Commodities
Quotations for non-ferrous metals are mostly rising on supply doubts

Quotations for non-ferrous metals are mostly rising, Reuters reported. The energy crisis in Europe and China contributes to doubts about the sustainability of supply, but the potential growth of quotations is limited due to the weakening of the global economy and rising interest rates.
A lot of regions in China have recently imposed restrictions on electricity consumption by industrial consumers to make sure supply for households.
Because of restrictions on electricity consumption, China’s zinc production fell by 500,000 tons a year, CRU Group said Friday.
September zinc futures on the Shanghai Futures Exchange closed 1.8 percent to 25,365 yuan ($3,698.49) a ton.
Meanwhile, metal production in Europe is declining due to high energy costs. This affects quotations for non-ferrous metals and alloys. Last week, Belgium’s Nyrstar announced it would stop production at Budel, one of Europe’s largest steel mills, in the Netherlands, on September 1. The company also cut production by 50% at three zinc smelters.
Meanwhile, according to a trader in the zinc and lead markets, the short-term optimism seen amid power restrictions in China will fade when the weather turns cooler.
“The market is still under the influence of weak macroeconomic factors, and fears about recession and the possibility of further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve strengthen the downside risks,” added the trader.
Base metals rose in Asia
The dollar has been gaining support in recent sessions as Fed policymakers signaled an inclination to further tighten monetary policy ahead of the Jackson Hole conference later this week.
A rising dollar usually puts pressure on commodity prices, which become more expensive for holders of other currencies.
At the time of writing, nickel futures on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were trading up 0.7% to 177,270 yuan a ton. Quotes jumped 4.8 percent on Monday. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in an interview with Bloomberg News last week that he was considering introducing a nickel export tax this year.
Indonesian authorities had previously talked about the likelihood of introducing the tax as early as Q3.
At about 07:48 GMT, three-month copper futures on the LME rose 1% to $8,103.50 a ton. Aluminum rose 0.8% to $2,408.5 a ton. Zinc rose 0.6% to $3,518.50 a ton, and lead fell 0.2% to 2010 dollars a ton.
Earlier we reported that the exchange price of electricity in France is rising by 5.5%.
Commodities
Brent crude oil futures its lowest since 2021 amid banking crisis

The cost of May futures on Brent crude oil fell to $72.74 per barrel, losing 0.31%, according to data from the ICE exchange. Brent was trading at about $70 a barrel at its low for the day. That’s a record low for at least 15 months, that is, since December 2021.
WTI prices are also falling, with futures prices down to $66.43 a barrel (-0.46% from last week’s close), according to the exchange. WTI was trading at $64.12 a barrel at its low for the day. This is also the lowest value since at least December 2021.
The market is thus responding to the banking crisis: since the beginning of March, three banks (Silvergate Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank) have closed their doors in the US, and the day before, on March 19, Swiss UBS took over its rival, Credit Suisse, buying the bank for $3.2bn amid fears of its collapse. Investors fear a recession, which may cause a crisis in the banking sector, as a recession, in turn, would lead to lower demand for fuel, the agency said.
“Oil prices are moving mainly because of fears [of further oil price dynamics]. Supply and demand fundamentals are almost unchanged, only the banking problems have an impact,” said Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn.
Oil prices lifted from daily lows helped the S&P 500 and Dow Jones indices, which rose Monday, writes Reuters. Traders raised their expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would refuse to raise rates this Wednesday to protect financial stability amid banking problems, the agency noted.
“Volatility is likely to persist this week, with broader financial market concerns likely to remain at the forefront,” ING Bank analysts said in a note. They add that the impending Fed decision adds to uncertainty in markets.
Earlier we reported that the price of Brent dropped below $75 per barrel for the first time in more than a year.
Commodities
Gold prices will reach $2,075 “in the coming weeks”

Gold prices may continue to rise, analysts polled by the CNBC TV channel said. In their opinion, the difficulties of banks and a possible turning point in the policy of the Federal Reserve indicate the possibility of a new rise in gold prices.
“I think it’s likely that we’ll see a strong move in gold in the coming months. The stars seem to be aligned for gold, and it could soon break new highs,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at brokerage Oanda.
The expert explained that interest rates are now at or close to their peak, and the market, amid recent developments in the banking sector, is laying on an earlier than previously expected start of rate cuts. They also added that this situation would boost demand for gold even if the U.S. dollar weakens.
This month, Fitch Solutions rating agency predicted that gold prices would reach $2,075 an ounce “in the coming weeks” amid global financial instability, writes RBC. The company also added that gold prices will remain at a higher than pre-pandemic levels in the coming years. Craig Erlam confirmed this forecast.
Other Wall Street experts are also predicting a long-term rise in gold prices. For instance, Tina Teng, analyst for British financial company CMC Markets, thinks that the U.S. Federal Reserve’s sooner departure from its policy of raising interest rates might provoke another rally in gold prices due to the weakening U.S. dollar and falling bond yields.
Earlier we reported that oil prices accelerated their decline, continuing a trend from the beginning of the week.
Commodities
Analysts at U.S. bank Goldman Sachs revised its forecast on oil prices

Analysts at U.S. bank Goldman Sachs, one of the most optimistic forecasts about the cost of oil, changed its earlier forecast about the growth of oil prices to $100 in the next 12 months, Bloomberg said.
Now analysts predict that Brent crude oil will reach $94 per barrel in the next 12 months and $97 per barrel in the second half of 2024, the publication said.
The bank said oil prices have fallen despite rising demand in China, given pressure on the banking sector, recession fears and investor withdrawal.
“Historically, after such traumatic events, price adjustments and recoveries are only gradual,” the bank notes.
This week, the situation surrounding Swiss bank Credit Suisse triggered panic in the markets as oil plummeted to a 15-month low and Brent crude fell 12% to below $73 a barrel.
After the price decline, the bank expects OPEC producers to increase production only in the third quarter of 2024, contrary to Goldman’s forecast that it will happen in the second half of 2023. Analysts at the bank believe a barrel of Brent blend will reach $94 in the next 12 months and trade at $97 in the second half of 2024.
Bloomberg reported that the largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, announced higher April oil prices for markets in Asia and Europe.
Earlier, we reported that Iraq and OPEC advocated for guarantees of no fluctuations in oil prices.
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