Commodities Update Geopolitics takes centre stage Investor sentiment towards commodities has remained broadly positive over the last month, despite rising geopolitical tensions. It could be that signs of an improving global economic outlook are... 18th April 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China’s commodity imports grow, but so do stocks Strong growth in China’s commodity imports in March would, at first glance, appear to be supportive of commodity prices. However, the rise in stocks of some commodities suggests that the buying has... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Stocks edge lower There was a general drawdown of stocks over the last month, albeit on a relatively small scale. The main exception was inventories of tin, which have fallen by nearly 25% in the last four weeks... 11th April 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Update Is the oil market as oversupplied as US crude stocks imply? Relentless growth in inventories of US crude oil caused prices to slump in March. However, the headline stocks figures are potentially a little misleading and we think that the market is probably... 10th April 2017 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Central banks’ gold demand wanes The latest data show only a slight increase in central banks’ holdings of gold in February. We anticipate that this weakness will persist throughout 2017. 7th April 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Update What does the US strike on Syria mean for commodities? The potential for further escalation of the conflict in Syria has boosted the prices of oil and gold today. But taking a step back, OPEC supply cuts and growth in demand should be the main drivers of... 7th April 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Some wider implications of a rebound in shale activity Demand for tubular steel and distillates in the US is likely to receive a boost from the ongoing revival in oil drilling activity. This will be a factor supporting prices, at least in the US market. 6th April 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Investors turn more bearish on metals Sentiment towards metals has soured somewhat over the past few weeks. We think that, in some cases valuations still look stretched, given prospects for further monetary tightening in the US and softer... 29th March 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Update Trump ends the “war on coal” The prices of US natural gas and renewable power are likely to be far more important to the US coal industry than President Trump’s attempts to deregulate and revitalise it. 29th March 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Update Europe’s oil demand should continue to grow in 2017 Robust economic growth in Europe’s key economies should support oil demand this year. Indeed, a pickup in global economic growth is likely to help to absorb the excess oil supplies in the market which... 28th March 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Is there really a shortage of zinc? The price of zinc has climbed higher since the start of 2017 on expectations that strong demand coupled with dwindling supply, following last year’s output cuts and mine closures, would lead to a... 24th March 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update China’s metals imports sink China’s metals imports appear to have started the year on a soft note. Higher prices might have deterred purchases but we think that, in some cases, demand has also been sluggish. That said, we are... 23rd March 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Update China’s coal demand to resume downward trend Cold weather and strong economic growth have supported coal consumption in China recently. But a slowing economy and strong growth in renewables should undermine demand later in the year. 23rd March 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Commodities shrug off tighter monetary policy The prices of most commodities rose in the wake of the 25bp hike in US interest rates and the 10bp rise in China’s interest rates this week. While tighter monetary policy represents a headwind for... 17th March 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Update Will OPEC extend its production cuts? Steadily rising crude stocks and falling prices have made it more likely that OPEC will prolong its production cuts beyond June. However, there are significant hurdles which will need to be overcome... 16th March 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Commodities unfazed by US monetary tightening Yesterday’s US rate hike was widely anticipated, but we expect the Fed to accelerate the pace of tightening in 2017. That said, US interest rates will remain historically low and, in any case, other... 16th March 2017 · 1 min read
