MINOR METALS LOOK SET FOR A DRAMATIC 2007

摘要

Minor metals prices have started the year at elevated levels, shrugging off spot market illiquidity and a quieter 2006 in preparation for further strength. Of all the metals assessed by MB, none has lost ground since the start of the year. Several have climbed to strong levels and could even break higher, despite the lack of spot activity. The steady rise in cadmium, cobalt and bismuth over the past few weeks has surprised many in the industry for example, as the period after Christmas and before the Chinese New Year is traditionally quiet. Bismuth has more than doubled in price since August and is now at levels not seen in more than 30 years. It hit 8.80-9.20 dollars per lb in-warehouse Rotterdam last week from 8.70-9.00 dollars previously.