Analysis Topic: Commodity Markets - Metals, Softs & Oils

The analysis published under this topic are as follows.

Friday, September 30, 2011

US Oil Boom / Commodities / Oil Companies

By: Zeal_LLC

With the world forging ahead in this modern industrial and technological era, the king of commodities continues to flex its muscles as the most indispensable of resources.  Oil, the lubricant of global commerce, is seeing record levels of demand.

Amazingly global oil demand is up nearly 50% in just the last 25 years.  In 2010 it is estimated that a record 87m barrels per day (bpd) were consumed, surpassing the previous high from 2007.  And it is forecasted that 2011’s will come in even higher, at around 89m bpd.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Don't Panic on Precious Metals Tumble / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: John_Browne

Fall officially began on September 21, but it's not just leaves that are cascading downward. In the few market days of the new season, precious metals prices have seen significant drops, some 11% for gold and 31% for silver. In its lurch downward, gold plowed through support levels at $1,750, $1,700, and $1,645 an ounce. I'm sure many readers are concerned.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Gold Ends September 16% Below Peak / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: Adrian_Ash

WHOLESALE gold prices drifted lower in London after rising in Asia on Friday morning, set for their biggest monthly drop against the Dollar since the Lehmans' crash of Oct. 2008 but finishing the third-quarter of 2011 more than 13% higher.

US equities and crude oil prices have lost 12.5% since end-June. Copper has fallen over 25% and the silver price has lost 13.1%.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Gold Steadies, Inflation Rises in Eurozone, Stagflation Beckons / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: GoldCore

Gold is trading at USD 1,619.95, EUR 1,207.17, GBP 1,045.29, JPY 125,291, AUD 1,679.09 and CHF 1,469.15 per ounce.

Gold’s London AM fix this morning was USD 1,629.00, EUR 1,204.26,and GBP 1,042.63 per ounce.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Hedge Fund Action Doesn’t Change Gold and Silver Fundamentals / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: Dr_Jeff_Lewis

Last week, hedge funds sold off their bullion holdings in what was a monumental run to the exits.  As the price of silver and gold trended higher against declines in other commodities, equities, and so-called risk assets, the price for bullion gave institutional investors the comfort they needed to boost cash.

But how much has changed since hedge funds eased up on margin plays in commodities?

Friday, September 30, 2011

Physical Silver Shortage to Follow Paper Selloff / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: Dr_Jeff_Lewis

In less than one week, the price of silver gave up some 9 months of gains in a move from $40 per ounce to $28.  The current price for silver, which is the lowest price in 9 months, is sure to create shortages for physical silver.

The physical silver market is very much its own market, one which is dominated by small silver investors and coin collectors.  Compared to Wall Street, where margins change in a matter of minutes, and global issues permeate throughout trading floors, the local coin dealer hasn’t changed in decades, let alone the past few weeks.

Friday, September 30, 2011

China’s Rare Earths Monopoly - Peril or Opportunity? / Commodities / Metals & Mining

By: OilPrice_Com

The prosperity of China’s “authoritarian capitalism” is increasingly rewriting the ground-rules worldwide on the capitalist principles that have dominated the West’s economy for nearly two centuries.

Nowhere is this shadow war more between the two systems more pronounced than in the global arena of production of rare earths elements (RREs), where China currently holds a de facto monopoly, raising concerns from Washington through London to Tokyo about what China might do with its hand across the throat of high-end western technology.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

China's Rare Earths Monopoly - Peril or Opportunity? / Commodities / Metals & Mining

By: OilPrice_Com

The prosperity of China's "authoritarian capitalism" is increasingly rewriting the ground-rules worldwide on the capitalist principles that have dominated the West's economy for nearly two centuries.

Nowhere is this shadow war more between the two systems more pronounced than in the global arena of production of rare earths elements (RREs), where China currently holds a de facto monopoly, raising concerns from Washington through London to Tokyo about what China might do with its hand across the throat of high-end western technology.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Greek Default, Eurozone/Bank Crisis and the Effect on Gold, Silver Prices / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: Julian_DW_Phillips

We agree with Professor Rogoff that Greece should have defaulted some time ago. Despite all the current efforts, Greece will default and that contagion will result in a global, banking crisis. Even if we're wrong, the mountains of money that will be created and poured into the debt hole will benefit the gold and silver prices. The Greek debt crisis is about stemming the spread of bank runs, the breakdown of the other PIIGS countries debt situation, and potentially the fragmentation of the Eurozone. We're on the brink.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Polish Natural Gas Energy Revolution Begins / Commodities / Natural Gas

By: Money_Morning

Dr. Kent Moors writes: Poland has formally embarked on a new energy course - one whose impact will be felt throughout Europe and beyond.

Visiting the first advanced drilling site in eastern Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk last week committed the country to extracting shale gas beginning in 2014. This will fundamentally transform the nation's energy prospects.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

U.S. Dollar to Rocket Higher and Gold and Silver Lower / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: Chris_Vermeulen

Over the past week precious metal investors have had a wakeup call from their big shiny nest eggs. Last week’s free fall in both gold and silver spot prices was enough to get investors into a panic. More on this in a minute though...

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Gold Stocks Continue To Disappoint / Commodities / Gold & Silver Stocks

By: Bob_Kirtley

The recent major rally in gold is now experiencing a correction, so it is time to take a look at how gold stocks compared to a number of other gold trading vehicles. Quite frankly, it was abysmal. The argument that gold stocks are still the best gold trading vehicle is absolutely absurd. That being said, this article is in no way trying to discredit any gold mining, exploration companies or the efforts of the industry. The aim of this article is to simply show that gold stocks in general are unsuitable when trying to benefit from rising gold prices.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Gold and Silver Producers Due for Big Upside / Commodities / Gold & Silver Stocks

By: The_Gold_Report

Mike Kachanovsky, known as "Mexico Mike," doesn't follow the so-called smart money. Founder of the website smartinvestment.ca, Mexico Mike believes mainstream commentators are leading investors astray by insisting that it is too late to get into mining stocks and precious metals. In this exclusive interview with The Gold Report, Mexico Mike explains why everyone needs to have some exposure to precious metals and gives his favorite prospects.

The Gold Report: Gold juniors fared worse than most equities in the economic collapse of 2008. Now economic fears are gripping the market once again. The S&P 500 has been trending down since mid-June. Many fear a double-dip recession—if not worse. Why do you still believe in junior precious metal equities given the current market conditions?

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Explaining Gold to Your Financial Advisor / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: Adrian_Ash

"You wanna do what? Make a gold investment? At these prices...?!"

HAVING TROUBLE explaining to your financial advisor why you might want to make a gold investment today?

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Are Gold and Silver Bugs Running Scared? / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: Eric_McWhinnie

Since touching $1,535 briefly on Monday, gold prices have rallied and even stabilized above $1600.  Silver, which touched near $26 on Monday, has climbed back above $30.  The precious metals seem to be at the whims of Europe and a strengthening US dollar.  Furthermore, Germany (Europe’s economic powerhouse), does not appear to be pleased with the latest so-called sovereign debt crisis solution.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Electric Car Fantasy And The Real World / Commodities / US Auto's

By: Andrew_McKillop

A CAREFUL AVOIDANCE OF REALITY
With a few clicks on a touchpad or mouse we can align a forest of nice arguments and reasons for the coming all-electric car fleets of the consumer world, usually starting and ending with the threat of $200-a-barrel oil but also including Al Gore's touching calls for protecting polar bears from global warming. We can also find that both oil exporting Norway and Saudi Arabia have elites who take a major interest in electric car investing, or at least in-and-out financial plays, but in the Norwegian case its elites also continue to defend the national sport of hunting and killing whales, while worrying in public about polar bears and the "possible 7 metre rise" in world sea levels that burning Norwegian oil might cause, by about 2075.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

China Eyes West Africa’s Iron Ore: Junior Posts Positive Drill Results / Commodities / Metals & Mining

By: Submissions

Chris Devauld writes: Despite the ongoing economic turmoil and growing concern over a slowdown in global steel production, Chinese demand for iron ore remains strong. Having imported 618 million tons last year, China is by far the world’s largest iron consumer. China only produces 14% of the world’s Fe, while consuming approximately 50% of it. With 85% of its iron ore coming from Australia, Brazil, India and South Africa, the economic giant finds itself in a war to break from its dependence upon the “Big 3” producers—BHP Billiton [BHP-NYSE] , Rio Tinto [RIO-NYSE] and Vale [VALE-NYSE].

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Corruption and Financial Manipulation Behind Gold and Silver Takedown / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: Bob_Chapman

The takedown of gold and silver markets over the past two weeks signified a new milestone in corruption, brazenness, arrogance and it reveals the level of evil control behind our government. This past week, in just one week, saw gold fall almost $200 and silver about $10.00. We have been involved in gold and silver for 53 years and the only event that comes close to this was October 19, 1987, when we witnessed the Bank of England sell down gold $100.00 under the orders of the Fed and the US Treasury, which borrowed the gold from the IMF. That was illegal, but that means little to the Illuminists who do as they please. Today thanks to Ronald Reagan we have the “President’s Working Group on Financial Markets,” which has legitimatized corruption to conform to the Keynesian model of corporatist fascism. After the close on Friday we were informed, that the CME, which controls the Comex, had raised margin requirements on gold by 21%, silver 16% and in copper by 18%. In retrospect it is obvious that many banking insiders and traders knew early in the week that this momentous psychological warfare was going to be unleashed on these markets. Your government definitely rigged these markets. Today in America and many other places as well, crime pays. What has been done to investors over this past week is not only a crime, but also a disgrace to all Americans.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Gold Seasonality and a Convergence of Events at the End of November 2011 / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: Jesse

As an aside, the lease rates for gold went negative about four days before the recent bear raids in the metals markets began. This was most likely due to an excess of fresh supply being offered on the markets by the Western central banks. The bullion banks saw this and dropped their bids to take full advantage of the knowledge of this operation, or more properly, subsidy.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Gold Lacks Momentum, Silver Volatility Nears 30-Year Record / Commodities / Gold and Silver 2011

By: Adrian_Ash

PRICE-ACTION in wholesale gold markets remained volatile in Asia and London on Wednesday, holding the gold price within $20 per ounce of last week's finish – some 7% above Monday's two-month low – around $1650.

This week's strong rally in global stock markets faded and industrial commodities also eased back, and Japanese and US government bonds were little changed as the Yen and Dollar continued to slip from last week's sudden jump.