Daily FNArena News - Commodities

Chinese zinc exports are expected to drop off in the near term but substitution is rife in the nickel market.

Natexis Commodity Markets suggests gold is not the only previous metal with a bullish outlook, suggesting there is still upside in silver and the platinum group metals.

Talk appears to have turned into action according to the latest IMF statistics.

Westpac Bank agrees with ANZ Bank that commodity prices will be volatile this year but has taken a far more negative view on the price outlook, expecting increased supply to drive down prices.

GaveKal is forced to admit its previously bearish view on oil is under threat.

Demand remains fairly straightforward, but supply continues to be the influencing (and volatile) factor in base metal price forecasts.

Nickel has remained surprisingly strong amidst increased volatility and selling pressure for metals in 2007. Expert opinions remain sharply divided about the way forward.

It’s “Moderate Overweight” only, but Merrill Lynch strategists have lifted their resources sector weighting from Neutral. Elsewhere, Rio gets a downgrade.

IMF sales are just one piece in a bullish gold puzzle, according to the biggest coin dealer in the US.

Steel industry consultant MEPS believes inflated global prices are about to correct for stainless steel products.