Commodities Update Lift in wheat price is not the start of an upward trend The price of US wheat posted its first weekly rise since mid-December last week, rallying close to 5%. However, with ample global supplies, we think this rise will prove to be temporary. 9th February 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China’s commodity imports slip from December record While China’s commodity import volumes dipped in January, they are still holding up. With the exception of coal, the latest data underpin our expectation that China’s commodity imports will continue... 9th February 2015 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update How big a threat is Fed tightening to gold prices? If nothing else changes, earlier hikes in interest rates by the US central bank would be likely to undermine the prices of precious metals, notably gold and silver. The 2% fall in the gold price after... 6th February 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Positive sentiment towards agriculturals fades Abundant supplies of many agricultural commodities and concerns about weak demand are likely to be behind the general deterioration in sentiment towards agriculturals in recent weeks. Indeed, there... 6th February 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Shifting dynamics in the tin trade Indonesia’s efforts to dictate the tin market look increasingly futile as China finds a new source of tin ore and lifts domestic refined production. However, despite the changing dynamics, the bigger... 5th February 2015 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Is deflation good or bad for gold? While the price of gold may well rise further when inflation is high than when it is low, periods of deflation can also be positive for the precious metal. This is because of the financial and... 4th February 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update European gas prices set to plummet European gas prices have been under downward pressure since early 2014. Given the plunge in oil prices, plentiful LNG supplies and high storage levels, prices should continue to fall in 2015. 4th February 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Risks to the price of sugar remain to the downside We expect the price of sugar to remain close to its current level this year due to the continuing glut on the world market. A decision by India to re-introduce export subsidies would push the global... 4th February 2015 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Gold to benefit from revival of Grexit concerns Whether or not Greece ultimately exits the euro, we expect the price of gold to be boosted further this year by the return of safe-haven demand as the country’s financial problems drag on. 30th January 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Mine closures will lift zinc prices in 2015-16 Solid demand growth coupled with rapidly deteriorating mine supply prospects suggest zinc prices are set to rise in 2015-16. However, the potential for the release of unofficial stocks and restarts of... 30th January 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Bargain hunting to boost China’s commodity imports in 2015 Opportunistic buying supported strong growth in Chinese imports of many industrial commodities in 2014. We expect this trend to continue this year, supporting prices. 30th January 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update What next for the dysfunctional aluminium market? The aluminium market remains dysfunctional, as high stocks struggle to find their way onto the market, leading to elevated price premiums. Supply into the physical market should improve this year... 29th January 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Ukraine’s move to curb wheat exports won’t stop prices falling Given ample global wheat supplies we don’t expect Ukraine’s announcement that it will limit wheat exports over the next six months to have much of an impact on the market. We therefore continue to... 29th January 2015 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Platinum prices to rise on buoyant jewellery demand The fall in the platinum price in H2 2014 has made the metal look increasingly good value. We expect strong growth in jewellery demand, notably in Asia, the release of some pent-up demand for new cars... 28th January 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update Rise in US oil stocks supports spot prices The surge in US stocks of oil in the last few weeks has been driven at least in part by attempts to arbitrage low spot prices with higher futures ones. This should support prices over the next few... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Outlook for US homebuilding is positive for lumber Stronger economic growth in the US and rising wages should provide a platform for a rebound in the number of housing starts this year, boosting the price of lumber. 26th January 2015 · 1 min read