Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report As we expected crude oil production rebounded last week but many refineries remained shut, swelling crude stocks and pulling down gasoline inventories. Next week’s report should show a significant... 13th September 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Update More bad news for grains & soybeans prices The US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s latest set of estimates painted a broadly bearish picture for grains – notably corn – and soybeans. While the price of wheat increased following the release... 13th September 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Update OPEC open to extending output deal OPEC has recently been hinting that it may prolong its production cuts. However, some members are planning to increase output next year and compliance with the current agreement will probably have to... 13th September 2017 · 1 min read
OPEC Watch Lower OPEC production likely to be temporary OPEC production fell last month, but early indicators suggest that it is likely to rebound in September. Unless output falls significantly over the next six months, stocks will remain above their five... 12th September 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Will tougher sanctions on North Korea work? The United Nations has agreed a new set of sanctions on North Korea, which while falling short of what was originally demanded by the US, constitute the strongest sanctions ever imposed on the country... 12th September 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Is this the end of the price rally in metals? The impact of hurricanes in the US provided direction for many commodities this week. The price of crude oil started to recover as refineries in Texas restarted, but some agriculturals made gains on... 8th September 2017 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Investors’ support for palladium to fade We believe that increased speculative activity was the main driver of the recent rally in the price of palladium, which hit a 16-year high on Monday. While it is difficult to know when, if ever... 8th September 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Would the yen remain a safe haven during a Korean War? The experience of the last couple of weeks suggests that gold might be the better safe haven choice if war were to break out on the Korean peninsula. Nonetheless, on the evidence of past crises, the... 8th September 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China’s ore imports continue to rise China’s commodity import volumes picked up in August as rising metals prices encouraged refiners and steel mills to import raw materials. However, we expect import volumes to subside later in the year... 8th September 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report Refinery shutdowns due to Hurricane Harvey caused a surge in crude oil stocks but a slump in gasoline inventories last week. Stocks are likely to be exceptionally volatile over the next month. 7th September 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response South Africa’s Mine Production (Jul.) The weak July data for South Africa’s PGM mine output add to evidence that the market is tightening. We expect output to remain soft in the remainder of the year. 7th September 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Update Hurricane Harvey to depress US oil demand Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are likely to have a larger negative impact on US oil demand than on oil production over the next few months, which could delay market rebalancing. 6th September 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Chart Pack Chinese growth pushes up energy commodities The strength of the Chinese economy supported the prices of many energy commodities last month. Imports of oil, coal and LNG remained high and domestic consumption appeared to be strong. However, we... 5th September 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Still cautious on copper … A combination of investor optimism about future demand, the depreciation of the dollar and disruptions to mine supply have been the key drivers of this year’s rally in the price of copper. But, in our... 5th September 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Chart Pack Metals on a tear, for now The prices of most metals rose in the last month. (See Chart.) Robust Chinese economic data boosted investor sentiment towards industrial metals. However, in many cases, we fear that underlying demand... 4th September 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly China data support metals rally The prices of most commodities rose this week. Another set of strong manufacturing PMIs in China supported industrial metals prices whilst a flare-up in tensions between the US and North Korea boosted... 1st September 2017 · 1 min read
