William Adams Market Quotations

Should the global economy suffer a period of slower demand, which is a distinct possibility given rising interest rates, a slowing housing market and high debt, then the demand profile on the metals could suffer. In turn, these lofty metal prices would then look out of place.

With China now back in the market after the New Year, there was some catching up in early trading on Monday.

At some stage the fundamentals will become influential again, but while the funds are willing and able to buy commodities, you have to accept that their patronage is the most influential aspect in the market and will remain so until something knocks them from their current thinking.

The threat of supply disruptions has reminded investors just how tight the copper market is, even though stocks may have risen in recent months.

Although there is little doubt that fundamentals are tight, there seems an awful lot of hype in the market and with prices knocking on $6,000 a ton, the whole complex looks over cooked and in need of a reality check.