SUMMARY
Copper Commodity price downturn impacted African economies, notably Zambia.
Nickel Ni market in deficit in January. Shanghai Exchange adds warehouse capacity.
Zinc & Lead Zn & Pb markets in small deficits. Energia announced maiden Resource at Gorno.
Tin Strongbow to acquire 26 tin mine sin Cornwall.
Aluminium JP Morgan Chase holds more than 50% of LME aluminium stocks.
Gold Canada divests its foreign reserve gold holdings.
Platinum & Palladium Amplats seeking temperance in wage negotiations.
Oil Saudi Arabia begins austerity measures. USA adds one oil rig to its count. Looming stability?
Coal Jun16Qtr coking coal prices expected to increase at meetings this week. Colombian strike averted.
Iron Ore IMF revised global growth rates. China’s growth outlook slowed further (slightly).
Shipping Cape rates down but Panamax rates improved.
General
Singapore: Port traffic. Bulks and tankers strong. Containers recovering. Growth is afoot!
USA: Housing Starts, Industrial Production, Capacity Utilisation, Electricity End-Use. Compare the old USA electricity growth with China’s more recent rates!
Japan: Electricity demand – reducing, except from chemicals and base metals.
Germany: Industrial production, Durable goods orders, Construction orders – looks healthy.