As the dollar became stronger and fresh information heightened worries about China’s economic recovery, copper yesterday saw a 1.1% decline to settle at 729.35, threatening the outlook for base metal demand. While year-to-date copper imports fell by 10.7% to represent a steep decline in demand for industrial inputs, both Chinese imports and exports decreased more…
Aluminium yesterday increased by 0.73% to close at 205.65, buoyed by expectations that China will provide stimulus to bolster economic development and restore its struggling real estate market. Following a report by state-owned media, investors also anticipated China will significantly reduce banks’ reserve ratios and interest rates in the second half of this year to…
The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for manufacturing increased to 56.4 in March from 55.3 in February, indicating that the manufacturing sector concluded fiscal 2022–23 at its peak. Unfortunately, little progress was made on the job front, per the S&P Global monthly survey, which was released on Monday. Pollyanna De Lima, Economics Associate Director, S&P Global…
On Wednesday, oil prices increased for a second day as expectations for global fuel consumption were raised by news of rising manufacturing activity in China, the largest consumer of crude. May Brent crude oil was up 24 cents, or 0.3%, to 83.69 per barrel. The April contract reached its expiration on Tuesday at $83.89, up…
Early Asian trade on Thursday saw a sharp increase in oil prices, driven by signals of tighter supply and hope for a resurgence in Chinese demand. Brent oil prices were up 5 cents, or 0.06%, to $87.02 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $80.71. A…
