Capesize suffers from oversupply

Capesize market came under pressure again amid bearish market sentiment for June. Thus, the Capesize 5 time charter average went below $4,000 level again, after a drop of $334 to $3,786 on Wednesday. The volatile bunker market did not help to support the freight rates and thus the Baltic Dry Index went downhill by 0.79% …

DCE rebounds on firm market fundamentals

Chinese futures rebounded today on tighter inventory and Chinese government’s stimulus for more white goods consumption. The most-actively traded iron ore futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), for September delivery, increased by 2.01% day-on-day to RMB 710.50 per tonne on Thursday. Likewise, the steel rebar contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange also hiked up …

Chinese Iron Ore Supply Once Again in Focus

CISA calls for increased production of domestic iron ore China iron and steel Association continue to focus on supply issues for the world’s second largest economy as it emerges from a forced lockdown that continues to blight countries around the world. Over a year after the Brazilian dam disaster which killed over 200 people; iron …

Trade Tensions Keep Soybeans Muted

Soybean futures on the Chicago board of trade continued to remain muted on the back of an increasing blame gain from the White house over a phase one trade deal that looked to be the saving grace for U.S farmers after a prolonged stalemate between the U.S and Chinese Government. Global commodities and Soybeans alike …

API v EIA – quick on the draw?

The predicted rise in US stock levels have dragged down markets further this morning, continuing losses and putting prices ever closer to the $30 mark again.   Data from U.S. industry group API predicts crude stocks rose by 8.7 million barrels in the week to May 22, compared with analysts’ expectations for a draw of …

Iron ore futures surge on Brazil virus fears

Iron ore futures surged on Wednesday on renewed concerns over the worsening coronavirus crisis in Brazil. Unlike many other countries, Brazil has not enforced a lockdown, resulting in a widespread increase of coronavirus infections. It was reported that there has been a sudden spike in coronavirus cases in the Brazilian state of Para, where around …

FIS Castaway – Eps.9 – Unprecedented Coverage in Unprecedented Times

In Episode 9 of Castaway we have special guest Julie Arnold talking to us about power markets – especially the new emerging Japanese power market. We also have our regular news and commodity market reviews and a hot potato of a new random market of the week. Click on the link below to listen now! …

Weather Splits for European Wheat With Dry West and Eastern Rain

Europe’s wheat fields are facing diverging weather in the heart of the growing season. Parts of the Black Sea region and European Union faced dry spells throughout spring, hurting yield forecasts in the key exporters. Now rains are beginning to relieve crops in southern Russia and Ukraine, but dryness is persisting in western Europe.   Weather in …

FIS Weekly Comment: Slow and steady growth for China after Two Sessions

One thing that stuck out of China’s Two Sessions is that Beijing policymakers had stopped setting GDP growth target but instead using various macroeconomic goals. Thus, no GDP growth numbers of 6% was mentioned in the Two Sessions as per previous session that we are used to. Instead, quantitative macroeconomic goals were set such as …

Slow start to Capesize after long weekend

Capesize market made a slow start after a long weekend break, with sluggish shipping demand in physical and paper markets. Thus, the Capesize 5 time charter average dipped slightly by $20 to $4,120 on spot rates, almost a flat index that failed to inspire the paper market. The almost unchanged index may reflect market concerns …