Page 14 - Altogether Magazine Issue 5 English
P. 14
Metal markets have seen considerable volatility in recent
months as the fortunes of related global commercial and
industrial sectors have changed rapidly. Political uncertainty
has also made the markets harder to read.
Metal market performance metals markets in America, and Other metals are often easier to
is traditionally linked closely have helped considerably lately to gauge in terms of future value, but
to economic, political and strengthen prices. the London Metal Exchange has
environmental factors, and Precious metals such as gold and certainly seen much movement this
uncertainty can often send metal silver have, since the start of 2014, year across a range of metals. Steel
prices spiking or tumbling. enjoyed safe haven status in the has increased by 21 percent since
The difficulty of forecasting metal eyes of many investors, causing gold January, ending July at $424 per ton.
prices presents a considerable values, particularly, to rise. Copper has decreased by two percent
challenge to individuals and Precious metals’ fortunes are often over the same period to $7,097
organisations concerned with inversely proportional to prevailing per ton. Zinc increased by thirteen
its production, importation and economic conditions – gold, for percent to $2,310 a ton and lead by
consumption, especially those example, traditionally performs best two percent to $2,211 a ton.
operating with an eye on the mid to during recession or in periods of Aluminium alloys increased nine
long-term future. international political uncertainty. percent to $1,997 per ton, and raw
Currently, demand for metal is Since the beginning of the year, gold aluminum followed a similar pattern
high as global markets perform alloys have increased in value by rising by 11 percent to $1,967.
strongly, and prices reflect economic some 6.5 percent. Silver fared badly, hitting a two
conditions. Metal values have That said, gold prices are still month low in August, weighed down
performed well recently, especially considerably down on the same by fears of an industrial slowdown
when compared to prices seen perioud twelve months previously. in China. Similar worries have also
during and since the onset of the Gold was valued at $1,200 per held copper values down, not helped
global financial crisis. ounce in January, 2014, compared to by concerns over French industrial
Levels of supply and demand in the $1,400 USD in January, 2013. Often, performance.
industrial sector, of course, have gold is seen as a hedge against
considerable impact on global metal the American dollar, performing
prices. In this regard, China, as the inversely to the greenback – a factor
single largest consumer of metals in that has perhaps underpinned recent
the world, is able to tremendously gains. Trying to forecast gold’s long-
affect prices. term performance is very difficult,
Government statistics such as the tied as it is to so many sentiment-
US Unemployment Data figures driven factors – uncertainty is the
released by the US Bureau of Labor, only certainty.
are often seen as underpinning
14
months as the fortunes of related global commercial and
industrial sectors have changed rapidly. Political uncertainty
has also made the markets harder to read.
Metal market performance metals markets in America, and Other metals are often easier to
is traditionally linked closely have helped considerably lately to gauge in terms of future value, but
to economic, political and strengthen prices. the London Metal Exchange has
environmental factors, and Precious metals such as gold and certainly seen much movement this
uncertainty can often send metal silver have, since the start of 2014, year across a range of metals. Steel
prices spiking or tumbling. enjoyed safe haven status in the has increased by 21 percent since
The difficulty of forecasting metal eyes of many investors, causing gold January, ending July at $424 per ton.
prices presents a considerable values, particularly, to rise. Copper has decreased by two percent
challenge to individuals and Precious metals’ fortunes are often over the same period to $7,097
organisations concerned with inversely proportional to prevailing per ton. Zinc increased by thirteen
its production, importation and economic conditions – gold, for percent to $2,310 a ton and lead by
consumption, especially those example, traditionally performs best two percent to $2,211 a ton.
operating with an eye on the mid to during recession or in periods of Aluminium alloys increased nine
long-term future. international political uncertainty. percent to $1,997 per ton, and raw
Currently, demand for metal is Since the beginning of the year, gold aluminum followed a similar pattern
high as global markets perform alloys have increased in value by rising by 11 percent to $1,967.
strongly, and prices reflect economic some 6.5 percent. Silver fared badly, hitting a two
conditions. Metal values have That said, gold prices are still month low in August, weighed down
performed well recently, especially considerably down on the same by fears of an industrial slowdown
when compared to prices seen perioud twelve months previously. in China. Similar worries have also
during and since the onset of the Gold was valued at $1,200 per held copper values down, not helped
global financial crisis. ounce in January, 2014, compared to by concerns over French industrial
Levels of supply and demand in the $1,400 USD in January, 2013. Often, performance.
industrial sector, of course, have gold is seen as a hedge against
considerable impact on global metal the American dollar, performing
prices. In this regard, China, as the inversely to the greenback – a factor
single largest consumer of metals in that has perhaps underpinned recent
the world, is able to tremendously gains. Trying to forecast gold’s long-
affect prices. term performance is very difficult,
Government statistics such as the tied as it is to so many sentiment-
US Unemployment Data figures driven factors – uncertainty is the
released by the US Bureau of Labor, only certainty.
are often seen as underpinning
14
