Daily FNArena News

A glance through the latest expert views and predictions about commodities with updates on the oil, precious metal and bulk commodity outlooks and revisions to expectations.

Weather, maintenance, strikes, low gas prices – it was all happening in the March quarter for BHP. But brokers remain focussed on that perceived long term value.

The rising cost of opex and capex combined with high funding costs and lower commodity prices is beginning to impact on the viability of some Australian mining juniors.

Grange Resources delivered a solid March quarter production report and with the Southdown project DFS due this month brokers continue to see value.

Robert Clayton of GTL Management suggests oil could run to US$105, then US$110, and even on to US$122. That’s WTI, not Brent.

Jonathan Barratt of Barratt’s Bulletin reports on the LME’s intention to cement its global influence by introducing a renminbi settlement option.

BC Iron has delivered a solid March quarter production report despite some poor weather conditions and brokers continue to rate the stock as a Buy.

Equity strategists have begun to upgrade from Sell ratings on the Australian resources sector as fears ease of an imminent Chinese hard landing.

Across the market copper price expectations have been updated, with pressure anticipated in coming months before a pick-up in prices in 2H12.

In the view of Investment U there are a number of reasons why the current bull run in equities isn’t over yet.