Despite dropping to a multi-year low recently, we think that tin prices will fall further over the next year as Chinese demand falters. However, this should mark a turning point for the tin price, not... 29th November 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Investors are right to be bearish We think that the prices of industrial metals will drop in 2019, in part because we expect investor sentiment to remain weak owing to slower economic growth in China and the US. 20th November 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update China Industrial Metals Demand Monitor China’s latest activity and investment data paint a mixed picture of metals demand but we expect growth in consumption to slow until mid-2019. 15th November 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Lead looking for longer-term support A temporary cut in output from Nyrstar’s Port Pirie smelter will not stop lead prices falling further as auto sales are slowing and lead-acid batteries see market share eroded by electric cars. 13th November 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Cobalt caught in a trap We think that cobalt prices will rebound, by approximately 30%, between now and mid-2019, aided by a temporary halt to cobalt sales and exports from a major operation in the DRC. 8th November 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update US steel prices likely to prove unsustainable We believe that the price of US steel is currently too high, despite the 25% tariff on imports, and that slower growth in demand and higher domestic supply should prompt prices to fall back in 2019. 8th November 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Stocks to rise in 2019 Total exchange stocks for most industrial metals have declined year-to-date with cancelled warrants up in most cases, which implies strong demand. The major exception is tin. In 2019, we expect a... 31st October 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Lead and aluminium differentials shouldn’t last The price of aluminium in Shanghai has been appreciably lower than on the LME for much of this year, while the reverse has been true for lead prices. Neither is sustainable and we think that global... 30th October 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Weak auto sales signal lower metals prices ahead Automobile demand has been sluggish for several months in China. This will weigh on demand for most metals and lead to lower prices too, especially for platinum group metals (PGMs) prices. 18th October 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Chinese steel prices set to tumble Supply concerns have led to a rise in Chinese steel prices this year. However, weaker growth in demand at a time of rising production suggests that prices will fall back sharply in 2019. 11th October 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Five key questions for LME Week With LME Week starting today, it appears an opportune time to review the main discussion points that will be the hot topics at this seminal event in the metals calendar, and to share our views on them... 8th October 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Alumina prices to tumble Alumina prices have jumped in recent months on supply-side concerns. We think that the current supply disruptions will be resolved and we expect prices to fall by end-2019. 27th September 2018 · 1 min read
