Of particular interest this week:
Copper – production suspended at Grasberg.
Nickel – price support near USD 17,000/t.
World Steel – August – positive growth (seasonal influences distract Europe).
Japan – selected segments of Orders to Machinery.
USA – Orders to Durable Goods et al
SUMMARY
Copper – Grassberg suspended production on fatal in-pit collision.
Nickel – Price supported near USD 17,000/t.
Zinc & Lead – The Hera process plant is on track for Aurelia (AMI)’s first concentrate sales in December.
Tin – Indonesian Police hunting illegal metal exports.
Aluminium – Chinese smelters restarting in anticipation of deficits improving prices.
Gold – India’s festive season (August to Oct) to peak in October.
Platinum & Palladium – Palladium prices to hinge on stocks behind the ‘state secrets’ veil in Russia.
Oil – Calls for OPEC to prevent a further slide in oil prices.
Coal – Dec 14 Qtr HCC & LVPCI benchmark prices set. Thermal Sept (annual) contract expected soon.
Iron Ore – Chinese avg daily steel output rates up (Sept). Iron output in Sierra Leone impacted by Ebola.
Shipping – Earnings edged lower for capes and panamax. Dour outlook.
General – Economics
World Steel – August production – continued positive annual growth, but seasonally slow August.
USA– Orders for Durable Goods, Vehicles, and Computers & Electronics. Good growth.
Japan – Segments of Orders to Machinery (July data) – mostly good positive growth.