Commodities Update Silver: a star performer but will this last? Silver has been the best performing of the major commodities so far in 2012, rising by around 22% in dollar terms and even outpacing the 12% increase for gold. However, while we expect renewed... 3rd February 2012 · 1 min read
DM Markets Chart Pack Can the good times continue to roll? “Risky” assets have made a bright start to 2012. Investors have welcomed a recent improvement in the US economic data, signs of greater fiscal coordination in the euro-zone as well as more support... 2nd February 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update A cautionary note on copper January’s recovery in the price of copper was driven by four positives, none of which we expect to be sustained. Accordingly, despite hopes elsewhere of a sustained surge past $10,000 per tonne, from... 2nd February 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack New Year rally built on shaky foundations January was a better month for commodities, supported by hopes of an improvement in the global macroeconomic and financial backdrop. However, the recovery in the US economy has yet to convince even... 1st February 2012 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Was the Fed statement really so positive for commodities? The prices of most commodities, like those other riskier assets, have been rising after Wednesday’s Fed statement was widely interpreted as a “pledge” to keep US interest rates on hold until the end... 27th January 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Cotton rally set to unravel Optimism about China’s demand and an improvement in general risk appetite among investors have led to a 10% increase in the benchmark Memphis cotton price, to around 90 cents per lb, from its 2011 low... 26th January 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Savings hold the key to dealing with falling commodity prices The recent rebound in commodity prices has eased concerns about growth outlook for Latin America. But the key point remains that the windfall from high prices has been spent, rather than saved... 26th January 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Will Chesapeake’s supply cut rescue US natural gas prices? The announcement of a production cut by the second largest US natural gas producer, Chesapeake, caused the US natural gas price to jump yesterday. However, we do not expect this to stop the price of... 24th January 2012 · 1 min read
Global Markets Outlook Market implications of an EMU break-up Risky asset markets have generally made a bright start to 2012. But our central scenario envisages a break-up of EMU this year initially involving Greece’s departure, an outcome that would presumably... 24th January 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China’s growth will not be enough to avert price declines In keeping with much of this week’s China data, today’s flash estimate of the manufacturing PMI supports our view that the economy is heading for a soft landing in 2012. However, we still do not think... 20th January 2012 · 1 min read
UK Markets Chart Pack Growth fears drive gilt yields lower The further drop in gilt yields appears to have reflected declining expectations for GDP growth and related falls in long-term interest rate expectations, rather than fiscal developments. Indeed, the... 19th January 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi Oil Minister’s comments point to higher spending in 2012 Comments earlier this week from Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi indicating that the government is comfortable with a crude oil price of $100pb (up from $70-80 previously) suggests that public... 18th January 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Saudi comments point to lower oil prices The publication of OPEC’s monthly oil market report today has been overshadowed by two comments from Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi. First, Mr al-Naimi confirmed that Saudi output could be increased... 16th January 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Corn prices yet to find their floor The benchmark corn future in the US has already fallen by 50 cents to just over 600 cents per bushel after the world agricultural supply and demand report published yesterday by the US Department of... 13th January 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Three Iran scenarios for the oil price The main driver of global oil prices so far this year has been concern about the potential disruption to supplies from the Middle East as a result of tensions with Iran. This Update looks at three... 12th January 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update What’s really behind the rewidening of the Brent-WTI spread? Most analysts attribute the renewed increase in the differential between the prices of Brent crude and WTI over the last few days primarily to changes in the composition of the two major commodity... 12th January 2012 · 1 min read
