Daily FNArena News

A glance through the latest expert views and predictions about commodities with some mixed views emerging for bulk materials but general upward trends in base metal and gold prices seen as sustainable.

Less than one fifth of Australian companies have reported to date but the early signs are relatively disappointing, brokers have decided.

Chinese apparent oil demand weakened in July and may decline further in coming months but analysts still see further price gains as the uptrend in global oil consumption remains intact.

Where is the Minerals Council of Australia in the public debate about increased taxes for miners, asks Minelife’s Gavin Wendt.

The August results season has only just started, but I have already drawn conclusions and made observations that can be important for investors.

Myer recorded a mixed 4Q sales result but lifted earnings guidance for the full year, the result being brokers remain generally positive on the outlook for the stock.

US bank repossessions of mortgaged residential property were the second highest on record in July.

The TechWizard believes more weakness should be expected for the price of crude oil.

This week’s banks results have convinced brokers the earnings bounce once expected in FY11 will now be an FY12 story – hopefully.

A snapshot of economist responses to today’s Australian employment data for July, where jobs again increased but the unemployment rate also rose thanks to a higher participation rate.