Energy Update What role has the Syrian crisis played in lifting oil prices? The rebound in oil prices can largely be explained by an improvement in sentiment toward demand and mounting evidence of cuts in non-OPEC supply. Admittedly, the escalation of Russia’s military... 12th October 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Further evidence that sentiment is bottoming out We do not expect the future paths to be smooth, but the rallies in commodity prices over the past week are consistent with the relatively positive views we have been expressing for some time. Indeed... 9th October 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update The turn is nigh (if it hasn’t already happened) We do not expect the future paths to be smooth, but the rallies in commodity prices over the past week are consistent with the relatively positive views we have been expressing for some time. We are... 9th October 2015 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update What’s holding back gold? The price of gold has rallied, helped by the Fed’s reluctance to raise US interest rates, but still looks likely to end the year some way below January’s peak of around $1,300 per ounce. However, gold... 8th October 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report Stocks of both crude oil and gasoline rose again last week, helped by a fall in refinery utilisation and a small rebound in US oil production. 7th October 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Chart Pack Oil prices start to recover, but coal prices tumble September was a relatively quiet month, at least for oil prices, as calm returned to Chinese equities. What’s more, oil has actually started to recover in early October as China fears subside further... 7th October 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update Cuts in investment to help oil prices recover Lower investment in oil exploration and production will lead to a sharp drop in growth in non-OPEC output over the next few years, especially from unconventional sources such as deep water and tar... 5th October 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria: Bungled policy response plunges economy into crisis The response of Nigerian policymakers to falling oil prices has only worsened their country’s economic slump. Africa’s largest economy is now on the cusp of a self-induced economic crisis. 5th October 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Focus The impact of China’s rebalancing on demand for commodities The move away from commodity-intensive investment-led growth in China towards a more consumer-driven economy is often cited as sounding the death knell for commodities demand. However, we would argue... 2nd October 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report Crude oil and gasoline stocks both jumped last week, driven by lower refinery runs, higher imports and a dip in demand for oil products. 30th September 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Rapid Response Brazil fuel price hikes to give further push to inflation 30th September 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Watch What would a hard landing in China mean for energy commodities? Fears about China’s economy have dominated headlines in recent months and have been the main factor behind the weakness in commodity prices. We have argued in previous publications that most of these... 29th September 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China’s carbon trading to curb coal demand further China’s new national carbon cap-and-trade scheme constitutes yet another blow to the prospects for coal demand and prices. In contrast, lower production of steel, aluminium and some petroleum products... 28th September 2015 · 1 min read
Frontier Markets Wrap Another drop in frontier market currencies Uncertainty over the outlook for monetary policy in the US and renewed concerns about the health of China’s economy are weighing heavily on frontier market currencies. The weakest currency has again... 25th September 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report Crude stocks fell and gasoline stocks increased in the US last week, despite a fall back in refinery rates and a jump in demand for oil products. 23rd September 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Algeria: low oil prices force authorities into action Algeria was ill-prepared to confront a period of low oil prices and, as we warned might happen, the authorities have reacted by letting the dinar weaken, while a sharp fiscal squeeze is now on the... 23rd September 2015 · 1 min read