Daily FNArena News - Commodities

Interested uranium buyers have begun to queue in early 2015, forcing cautious sellers to back off their offer prices.

Impact on miners of oil fall; energy picks; structural changes in mineral sands; aluminium production, prices and inventory up; and gloom for thermal coal.

Spot U3O8 is on the rise and industry consultant TradeTech suggests overall activity bodes well for the first quarter of 2015.

Further downside for bulk prices envisaged; base metals have the better outlook; volatility is likely short term; and value opportunities in gold and copper.

Australia’s terms of trade position deteriorates; iron ore break even reviewed; coking coal exports slow; and copper surplus expected.

Brokers take a close look at the drivers of the aluminium market and the outlook for 2015.

Utilities appear to have satisfied their 2014 demand requirements and are looking to securing supply into 2015.

Forecasts for oil prices are revised sharply lower, with implications across the mining sector. Bell Potter looks at nickel one year on from Indonesia’s ban while Morgans contemplates miner cash piles.

Chinese commodity demand weakens; iron ore price pressures continue; Chinese policy affects thermal coal; and Oz oil producers sharpen cost cutting tools.

Activity is building in the term uranium market, where a new hybrid pricing model is emerging.