Commodities Chart Pack Strong dollar and ample supply weigh on prices R enewed strength in the US currency undermined most commodity prices again last month, with ample supply dragging down crude oil and many agricultural too. Lingering concerns over the risk of a “hard... 1st June 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Dollar strength weighs on commodities (again) Commodity prices mostly fell in the past week, dragged lower by renewed strength in the US currency. Leading the falls, natural gas prices reversed their weather-related gains from earlier in the... 29th May 2015 · 1 min read
Metals Watch Are low tin prices justified? Base metals prices have struggled since the start of this year, but many have still managed to make modest gains. In contrast, tin prices have fallen. In this Metals & Mining Watch , we discuss the... 29th May 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update The devil is in the detail of Chinese trade China’s detailed trade data for April paint a broadly positive picture of industrial metals demand. Meanwhile, the export surge associated with the Qingdao port scandal, as stocks were moved into more... 26th May 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Fed back in focus as US inflation picks up The past week has been a good one for commodity prices, with most recording at least a small increase. Adverse growing conditions boosted the prices of coffee and wheat, while silver again... 22nd May 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Production cuts to spur aluminium price gains Aluminium demand is strong and stocks are falling, but overproduction continues to constrain prices. However, the ongoing fall in price premiums is hurting the profitability of both producers and... 20th May 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Dovish US data support commodity prices Commodity prices have generally had a good week, helped by further soft economic data from theUS and a renewed decline in the value of the dollar against other major currencies. Thestabilisation in... 15th May 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update The future looks bright for cobalt Strong demand prospects will support cobalt prices in 2015-16. However, for now, the supply picture is more than comfortable suggesting only limited scope for significant price gains. 15th May 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Which commodities could be most affected by El Niño? An El Niño event does not automatically translate into higher commodity prices. Its impact on production and prices will largely depend on its strength and duration, as well as the prevailing... 14th May 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Falling stocks point to stronger demand Stocks of base metals generally fell over the last month. Admittedly, factors specific to individual commodities explained some of the inventory drawdown, but it does suggest that the markets are... 13th May 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update China's policy direction supportive of copper demand All the signs are that the Chinese authorities are committed to using the powerful tools at their disposal to prevent a “hard landing”. We expect that this will result in stronger demand for... 11th May 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Oil prices run ahead of themselves After a strong start to the week, with Brent seemingly heading for $70 per barrel, the recovery in oil prices ran out of steam by Friday. Indeed, the rebound over the last few months could simply... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
Metals Chart Pack Prices rally as investors turn positive The S&P GSCI industrial metals index fell sharply in May and under-performed other commodities. Renewed strength in the dollar coupled with subdued Chinese economic data undermined investor sentiment... 7th May 2015 · 1 min read
Metals Watch The “new normal” for Chinese steel There has been much talk about the “new normal” for the Chinese economy, involving slower and more sustainable growth. In this Metals & Mining Watch, we discuss the implications of the “new normal”... 5th May 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack Industrial commodities lead the pack Some weakness in the US dollar and hope for a delay to the first US interest rate hike helped to support commodity prices in April. Meanwhile, although Chinese economic data showed persistent weakness... 1st May 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Nickel’s rollercoaster ride may not be over, yet After sliding to six-year lows earlier in the month, nickel prices have rebounded sharply in the last week to around $13,500 per tonne. Although we are positive on the medium-term outlook, the latest... 30th April 2015 · 1 min read
