Daily FNArena News - Commodities

Chinese steel movements pressure iron ore price but Oz miners are still competitive if price stays well above US$80/t. Base metals outlook continues to diverge.

Brokers find coal looks forlorn while gold costs loom large. Nickel is stuck in a range while oil & gas producers may soon become yield stocks.

Jonathan Barratt of Barratt’s Bulletin believes copper may have seen a low, as long as Chinese economic data pick up post the New Year’s disruption.

Short positions have increased in silver and gold while Oz copper stocks underperform the metal. Time to buy aluminium on dips, and DAP prices improve.

Analysts believe iron ore prices may ease, a bit, while Chinese steel production stays firm. Alumina’s price drop is delayed while lead is a buying opportunity.

Activity in the spot uranium market was steady last week and prices ticked just a little bit higher.

Labour shortages make life hard for miners. Iron ore volatility returns, zircon prices should rebound and an oil price dip likely shortlived.

Ahead of the Herd’s Rick Mills tells a story in pictures using copper demand-supply and grade data.

Jonathan Barratt of Barratt’s Bulletin notes a flow out of gold exchange traded funds is keeping a lid on the metal despite preceptions of cheap prices.

Rio Tinto’s outlook is guardedly positive, weak gold is offering opportunity, while Credit Suisse sees some light at the end of the tunnel for nickel.