SUMMARY
Copper – China’s copper imports dropped to the lowest since April 2013.
Nickel – India now ranks as the third largest consumer and producer of stainless steel.
Zinc & Lead – BMW reports record car sales for the June14 HY. Zn prices responding to decreasing inventory.
Tin – Tin market dampened by emergence of “hidden” stocks.
Aluminium – RIO evaluating expansion of Embley. Other small companies also evaluating bauxite.
Gold – Comex’ precious metal trading margins reduced.
Platinum & Palladium – Prices up on FOMC delay to raise interest rates, and further South African unrest.
Oil – Kurds seize Kirkuk fields. ISIS smuggling out USD 1m/day of oil. .
Coal – Indonesian royalty increases. Indian power stations short of feed.
Iron Ore – Prices inch upwards. Baoshan holds product prices steady though seasonal summer softness.
Shipping – Panamax rates recovered – catch up to Capes.
General
Currency Indexes: CNY, USD, EUR, JPY, AUD.
Germany: Industrial Production, Durable Goods, Construction – continues positive growth.