Precious Metals Update Is China’s appetite for gold faltering? The slump in China’s imports of gold in August has raised concerns about the country’s appetite for the yellow metal. However, the bigger picture is one of relatively robust demand so far this year... 30th September 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Algiers unlikely to be a game-changer For the most part, commodity prices have risen this week, boosted by some weakness in the US dollar. The Fed's decision on Wednesday to keep interest rates on hold weighed on the US currency. That... 23rd September 2016 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update China’s metals imports remained subdued in August August was another weak month for China’s metals imports. In some cases, lower supply and higher prices have weighed on import volumes. However, relatively soft underlying demand could have also... 22nd September 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Dollar strength weighs on sentiment A stronger dollar, a reduction in risk appetite and a scaling back of expectations that oil producers will actually limit output made it a tough month for most commodities. However, the price of gold... 20th September 2016 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Domestic factors unlikely to cause rupee slump The rupee has been stable against the US dollar in recent months. Looking ahead, suggestions that domestic factors, including calls from within government for a devaluation of the currency and the RBI... 20th September 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Attention to return to the Fed The price of oil has taken a hit this week as hopes faded of an OPEC-led agreement between producers to freeze output. However, other industrial commodities performed somewhat better, buoyed by the... 16th September 2016 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Why are central banks giving a cold shoulder to gold in 2016? Since 2010 central banks have become major buyers of gold, accounting on average for about 10% of total gold demand over the past five years. However, demand from the official sector has been... 12th September 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly A roller-coaster week for oil The price of oil has alternately surged and plunged this week, buffeted by a sharp (but probably temporary) fall in US stocks and speculation about prospects for supply. Indeed, stability in prices... 9th September 2016 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response South Africa’s Mine Production (Jul.) South Africa’s overall mine production remained subdued in July, dragged down by yet another fall in PGM output. However, the profitability of the PGM industry has continued to improve owing to higher... 8th September 2016 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Any weakness in silver prices to be short-lived The silver price has surged this year, together with gold, bolstered by investor demand especially in the wake of the UK Brexit vote. Although prices might give up some of their recent gains when Fed... 7th September 2016 · 1 min read
Metals Chart Pack Investor interest on the wane A stronger US dollar on the back of renewed expectations that the Fed will hike rates by the end of the year weighed on the prices of most industrial and precious metals last month. The only metals... 5th September 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Prices get a payrolls boost A weaker-than-expected US employment report on Friday all but removed the prospect of a US interest rate rise this month, although we still think a hike is likely before the end of the year. The... 2nd September 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack Dollar strength weighs on commodities The prices of most commodities retreated in late August as the dollar strengthened on the back of renewed expectations that the Fed will raise rates this year. That said, activity data out of China... 1st September 2016 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Investor sentiment sours The prices of most metals fell last month, undermined by some strengthening of the US dollar as a result of renewed expectations that the Fed will raise interest rates sooner rather than later. The... 1st September 2016 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response China and India’s gold imports (Jul.) China’s gold imports resumed their upward trend last month. In contrast, India’s demand remained subdued and this weakness probably has persisted through August. That said, we expect demand from India... 25th August 2016 · 1 min read
Metals Watch Western investors to drive gold prices higher Despite subdued buying from key consumers – China and India – demand for gold had a strong first half of the year. Indeed, renewed interest from Western investors more than offset continued weakness... 18th August 2016 · 1 min read
