Daily FNArena News - Commodities

Analysts believe iron ore prices may ease, a bit, while Chinese steel production stays firm. Alumina’s price drop is delayed while lead is a buying opportunity.

Activity in the spot uranium market was steady last week and prices ticked just a little bit higher.

Labour shortages make life hard for miners. Iron ore volatility returns, zircon prices should rebound and an oil price dip likely shortlived.

Ahead of the Herd’s Rick Mills tells a story in pictures using copper demand-supply and grade data.

Jonathan Barratt of Barratt’s Bulletin notes a flow out of gold exchange traded funds is keeping a lid on the metal despite preceptions of cheap prices.

Rio Tinto’s outlook is guardedly positive, weak gold is offering opportunity, while Credit Suisse sees some light at the end of the tunnel for nickel.

A month of uncharacteristic volatility in the global uranium market left prices lower and even more questions unanswered.

Analysts suspect iron ore’s price rebound is short term, coal is still plentiful and the copper surplus is eroding. Gold prices should ease.

There will always be demand for gold and will remain out most precious of metals, but an increasing number of analysts see it losing its shine.

We take a closer look at the latest on two of Australia’s main economic export drivers, coal and iron ore.