Nickel and aluminium ETPs saw inflows as trade-war punishment on industrial metals reprieve

ETF Securities Nickel and aluminium ETPs saw inflows as trade-war punishment on industrial metals reprieveNickel and aluminium ETPs saw inflows as trade-war punishment on industrial metals reprieve

ETF Securities Weekly Flows Analysis – Nickel and aluminium ETPs saw inflows as trade-war punishment on industrial metals reprieve

Highlight

  • Long nickel and aluminium ETPs saw the highest inflows since February 2018 as prices begin to recover.
  • Gold ETPs receive first inflows in six weeks
  • Turkish woes pressure the Euro

Long nickel and aluminium ETPs saw the highest inflows since February 2018 as prices begin to recover. Nickel prices rallied 2.5% while aluminium rallied 4.2% last week as the market appears to be shifting focus to the supply disruptions that US protectionism is likely to cause. Long nickel ETPs received US$31.2mn while long aluminium ETPs received US$6.5mn. As we pointed out in Trade wars: price optimism ahead for metals?, the market appears to be wavering between protectionism being positive and protectionism being negative for prices. In the first bout of tariff announcements in February 2018, prices trended down. Then between April and June prices rallied as the supply disruptions came into focus. As the Trump administration rattled its protectionist sabres more intensely, the market had been concerned about the damage to global growth, with prices declining for most of June and July. The reopening of several mines in the Philippines in June (following their closure in February 2017 for environmental violations) added further headwinds to the metals’ performance. But as of last week the market shifted focus back to supply disruptions despite the intensity of Trump’s threats of trade wars revving up a gear. Copper only managed to gain 0.1% as the strike at Escondida (the world’s largest copper mine) was averted at the last minute as the Chilean government began to act as a mediator between the Union and BHP Billiton. However, if an agreement on the wage contract is not agreed by the 14th August 2018, a strike could be back on the cards.

Long gold ETPs received the first inflow in six weeks, amounting to US$26mn. Although gold prices remained lacklustre, some investors are now coming to believe that the price decline has been overdone. We certainly hold that view. Although the US Dollar is strengthening, US Treasury yields have not risen as much as we had expected back in June and US inflation is running at a 6-year high. Overly-subdued investor sentiment for the metal (both in futures and ETP markets) accounts for the poor price performance. If that is now turning a corner, we could see gold prices play catch-up. Our estimated base case is for gold to reach US$1307 by June 2019, up 8% from today’s levels (see Gold outlook). Economic disarray in Turkey, with a sharp Lira depreciation (which had knock-on contagion to the Euro last week), could send investors looking for haven assets. Gold has traditionally played the role of a safe haven asset in many investors portfolios.

Second week of short USD, long EUR ETP inflows likely to lead to disappointment. Last week there were US$5.9mn inflows into Short USD, long EUR ETPs. The prior week there were US$5.6mn of inflows. In the past week the Euro depreciated close to 2% against the US Dollar as investors feared contagion into the European banking system from exposure to Turkish loans.

For more information contact:

ETF Securities Research team
ETF Securities (UK) Limited
T +44 (0)207 448 4330
E research@etfsecurities.com

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Precious metal ETP flows strengthen as trade tensions continue

Precious metal ETP flows strengthen as trade tensions continue

ETF Securities Weekly Flows Analysis – Precious metal ETP flows strengthen as trade tensions continue

Highlights

  • Bargain hunters continued to drive strong inflows into gold ETPs – worth US$16.1mn – supported by ongoing trade tensions and geopolitical risks.
  • Crude oil ETPs faced redemptions worth US$32.7mn, the highest level in five weeks, on the back of profit taking as oil prices rose for the second week in a row.
  • Outflows from nickel ETPs widened the most in 3 weeks as prices rose over concerns of further US sanctions on Russia.

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Bargain hunters drove US$16.1mn of inflows in gold ETPs, marking two consecutive weeks of inflows. Gold prices came under pressure as bond yields rose sharply. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, rose to 2.96% the highest it’s been since January 2014 following supportive comments by the Fed governor Lael Brainard, for continued gradual increases in the Federal Funds rate. Added to that, the Federal Reserve Beige book showed a solid outlook for the US economy, while noting concerns over a potential trade war. Silver ETPs received US$12.8mn, marking the fifth consecutive week of inflows. Silver prices were lifted higher by industrial metals strong performance last week and managed to outperform gold by a strong margin of 3.5%. The gold/silver ratio for a time reached 78, its lowest level since early January.

Crude oil ETPs faced redemptions worth US$32.7mn, the highest level in five weeks, on the back of profit taking. Brent crude oil price reached US$74 per barrel last week, a level last seen in November 2014. The price appreciation has been supported by a trifecta of reasons – the decline of US crude oil inventory by 1mn barrels reported by the American Petroleum Institute (API), OPEC’s commitment to production cuts and ongoing geopolitical tensions. According to the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of those OPEC and non-OPEC countries participating in the cuts, the oversupply in the oil market is nearly over. OECD stocks are likely to dip below the five year average over the coming quarter. Prices eased a little on Friday as President Trump accused OPEC of driving up oil prices artificially. This accusation comes at a critical time for Saudi Arabia. The country needs a high oil price ahead of an IPO of its state oil company, Saudi Aramco which is seen as an important step to spearhead the restructuring of its economy.

Industrial metal basket ETPs received inflows worth US$3.9mn, in stark contrast to outflows from copper, nickel and aluminium ETPs of US$4.6mn, US$14.1mn and US$5.3mn respectively. Outflows from nickel ETPs widened the most by US$14.1mn over the last three weeks on the back of profit taking. Nickel prices rose 7.5% on Thursday marking their highest daily increase in 6½ years and putting prices at their highest level since December 2014 owing to concerns of further sanctions being imposed by the US on Russia.

European equity ETPs faced outflows worth US$5.7mn extending the prior week’s trend of outflows as investors took profits ahead of the European Central Bank meeting this Thursday. Given the raft of mixed macro-economic data in Europe, investors will be looking out for further guidance on its asset purchase program.

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This communication has been issued and approved for the purpose of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (“ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”).

The information contained in this communication is for your general information only and is neither an offer for sale nor a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. This communication should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investments may go down in value.

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This communication may contain independent market commentary prepared by ETFS UK based on publicly available information.

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Nickel – Electrification may boost demand

Nickel – Electrification may boost demand

ETF Securities Commodities Research: Nickel – Electrification may boost demand

Highlights

  • Nickel demand continues to outstrip supply.
  • China’s shift to quality rather quantity may help nickel demand.
  • Mine closures in Philippines constrain supply.
  • Electrification of vehicles likely to continue to increase demand for nickel in battery usage.

Industrial metals as a group have staged a recovery since 2016, following five consecutive years of decline between 2011 and 2015. Although zinc is the only metal to have recovered its losses (in nominal, not real terms) since 2011, the Bloomberg Commodity index has rallied 65% since it hit a trough at the beginning of 2016. Nickel is the furthest away from 2011 prices, despite having risen 77% from its 2016 lows (source: Bloomberg). We believe that there is further potential for price gains amid structural changes in demand and supply.

Supply deficit

Mine supply has been unable to keep up with demand in recent years as miners cut back on investment during the period of weak prices. According to the UN International Nickel Study Group, primary nickel production will fall short of primary nickel usage by 148,000 tonnes (8.7% of demand) in 2018, marking the third consecutive year of a supply deficit in the metal.

Steel production forecast to grow

According to the International Stainless Steel Forum, steel production in 2017 grew by approximately 5% and is forecast to grow by around the same rate in 2018. Steel production accounts for the lion’s share of nickel consumption (67%).

China’s focus on environment

Nickel Pig Iron (NPI), a low-grade ferronickel primarily produced in China (for domestic usage), has experienced strong growth in recent decades as China’s urbanisation and construction boom has boosted demand for the metal. However, NPI production fell in 2016 and 2017 and China’s focus on better environmental outcomes could reduce its reliance on NPI in favour of higher quality nickel products. That shift will tighten the supply of higher grades of nickel ore. China’s demand for global nickel is likely to rise.

Philippine mine suspension still under review

When Philippine interim environment minister, Regina Lopez, failed to secure a permanent position, her decision to shutter 23 of the country’s 41 mines was widely thought to be reversed. The mines were closed due to environmental violations (see Metal supply to tighten as environmental concerns enforced). However, nine months on from her dismissal, the mines have not reopened. The Philippine government has not quite capitulated to miner lobbying power. Although it now allows open pit mining (which was banned by Lopez), it has appointed a team of 25 experts to assess mine closures with a report expected in Q1 2018. The Philippines was the largest nickel ore producer in 2016. Given the strength of evidence that there were environmental violations in the first review that led to the initial ban, we expect that a significant portion of mine supply will remain constrained after this second review.

Electrification of vehicles

Demand for electric vehicles is expected to grow substantially from a relatively low base. In 2016, the stock of electric vehicles was around 2 million (0.2% of total stock). The IEA forecast that by 2020 there will be between 9 and 20 million electric vehicles and by 2025 there will be 40-70 million vehicles. This growth in electric vehicles usage presents a structural change to the automobile market.

Notes: The RTS incorporates technology improvements in energy efficiency and modal choices that support the achievement of policies that have been announced or are under consideration. The 2DS is consistent with a 50% probability of limiting the expected global average temperature increase to 2°C. The B2DS falls within the Paris Agreement range of ambition, corresponding to an average increase in the global temperature by 1.75°C.

Electric vehicles – whether pure plugin or plugin-hybrid – rely on batteries. Currently the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery is the most widely used technology for batteries. There are a number of different varieties of Li-ion batteries.

For cars, the nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cathode is the most popular. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre forecasts that NMC cathodes will grow more than other forms. By 2025, they expect NMC demand to rise from 40k tonnes in 2015 to 192k tonnes (a rise from 29% share to 48% share of the overall cathode active materials market for batteries).

Notes: Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO), Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC), Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide (NCA), Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP). With the exception of LCO, all these materials are currently used in automotive Li-ion battery cells.

Up until recently, the NMC cathode would use equal parts of nickel, manganese and cobalt, but the market is changing to a 8:1:1 ratio of the three metals (in favour of nickel). The reason for the transition is largely due to the relative scarcity of cobalt and potential supply disruptions to the metal. 60% of the world’s cobalt is mined out of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The country accounts for close to 50% of world known reserves of the metal. The DRC was embroiled in a civil war between 1998 and 2003, with an estimated death toll of 3.9 million (Source: International Rescue Committee). The current President’s mandate ran out in 2016 and his ability to cling onto power is fading. The risk of a serious political disruption is rising. The security of mineral resources from the DRC is weak and the association with human rights violations is becoming unpalatable for those sourcing the metal.

The structural shift toward greater electrical car usage combined with higher weighting of nickel in the Li-ion battery NMC cathodes looks likely to provide a boost for nickel demand in the coming decade.

For more information contact:

Catarina Donat Marques
ETF Securities (UK) Limited
T +44 20 7448 4386
E catarina.donatmarques@etfsecurities.com

Important Information

This communication has been issued and approved for the purpose of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (“ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”).

The information contained in this communication is for your general information only and is neither an offer for sale nor a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. This communication should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investments may go down in value.

This document is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, an advertisement or any other step in furtherance of a public offering of shares or securities in the United States or any province or territory thereof. Neither this document nor any copy hereof should be taken, transmitted or distributed (directly or indirectly) into the United States.

This communication may contain independent market commentary prepared by ETFS UK based on publicly available information. Although ETFS UK endeavours to ensure the accuracy of the content in this communication, ETFS UK does not warrant or guarantee its accuracy or correctness. Any third party data providers used to source the information in this communication make no warranties or representation of any kind relating to such data. Where ETFS UK has expressed its own opinions related to product or market activity, these views may change. Neither ETFS UK, nor any affiliate, nor any of their respective officers, directors, partners, or employees accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this publication or its contents.

ETFS UK is required by the FCA to clarify that it is not acting for you in any way in relation to the investment or investment activity to which this communication relates. In particular, ETFS UK will not provide any investment services to you and or advise you on the merits of, or make any recommendation to you in relation to, the terms of any transaction. No representative of ETFS UK is authorised to behave in any way which would lead you to believe otherwise. ETFS UK is not, therefore, responsible for providing you with the protections afforded to its clients and you should seek your own independent legal, investment and tax or other advice as you see fit..

Commodity outflows surge as US dollar rebounds

Commodity outflows surge as US dollar rebounds

ETF Securities – Commodity outflows surge as US dollar rebounds

Highlights

  • Inflows into nickel ETPs rise for the 3rd consecutive week, attaining their highest level since inception.
  • Gold ETP outflows rise to their highest level since September 2017 on the back of a strong jobs report.
  • Outflows from diversified basket ETPs climb to their highest level in 16 weeks, reversing 5 weeks of inflows.
  • Commodity outflows surge as US dollar rebounds

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Inflows into nickel ETPs rise for the 3rd consecutive week, surging to their highest level since inception, totalling US$71mn. The weaker US dollar coupled with a robust stainless steel market have helped drive nickel prices up 9% so far this year (as of 2 Feb 2018). Added to that, higher cobalt prices are triggering the substitution of cobalt with nickel in lithium-ion batteries, thereby raising expectations of future demand for nickel from battery led technology. The International Nickel Study Group (INSG) expects China to drive further demand growth in 2018. While Indonesian nickel ore production has driven global output to record levels, global inventories have been falling. Nevertheless, nickel’s deficit is expected to be smaller in 2018 vs 2017 according to INSG.

Gold ETP outflows worth US$251mn rose to their highest level since September 2017. Despite the selloff in global equity markets last week, gold prices came under significant pressure after the US dollar rallied on the back of a strong US jobs report. US nonfarm payrolls jumped by 200,000 last month and average hourly wages climbed 2.9% year-on-year (the highest since May 2009). The acceleration in wage growth had long been awaited by market participants and drove speculation that the Federal Reserve would lift US interest rates more aggressively than previously expected. Gold, which offers no yield, remains vulnerable into a rising rate environment.

Crude oil ETPs experienced the 24th consecutive week of outflows, totalling US$22.3mn last week. US oil production is set to increase in the coming months partly owing to productivity gains and as drilling activity picks up. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects production in the US to rise by just shy of 1 million barrels per day this year, which should cover more than half of the increase in global oil demand estimated by the EIA. We expect to see crude oil prices correct owing to rising growth in US oil production and an increase in stocks in the first quarter.

Outflows from diversified basket ETPs amounting to US$21.6mn surged to their highest level in 6 weeks, reversing 5 weeks of inflows. The commodity complex, led by energy and precious metals, suffered widespread losses last week as the greenback reversed its downward trend.´

Important Information

General

This communication has been issued and approved for the purpose of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (“ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”).
The information contained in this communication is for your general information only and is neither an offer for sale nor a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. This communication should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investments may go down in value.

This document is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, an advertisement or any other step in furtherance of a public offering of shares or securities in the United States or any province or territory thereof. Neither this document nor any copy hereof should be taken, transmitted or distributed (directly or indirectly) into the United States.

This communication may contain independent market commentary prepared by ETFS UK based on publicly available information

This communication may contain independent market commentary prepared by ETFS UK based on publicly available information. Although ETFS UK endeavours to ensure the accuracy of the content in this communication, ETFS UK does not warrant or guarantee its accuracy or correctness. Any third party data providers used to source the information in this communication make no warranties or representation of any kind relating to such data. Where ETFS UK has expressed its own opinions related to product or market activity, these views may change. Neither ETFS UK, nor any affiliate, nor any of their respective officers, directors, partners, or employees accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this publication or its contents.

ETFS UK is required by the FCA to clarify that it is not acting for you in any way in relation to the investment or investment activity to which this communication relates. In particular, ETFS UK will not provide any investment services to you and or advise you on the merits of, or make any recommendation to you in relation to, the terms of any transaction. No representative of ETFS UK is authorised to behave in any way which would lead you to believe otherwise. ETFS UK is not, therefore, responsible for providing you with the protections afforded to its clients and you should seek your own independent legal, investment and tax or other advice as you see fit.

 

A short-term pull-back in industrial metals likely to open new entry points

A short-term pull-back in industrial metals likely to open new entry points

ETF Securities Commodity Research: A short-term pull-back in industrial metals likely to open new entry points

Highlights

  • Industrial metal prices have staged a strong rally as tightening supplies support fundamentals.
  • Given the long lead times in exploration and development of mines, even though capital expenditure may soon start to increase, we expect supplies to remain tight and the market is unlikely to achieve balance in the short term.
  • However, there are threats to the current rally as strong momentum could give way to a pull-back in prices. Historically periods in which trading volumes in China have risen sharply have been followed by a correction.
  • These pull-backs are usually an opportunity to shake out momentum trades and allow the market to focus on fundamentals rather than a sustained downturn.

Recovering losses

Industrial metals are staging a strong rally. Year to date, the Bloomberg Industrial Metals sub-index for example has risen 17%. Industrial metal prices last peaked in 2011 and since lost 60% by the time it hit a trough in 20161. About 34% of those losses have recovered so far in the rally that started in 2016. While zinc is currently trading higher than it was in 2011, all other metals still have not recovered to their prior levels.

Metals in a supply deficit

The demand for zinc, copper and nickel is expected to be higher than supply. These metals have gone through back-to-back years of supply deficits. Copper has been in a supply deficit for the past seven years and by 2018, the metal will have recorded nine consecutive years of stock withdrawals if the International Copper Study Group’s forecasts are correct. The lead market is broadly balanced. Aluminium could shift into a supply deficit if China follows through with its attempts to cut capacity in winter months to improve the environment (see Metal supply to tighten as environmental concerns enforced).

Increase in production unlikely soon

Since industrial metal prices began to fall in 2011, capital expenditure by miners collapsed. In mid-2017 capital expenditure by the largest 100 mines was 60% lower than in mid-2013. Given the long lag times behind investment and completion of mines, we don’t expect the tightness of mine supply to reverse any time soon.

Added to that, miners are cautious to increase spending as they wait for the price recovery to prove sustainable. Historically we have seen about a year-long lag between a recovery in price and a recovery in capital spending. Given that the rally stalled between February and June this year (before starting again), miners could exercise even more caution in this cycle.

Historically we have found that metal markets begin to move towards a balance two years after miner profit margins hit rock-bottom. Miner margins fell to a low of 2% at the beginning of 2016 and since have recovered to just over 7%. So if we see a repeat of historical patterns, we should see supply begin to improve in late 2018, but it could take years to move back into balance.

Rally sustainabilty

We believe that the tightness in the metals market provides fundamental strength to prices. However, we have observed periodic pull-backs in prices: November – December 2016 and March – June 2017, when metal prices declined close to 10% in each episode. Given the rapid 17% increase in prices since June, are we due another correction?

In November 2016 we saw the price pull-back occur shortly after volumes of trading in Chinese futures increased and subsequently fell. The price volatility was largely driven trading volatility. At the time the Chinese authorities had increased their regulatory grip on the market to stop destabilizing trades from ‘tourist’ investors from influencing the market. Given the rise in trading volumes on the Shanghai Futures Exchange in August, we could be witnessing another episode of herd-like buying that could dissipate very quickly.

We note that, while in the November 2016, pre-7am trading in LME copper surged (indicating increased buying from Asia), this time around, volumes have remained stable. However, pre- 7am LME aluminium volumes have increased alongside SHFE volumes in August.

Indeed, we could be witnessing a broader trend of Asian trading having a wider influence on LME prices. With the exception of copper once again, the share of pre-7am trading in most LME metals has been rising over the past two years.

A pull-back in prices is a likely outcome as momentum trades withdraw. However, as the fundamentals remain strong, we believe that a good entry point will open up as result.

For more information contact:

ETF Securities Research team
ETF Securities (UK) Limited
T +44 (0) 207 448 4336
E info@etfsecurities.com

Important Information

This communication has been issued and approved for the purpose of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (“ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”).

The information contained in this communication is for your general information only and is neither an offer for sale nor a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. This communication should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investments may go down in value.

This document is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, an advertisement or any other step in furtherance of a public offering of shares or securities in the United States or any province or territory thereof. Neither this document nor any copy hereof should be taken, transmitted or distributed (directly or indirectly) into the United States.

This communication may contain independent market commentary prepared by ETFS UK based on publicly available information. Although ETFS UK endeavours to ensure the accuracy of the content in this communication, ETFS UK does not warrant or guarantee its accuracy or correctness. Any third party data providers used to source the information in this communication make no warranties or representation of any kind relating to such data. Where ETFS UK has expressed its own opinions related to product or market activity, these views may change. Neither ETFS UK, nor any affiliate, nor any of their respective officers, directors, partners, or employees accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this publication or its contents.

ETFS UK is required by the FCA to clarify that it is not acting for you in any way in relation to the investment or investment activity to which this communication relates. In particular, ETFS UK will not provide any investment services to you and or advise you on the merits of, or make any recommendation to you in relation to, the terms of any transaction. No representative of ETFS UK is authorised to behave in any way which would lead you to believe otherwise. ETFS UK is not, therefore, responsible for providing you with the protections afforded to its clients and you should seek your own independent legal, investment and tax or other advice as you see fit.