Of particular interest this week:
Price increases forecast for Cu & Ni.
El Nino effects on the east and west sides of the Pacific.
China: ferrous materials slowing. non-ferrous showing growth.
Gold – China and other Central Bank’s holdings.
Singapore shipping – growth in bulks (only)!
SUMMARY
Copper Antofagasta looks for a 2016 improvement in price. Chile forecasts a 2017 recovery.
Nickel WSA anticipates price rally in Dec 15 Qtr. GMFS forecasts stronger prices in 2016.
Zinc & Lead Hindustan Zinc plans to increase mine output. GMFS sees modest Zn price uptick in 2016.
Tin El Nino to boost Indonesian & Malaysian mine production.
Aluminium Alcoa to begin shipping bauxite to Asian customers in 2016.
Gold China increased Central Bank Holdings in September. A comparison with other countries.
Platinum & Palladium Pt price less than Au price. Is this a permanent shift?
Oil USA blocks American oil exploration in the Arctic.
Coal China’s major miners reduced prices ahead of domestic thermal price contract negotiations.
Iron Ore BHP comments that it has not seen anyone’s cashflow positive operations being closed.
Shipping Cape rates softened on lower demand this week.
General
Singapore Shipping – Growth continues.
Baker Hughes Rig Counts – Middle East holding steady. All other regions reduced.
USA – Industrial Production (slowed down) & Capacity Utilisation – reduced for manufacturing.
China – Industrial output – building materials & ferrous materials slow, but non-ferrous materials have positive growth.