Of particular interest this week:
Indonesia: may relax its rules on export of concentrates, for copper.
Iron ore: Chinese output shrinking heavily.
Rolls Royce: to make an Al-chassis SUV.
Saudi’s Stand: Morphing away from a swing producer into a low-cash cost role.
USA: economic readings indicate steady growth.
SUMMARY
Copper Indonesia may relax / vary its laws on building smelters for copper concentrates.
Nickel Seeking catalysts such as decline in LME inventory. May be starting to turn now?
Zinc & Lead Zinc inventories continue to decline. The market looks forward to impact of mine closures.
Tin Indonesian producers embark on yet another quota-based attempt to boost tin prices.
Aluminium Rolls Royce to make a ‘SUV’ with an aluminium chassis.
Gold FOMC minutes cautious tone. Potential for Australian M&A.
Platinum & Palladium Demand for Pt for diesel is under threat.
Oil Saudi is morphing away from a swing producer role, to a role befitting its lower cash cost position.
Coal Meek recovery for HCC in 2015. Aust. thermal negotiations lifting targets. Indonesia-coal royalties.
Iron Ore China to relax its Vale-max restrictions, benefitting Vale.
Shipping Chinese New Year period: Commodity markets slow. Capesize rates down. Panamax up.
General
USA: New Housing Starts – +ve growth continues.
Industrial Production – steady growth.
Capacity Utilisation
Japan: – Electricity Demand – reduced total demand.
World Steel: – reduced output in January for most producers.