Of particular interest this week:
Oil: Venezuela … the first casualty?
Iron Ore: How long will Tubarao be closed?
USA –sales of existing houses: The consumer appears to becoming more confident
Ni : New Caledonia unrest?
SUMMARY
Copper Zambian Cu output forecast to reduce. Political risk has risen.
Nickel Collapse of QNI could trigger New Caledonian civil unrest.
Zinc & Lead Zn demand to grow at 4% CAGR.
Tin China’s producers offer to cut production … but they want conditions … and Govt support.
Aluminium Beijing striving to manage capacity cuts across a range of commodities.
Gold Indian government’s gold monetisation scheme is reaping results.
Platinum & Palladium Prices drifting. Forecasts of improvement by end 2016.
Oil Venezuela is in trouble.
Coal Sth Korean thermal imports at record levels. Met coal sales trend pending Chinese New Year.
Iron Ore Port of Tubarao closed. Impact on seaborne iron ore trade dependent on duration.
Shipping Low demand levels put downward pressure on Cape and Panamax rates.
General
USA – Sales of Existing Houses – the consumer is confident.
USA – New Housing Starts: positive growth.
Japan – Electricity Demand – still trending downward. (a warm winter reduced demand)