Daily FNArena News - Commodities

Macquarie asks why Chile’s mine output is up but refined copper falls. Citi disputes a deficit in aluminium is looming. High gas prices will force contraction in domestic usage, observes Goldman Sachs.

Iron ore and copper look like winners, gold prices may ease before recovering and a supply shortfall is looming in tin.

January saw a jump in activity in the uranium market over a quiet December.

Might be time to re-rate resource stocks, in CIMB’s view. Goldman Sachs looks at sustainable capex for the big two miners. Macquarie anticipates 2014 will still be the Year of China.

Disparities in the aluminium market have analysts perplexed while mineral sands should improve this year and diesel is still powering platinum usage.

The spot uranium price has dipped again while the world awaits a decision from Japan and analysts argue over the outlook.

Grain prices are expected to stay high and gold is subdued. The copper balance is teetering while zinc is definitely in surplus. Goldman finds thermal coal productivity a mixed blessing.

It was last August when an institutional buyer entered the spot market for a sizeable volume of uranium. They’re back.

Macquarie thinks 2014 could be a significant year for small copper stocks, while iron ore strength continues. Citi turns bullish on miners and JP Morgan suspects coal prices will disappoint.

Aluminium and nickel prices potentially should be squeezed by Indonesia’s export ban, but there are many reasons why they won’t be.