Commodities Update Why commodity investors shouldn’t fear the Fed The US central bank is edging towards a first interest rate hike, most likely in September. Thereafter, we expect rates to rise faster than the markets (and Fed officials themselves) generally... 18th June 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Support for iron ore prices to wane Temporary supply bottlenecks and falling stocks at Chinese ports have prompted a rally in iron ore prices since early-April. However, supply is expected to pick up strongly, at a time of only subdued... 16th June 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Focus An introduction to Rare Earth Elements Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are highly sought-after chemical elements which are essential components of a wide range of products, ranging from smart phones to wind turbines and cancer-treating drugs... 15th June 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Positive case for gold remains intact Most commodity prices have moved in narrow ranges in the past week. US natural gas prices continued their see-saw pattern, buffeted by weather and other seasonal factors. But other markets were... 12th June 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update The impact of China’s “new normal” on metals demand The sources of industrial metals demand will alter as China shifts away from investment-led growth, but demand should not collapse. Indeed, demand for metals used in consumer goods could benefit. 12th June 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Lower stocks to help pave way for higher prices Exchange stocks of base metals have generally been falling over the last month. Although some metal is merely being moved into off-market locations, low stocks could be an additional factor boosting... 10th June 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Global steel demand to struggle again this year Global growth in apparent steel usage was just 0.6% in 2014 and was concentrated in the advanced economies. Consumption in China and a number of other key emerging markets fell. As we expect China’s... 8th June 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Ample supply to cap oil prices Commodity prices have remained under pressure from continued dollar strength, although supply concerns in the past week have supported some agriculturals – notably wheat and coffee. US lumber prices... 5th June 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Why we are positive on copper prices Copper demand is set to pick up strongly later in the year as US economic activity rebounds and policy loosening in China lifts demand there. Meanwhile, subdued mine supply growth will curb refined... 4th June 2015 · 1 min read
Metals Chart Pack US dollar strength undermines the price rally 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... 3rd June 2015 · 1 min read
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
