Base Metals and Minerals

Ahead of the Herd’s Rick Mills expects cobalt’s profile will continue to grow in coming years.

A deal offered by French banks on Greek debt helped ease fears and turn Wall Street around last night. Dow up 108.

A glance through the latest expert views and predictions about commodities, with NAB’s latest update on commodity markets suggesting prices should find support this year but ease in 2012.

Wrap of events affecting the market on Friday night and the weekend and a preview of the week ahead.

Chinese and European PMIs, US data, strategic oil reserve release, and then a new Greek austerity plan. From 234 points down, the Dow closed down only 59.

A survey of fund mangers by Russell Investments has shown a more uncertain outlook, with defensive assets currently favoured over growth assets.

Barclays Capital has reviewed expectations for commodity markets, seeing diverse performance among the base metals but broadly positive performance for the precious metals.

A glance through the latest expert views and predictions about commodities with subdued outlooks evident for lead, nickel and uranium, still positive conditions for PGMs, some cracks emerging in China and why sector consolidation may increase.

In a review of nickel, Ahead of the Herd’s Rick Mills suggests investors should have one or two junior nickel plays on their radar screens.

Wall Street took a tumble in the last hour as Bernanke admitted US economic problems may not necessarily all be temporary. Dow down 80. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEDT)