Of particular interest this week:
Zinc: Details of history of supply, consumption and trade. This market was in deficit in 2014, but 2015 is not exactly shaping up the same way.
Copper: supply constraints continue to emerge.
Nickel: miners see opportunity in M&A. Analysts are mixed.
Greece (see Gold): a timetable for kicking the can down the road.
SUMMARY
Copper Supply of Cu concentrate from Chile shrank more than expected. This constraint is yet to flow into the metal market.
Nickel Contrasting forecasts from analysts. Miners are acquiring Ni assets ahead of a Ni market revival.
Zinc & Lead Japan and China to boost Zn exports as domestic demand weakens. Market is currently in surplus.
Pb TC’s into China expected to increase in July.
Tin Indonesia forming a new tin policy. Attempts to control pricing have been unsuccessful so far. (nb: detailed global production graph)
Aluminium Chinese smelter cash costs reduced further. Japanese inventories increased, premiums halved.
Gold Greece’s (original) repayment schedule. The can will be kicked a little way down the road.
Platinum & Palladium South Africa’s Pt sector is at a critical point.
Oil Oil rig counts (in USA) increased for the first time since Dec 2014.
Coal Japan’s METI plans to switch existing coal-fired plants to new (cleaner) coal-fired technology.
Iron Ore Shipments from Pt Hedland at record levels in June.
Shipping China now accepts Valemax sized ore carriers into its ports.
General
Zinc: a synopsis of Production, Consumption and Trade
USA: Purchasing Managers’ Index – positive outlook.
Construction Spending – continuing to grow.
Japan: Industrial Production – slowed.