Daily FNArena News - Commodities

Ahed of the Herd’s Rick Mills suggests graphite should be on the radar screen of all investors.

A glance through the latest expert views and predictions about commodities in regard to zinc smelting, platinum versus gold, China and the silver price, US steel output, and the cheap gas impact on iron ore.

Jonathan Barratt of Barratt’s Bulletin considers the implications of the recent surge in Chinese copper imports.

No spot uranium transactions were reported last week but the first approvals of new US reactors since 1978 had market participants talking.

Jonathan Barratt of Barratt’s Bulletin looks at oil’s recent price break-up and discusses the next move.

Ahead of the Herd’s Rick Mills continues to suggest investors should look at opportunities among “critical” materials (including rare earth) plays.

A glance through the latest expert views and predictions about commodities with updated views on recent base metal price gains, China the key to the manganese market and Citi remains positive on the bulks.

Even allowing for a bursting of the Chinese property bubble, steel industy consultant MEPS sees positives for steel demand in that country, while noting conditions are also improving in the US market.

Silver has been the best performed of the precious metals so far in 2012 and the key for prices according to both Barclays Capital and RBS will be investor demand.

Utilities have been absent from a uranium spot market hampered by demand from Europe unable to match up with supply in the US. Down ticks the spot price.