Daily FNArena News - Commodities

Miners such as BHP may force a re-evaluation of treatment and refining charges in the copper smelting industry.

The March quarter saw the highest volume of net producer de-hedging measured since late 2002.

Global demand for commodities will abate from here on and the markets will have to adjust to the new situation, BCA says.

Are iron ore prices peaking? National Australia Bank predicts a price roll over into Japanese fiscal 2008.

The price of alumina in China has begun to fall following record imports of bauxite. Unlike copper, aluminium is not plagued by low inventories and a slow production response. If aluminium breaks ranks with the metals bull market, the whole complex could come down.

It would appear that this year’s negotiations for iron ore supply contracts have resulted in a victory for the three major producers. Sources say Chinese steel mills have abandoned their resistance to the proposed 19% price rise.

Chinese steel manufacturers are about to give up their opposition to a 19% price increase for iron ore this year, media reports on the basis of anonymous sources claim.

When the dust settled, the correction we had to have was pretty mild. Chances are we can return to normal programming from here.

Chinese steel manufacturers haven’t given up their opposition to the proposed 19% price increase for iron ore just yet. Officials are suggesting ongoing negotiations are likely to extend into June.

Equity analyst Andrew Garthwaite especially likes copper, zinc and platinum.