Of particular interest this week:
Zinc – check the TC/RC’s as market indicators.
Oil – change of Saudi minsters
Baker Hughes Rig Counts (Saudi hit the spot).
SUMMARY
Copper RIO approved expansion of Oyu Tolgoi.
Nickel Nickel inventories still considered too high. About 60% of producers losing cash at current prices.
Zinc & Lead Watch zinc smelter treatment charges for readings on market condition.
Tin Alphamin – Tin in the Congo, with challenges.
Aluminium Shanxi province suspending approvals of all new ferroalloy, aluminium and steel projects.
Gold Blackham (BLK) secures hedging to cover start-up at Matilda.
Platinum & Palladium Platinum jewellery challenging gold for market demand in Indian cities.
Oil Saudi Arabia –change of oil ministers.
Coal Aust met-coal exports down for Mar16Qtr, despite China pickup.
Iron Ore Significant part of idled Chinese steel capacity comes back on line.
Shipping Cape rates and Panamax rates down.
General
Baker Hughes Drill Rig Counts – a bit more perspective. (Saudi may have found the solution it has been seeking).
USA – Construction Spending – level still high, but growth slowed from July 2015.
Japan – Industrial Production – down yr-on-yr but picked up in February.