Metals Data Response Global Steel Production (Oct.) World Steel Association (WSA) data showed a 5.9% y/y increase in global steel production in October and a 5.3% rise in January-October, driven by growth in most of the largest steel-producing... 22nd November 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response Global Aluminium Production (Oct.) The latest output data for October, released today, point to a tighter aluminium market. Whilst the planned closures in China could provide some support to prices over the coming months, growth in... 20th November 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Stocks suggest that demand is slowing Total exchange stocks of nearly all the metals have fallen since the start of the year, which goes some way to justifying the rally in prices. The exceptions are tin and copper inventories. However... 20th November 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Iron ore vulnerable even without steel output cuts Government-mandated steel production cuts in China this winter will exacerbate the decrease in demand for iron ore resulting from a weak construction sector and a slowdown in economic growth. As such... 17th November 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update China Industrial Metals Demand Monitor (Oct.) China’s October activity and investment data underpin our view that the economy started to slow in the second half of this year and point to softer growth in metals demand. 16th November 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Political risks boost oil prices The price of oil jumped this week on rising tensions in the Middle East, which also lent some support to the gold price. In contrast, the prices of industrial metals fell, after strong gains a week... 10th November 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Too soon to get excited about nickel The medium-term outlook for nickel demand has improved given that electric vehicles are likely to have a high nickel content. But, for now, the market is more than comfortably supplied. 6th November 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Chart Pack Nickel soars on positive outlook for electric vehicles The prices of most metals rose in October, despite some appreciation of the US dollar and somewhat softer economic data out of China. Optimism about future demand, notably associated with the electric... 2nd November 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack Commodities on a tear October was another strong month for the prices of industrial metals and oil as optimism about demand prevailed while prospects for supply deteriorated. We are more cautious, however. There are now... 1st November 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Watch Zinc to lose its zing in 2018 Since the start of 2016, zinc has doubled in price. A combination of mine closures (owing to depletion), production cuts and solid demand have been the key drivers of the rally. But speculative... 31st October 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Pockets of strength and weakness in China’s imports There was no clear trend in China’s September metals import data. Indeed, in many cases, we think incoming shipments appeared at odds with the underlying trends in domestic demand and supply. High... 24th October 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response Global Steel Production (Sep.) World Steel Association (WSA) data showed a 5.3% y/y increase in global steel production in January-September, with output rising in all the major producers except Japan. That said, global output was... 23rd October 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update China Industrial Metals Demand Monitor (Sep. & Q3) China’s September activity and investment data and Q3 GDP suggest that the economy is holding up well. However, both point to weakness in the construction sector, which will weigh on demand for metals... 23rd October 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response Global Aluminium Production (Sep.) The latest aluminium output data for September, released today, point to a tighter market. However, ShFE stocks have continued to rise indicating that the market is amply supplied for now. We expect... 20th October 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Commodities defy stronger dollar Despite a stronger US dollar, the S&P GSCI commodity index trended higher. With the exception of agriculture, all the other sub-indices recorded gains. 18th October 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Stocks fall, but cannot explain the surge in prices Total exchange stocks of nearly all the metals edged lower over the last month, which will have been a factor supporting prices. That said, the recent stock drawdowns have been relatively small. What... 17th October 2017 · 1 min read
