Of particular interest this week:
Gold: Venezuela – a candidate for default.
Oil: OPEC not holding back on production.
Nickel: El Nino to extend the mining season.
Copper: power cuts tighten supply.
SUMMARY
Copper Zambian copper miners struggling with power cuts. Antofagasta M&A
Nickel El Nino may extend Philppines’ nickel mining season this year.
Zinc & Lead Vedanta Resources expects global zinc supply to fall by 5% this year.
Tin Indonesian new tin export regulations come into effect on 1 August, and may delay exports.
Aluminium Alumina smelter cuts in China may boost prices.
Gold Venezuela may default! India’s gold jewellery exports may grow upon hallmarking.
Platinum & Palladium NUM has signed an agreement with Northam Platinum.
Oil OPEC oil output at record levels.
Coal China coking coal restocking. August is normally a soft month for coal and steel demand in China.
Iron Ore China’s iron ore concentrate prices rising, volumes falling.
Shipping Australian port maintenance to impact on vessel queues.
General
Global vehicle production – good near term and long term (cagr) growth.
USA: Durable Goods, Vehicle Orders, Orders for Computers – improving.
Japan: Industrial Production – recovering (slowly).