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In a conversation with the Investing News Network, Joe Cavatoni, senior market strategist, Americas, at the World Gold Council, broke down the organization's latest gold demand trends report.Aside from key demand drivers like central bank buying, he highlighted differing sentiment in the west and east. "This is an interesting time. Right now the price has been impacted less so by the expectation of US rates and the US dollar, and more so by the geopolitical and overall outlook for investment in the Asian markets, the eastern markets. And that's actually done a real shift in the overall sentiment amongst investors worldwide," Cavatoni said. He went on to explain that western investors generally tend to pile into gold when the metal's price is high. Now, however, they're standing on the sidelines waiting for interest rates to start coming back down.Conversely, eastern investors, who would normally rein in purchases when prices are higher, continue to buy. Cavatoni pointed to currency and property sector concerns in China as part of the reason this is happening. Overall, he sees more room for gold to run after its record-setting moves earlier this year. “The upside potential has been really exciting to watch, but definitely something that is giving us a signal that there might be more than just strategic investment at play. Likely some speculative investment playing out as well, whether that's in the Americas or actually overseas in Asia. It's really something that we're keeping a close eye on," he said. In closing, Cavatoni recommended keeping an eye out for black swan situations and the US election. "I always remind people to never underestimate the risk of a systemic event, whether it's geopolitical or whatever the case may be ... Don't overlook the fact that there's a lot of pressure on financial institutions, banks, et cetera," he said. "But what I'd also add and make sure people pay close attention to is that there's an election year taking place in the US." Watch the interview above for more from Cavatoni on gold demand, plus overall market trends. Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.

The cobalt market put on a mixed performance in the first quarter of 2024 as metal prices stalled and contracted, while sulfate and hydroxide values increased. The sector is divided into three segments. Cobalt metal is used as an alloy to strengthen and harden, while cobalt hydroxide is used in lithium-ion batteries, electronics and paint pigments. Lastly, cobalt sulfate is used to make storage batteries, electroplating baths and some animal feed.After reaching a second all-time price high in 2022 — US$82,200 per metric ton (MT) — cobalt metal prices have been retracting. They spent the first month of the year locked at the US$29,134.30 level, but sank to a three year low of US$27,215 on April 15. By the end of the quarter, cobalt metal had seen a 2.01 percent erosion in value.Although cobalt metal prices declined during Q1, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence Pricing Analyst Roman Aubry noted that the rest of the market exhibited strength during the first 90 days of 2024.“Benchmark has only seen a price decline for cobalt metal in Q1 of 2024; most of our cobalt grades have seen a slight positive trend on the back of rising cobalt hydroxide prices,” he told the Investing News Network (INN) via email. What factors impacted cobalt supply and demand in Q1? According to the US Geological Survey's latest report on cobalt, mine supply of the battery metal ballooned in 2023, growing 16.75 percent year-over-year, from 197,000 MT in 2022 to 230,000 MT in 2023.The vast majority (170,000 MT) was mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In fact, the five largest cobalt mines in the world are located in the African nation.As Adam Webb, product director at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, explained during a late March webinar, the cobalt deposits in the DRC are much richer compared to anywhere else globally.These high-grade areas have attracted the attention of Chinese mining companies, particularly China Molybdenum (SHA:603993,OTC Pink:CMCLF), which is now the largest cobalt producer in the DRC and the world.With cobalt demand projected to increase by 60 to 70 percent by 2040, the DRC is projected to play a vital role in the energy transition. The country will be responsible for filling most of the additional 214,000 MT of cobalt demand expected by 2030, as it is the only country that can deliver this level of cobalt supply growth, explained Webb.As Aubry, a colleague of Webb, noted in an email to INN, most of this increased cobalt supply originating in the DRC will end up in electric vehicles (EVs), which is a positive trend for the market.“It’s hard to understate just how much demand will be added to the cobalt market by the EV industry,” he said. “Already it has become the largest demand sector, and its dominance is only set to grow.”This sentiment was reiterated in the latest edition of the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Global EV Outlook, which forecasts a significant surge in EV sales, with one in five cars sold worldwide expected to be electric this year.The report notes that global EV sales are projected to top 17 million by the end of 2024, with China leading the charge with roughly 10 million units. Europe and the US are also seeing increased growth in EV adoption, despite a generally weak outlook for passenger car sales. The report attributes this growth to substantial investment in the EV supply chain, ongoing policy support and declines in prices for EVs and batteries. Under current policies, nearly one in three cars in China and one in five in the US and EU are expected to be electric by 2030.“The continued momentum behind electric cars is clear in our data, although it is stronger in some markets than others,” wrote IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “Rather than tapering off, the global EV revolution appears to be gearing up for a new phase of growth. The wave of investment in battery manufacturing suggests the EV supply chain is advancing to meet automakers’ ambitious plans for expansion.”Sustained growth in the EV space helped to catalyze cobalt chemical prices during the second month of the year.“From mid-February onwards, we saw an uptick in demand for cobalt chemicals, particularly from cobalt sulphate, as nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) battery cathode manufacturers began to restock their cobalt chemical reserves, in anticipation for increased demand from Tier 1 cell suppliers for high-end EV models,” said Aubry. Cobalt surplus seen lasting into 2025 Although the long-term outlook for cobalt remains positive, Aubry pointed to various near-term challenges.“The cobalt market is presently very bearish; the source of this is a significant oversupply of cobalt hydroxide,” he said. “Our forecasting team estimates the cobalt oversupply to be around 12,400 tonnes in 2024.”The Benchmark team expects this surplus position to last into 2025.Another factor that could weigh on the cobalt market and prices is battery chemistry, according to Aubry.“Currently the biggest threat to cobalt is the adoption of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistries for EVs; China in particular has been rapidly increasing LFP production,” he explained. “Despite this, cobalt demand overall is expected to go up considerably even if LFP displaces NCM chemistries significantly due to the sheer potential of EV growth.”Benchmark projects that NCM batteries will “maintain over 40 percent market share, particularly in the west where consumers value distance covered in a single charge.”“The EV market is set to take off further in the coming years, and critical components, like cobalt, will quickly see their demand rise much faster than the supply can match,” said Aubry. “By 2030, a significant supply gap will form, and if the market does not sufficiently adapt, we may see cobalt prices exceed the heights of 2022.”While cobalt-containing batteries are likely to retain a broad chunk of the market despite LFP growth, one headwind that has the potential to disrupt output is mined supply. “The biggest pain point in cobalt is in mining capacity more than refining. In that aspect, additional refining capacity will certainly help alleviate some of this pressure; however, there is still a fundamental difference in what the demand is for the market compared to what is supplied. While refining capacity may increase prices for some cobalt grades, it may in turn hurt others,” noted Aubry. Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates.Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.

Crescent Point Energy (TSX:CPG,NYSE:CPG) has struck a deal with Saturn Oil & Gas (TSX:SOIL,OTCQX:OILSF) to divest certain non-core assets in Saskatchewan as part of its long-term sustainability plan.“This transaction allows us to realize value for these non-core assets which had limited impact in the Company’s future plans while continuing to focus on our priorities of operational execution, optimizing our balance sheet and increasing our return of capital,” said Craig Bryksa, president and CEO of Crescent Point, in a company press release.The strategic move involves the sale of assets, including Flat Lake and Battrum, for cash consideration of C$600 million.The assets being divested are projected to contribute 13,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) over the next year, predominantly in oil and liquids. This divestment is part of Crescent Point's broader goal of streamlining its operations and focusing on core assets, as evidenced by the recent closure of other non-core asset sales.During Q1, Crescent Point sold its Swan Hills and Turner Valley assets for C$140 million.On the back of this news, the company has revised its 2024 average production guidance to a range of 191,000 to 199,000 boe/d, reflecting a reduction of 7,000 boe/d compared to its prior guidance range midpoint.Crescent Point said proceeds from the non-core dispositions will be used to reduce its outstanding debt.Since 2021, Crescent Point has been actively engaged in major acquisitions, particularly in the Montney and Kaybob Duvernay oil and gas regions of Northwest Alberta.The financing for Saturn's acquisition includes a US$625 million committed debt financing from Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), alongside a C$150 million reserves-based loan arranged by National Bank of Canada. A C$100 million bought-deal equity financing further supports the transaction, with gross proceeds directed to fund the acquisition."The acquired assets are a perfect fit with Saturn’s existing Saskatchewan operations and offer meaningful synergies,” said Saturn CEO John Jeffrey on Monday (May 6). “The Acquisition is highly accretive for our shareholders and consistent with our strategy of acquiring quality assets where we can apply our strategic operating approach to enhance margins, grow Adjusted EBITDA, and increase Free Funds Flow."Commenting on the deal, BMO analyst Jeremy McCrea emphasized the importance of identifying critical junctures in oil and gas investing, noting that when it comes to exploration and production companies this can involve new ventures or enhanced field economics, which can "ultimately result in a multiple expansion.""As Crescent Point effectively completes its transformation with its asset sale for C$600-million (slightly more than our expectations given AROs/3rd quartile inventory), its improved balance sheet and ROC metrics for the years ahead may make CPG a ‘premium name’. In time, a premium multiple should reflect this," he said.Shares of the company rose following the news, reaching C$12.18 early on Tuesday (May 7), before pulling back slightly. Trans Mountain pipeline opens after a decade of delays Canada's oil and gas industry has been in the spotlight since the start of the month, when the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX) went into commercial service after 12 years of delays. The 1,150 kilometer pipeline, which is operated by the federal government's Trans Mountain Corporation, is linked to an existing pipeline that was constructed in 1953 and provides a connection between Alberta and BC. Collectively, the twin pipelines are anticipated to transport approximately 890,000 barrels of oil per day to the west coast.Project delays stemmed from legal challenges due to inadequate Indigenous consultation and environmental impact assessments, and were exacerbated by natural disasters, such as flooding in BC in 2012 and COVID-19.Ian Anderson, the now-retired CEO of Trans Mountain and the person who oversaw most of the project’s construction, said that what comes next will be crucial for the pipeline’s future. “The question will be how quickly do they want to sell it? And what kind of process do they want to run to sell it?” he told the National Post.TMX cost over US$25 billion to build, and Canada's Liberal government was forced to buy it in 2018. As the country looks to sell the operation, experts have doubts about whether it will be able to recoup its costs. As the government goes through its options, Ottawa plans to start collecting tolls on the barrels passing through TMX daily, estimated at C$11.46 per barrel, potentially totaling nearly C$4 billion annually. Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Global vanadium-producing countries have benefited from infrastructure spending in China in recent years. However, in 2024 and beyond, the market is likely to be driven by demand related to energy storage as well.While vanadium consumption has softened in recent months, there is still plenty of optimism that the market's medium- to long-term outlook remains strong. As mentioned, part of that is to do with the energy transition. On the supply side, vanadium production has fallen in recent years as producers respond to lower levels of demand. Coming in at 110,000 metric tons (MT) in 2021, mined production of the metal dropped to 102,000 MT in 2022 and fell further to 100,000 MT in 2023, as per the most recent data from the US Geological Survey.Four countries contribute to the vast majority of that output. Below is a brief overview of these top vanadium producers. 1. China Mine production: 68,000 MTChina was the world’s top vanadium-producing country in 2023 with output of 68,000 MT. That’s compared to 66,900 MT produced in 2022 and 70,300 MT in 202. The Asian nation far outpaces all other countries in terms of vanadium-mining output, and leads the world in vanadium consumption as well due to its high steel production. In terms of vanadium exports, China's are "quite small", according to Fastmarkets, as producers can turn a bigger profit in the domestic market. 2. Russia Mine production: 20,000 MTSecond on the list is Russia, whose vanadium output totaled 20,000 MT in 2023, essentially on par with production in the previous two years. Russia’s vanadium reserves are the second largest in the world at 5,000 MT. EVRAZ KGOK, part of EVRAZ (LSE:EVR), is a major mining company in Russia that produces vanadium. Little other information is available about vanadium mining in Russia. 3. South Africa Mine production: 9,100 MTSouth Africa's vanadium output is on an uptrend, reaching 9,1000 MT in 2023. In 2018, the country’s output dropped to 7,700 MT, and has been slowly recovering since. In 2022, mining grew by 230 MT over the previous year.South Africa’s contributions to the vanadium market consist of primary production from Bushveld Minerals (LSE:BMN) and Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF). Bushveld Minerals’ vanadium division consists of four core assets: the Vametco mine and processing facility; the Vanchem processing facility; the mokopane vanadium mine; and the Belco production plant. Glencore's Rhovan open-cast mine and smelter complex mainly produces ferrovanadium and vanadium pentoxide. 4. Brazil Mine production: 6,400 MTBrazil's vanadium output for 2023 ramped up from the previous year by 560 MT to hit 6,400 MT. Brazil’s production is largely thanks to Largo Resources (TSX:LGO,NASDAQ:LGO), which describes itself as the only pure-play vanadium producer. The company’s Maracas Menchen vanadium asset is the highest-grade vanadium mine in the world. FAQs for vanadium ​Who is the largest exporter of vanadium? Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of vanadium, with Russia and South Africa rounding out the top three. Brazil alone is responsible for nearly one-quarter of the metal’s global export market, and the combined trio represents nearly 60 percent of the market. ​Which country has the most vanadium reserves? Australia has the highest vanadium reserves in the world, coming in at 8.5 million MT as of 2023, although it should be noted that only 1.7 million MT are JORC compliant. Russia is in second place with 5 million MT of vanadium reserves, while China is next in line with vanadium reserves of 4.4 million. ​What is vanadium used for? Vanadium is essential in various alloys, with the most common being ferrovanadium, an alloy of iron and vanadium metal that is used in steel production. Beyond these traditional applications, the silvery-gray metal's uses in the battery industry are growing — it's increasingly being used in vanadium redox batteries for large-scale stationary energy storage. Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Cobalt has been used as a blue coloring agent in pottery, glass and ceramics for thousands of years. However, more recently, demand from high-tech sectors has overshadowed traditional cobalt uses. Today, this critical metal is an essential ingredient in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, energy storage systems, metal alloys and more.The lithium-ion battery sector in particular has become a major source of cobalt demand, and analysts expect that this sector will drive the cobalt market going forward. At the same time, cobalt supply could tighten substantially due to human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where most cobalt is produced.Given those factors, many investors are now wondering how to invest in cobalt. To help those interested in the sector, we’ve put together a brief guide on cobalt supply and demand and different investing options. What factors impact cobalt supply and demand? Cobalt is mainly produced as a by-product of copper and nickel, with the DRC supplying the bulk of the world’s cobalt. Most DRC cobalt comes from an area known as the Central African Copper Belt, which hosts most of the country's cobalt-hosting deposits. The country also holds nearly half of global cobalt reserves, cementing its dominance. Cobalt is produced in about a dozen countries. The DRC put out 170,000 metric tons (MT) in 2023, far ahead of runner-up Indonesia’s 17,000 MT. Russia (8,800 MT) and Australia (4,600 MT) were the third and fourth largest, respectively. As noted, DRC cobalt is facing increasing scrutiny. While cobalt is not a conflict mineral, some human rights groups are pushing for it to receive that designation. Many DRC cobalt operations are dangerous, poorly managed and involve child labor, and these human rights groups believe end users should be sourcing the metal elsewhere.As of early 2024, cobalt was in a supply overhang as increased production out of the DRC and Indonesia has not been taken up by demand, which took a hit in 2023 on the back of sliding sales for EVs. Fastmarkets analysts are "forecasting an ongoing and widening surplus in the global cobalt market in 2024".It’s tough to say exactly when and by how much cobalt demand will rebound in the coming years, but as noted, the lithium-ion battery market will be a huge driver of that demand. "Falling cobalt prices may lead OEMs in certain markets to reconsider lower nickel NCM batteries, with higher cobalt content, due to the potential cost savings," notes Fastmarkets in its report. What are the main ways to invest in cobalt?  For investors interested in cobalt, and there are two main ways to gain exposure.The first option is cobalt futures which can found on the London Metal Exchange. These futures are quoted in US dollars per MT. Contracts range over a span of 15 months, allowing investors to make bets on the metal over varying time periods. Typically futures trading is done by more sophisticated investors. The second option is to invest in cobalt-focused companies. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence Chief Data Officer Caspar Rawles has recommended that any investor interested in investing in cobalt look at copper and nickel companies that are mining or exploring for cobalt, “unless (they) are lucky enough to find a (junior with a) deposit that is primarily cobalt.”He added, “I think the key for smaller companies is to be targeting value-added products further downstream than simply a concentrate, such as cobalt sulfate, targeting the battery supply chain.”For ideas on cobalt stocks to invest in, check out our list of the biggest producers of the metal — these are some of the largest names in the sector. You can also read our overview of Canadian cobalt companies that have seen year-to-date gains, and our list of the biggest cobalt stocks on the ASX by market cap. This is an updated version of an article originally published by the Investing News Network in 2010.Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Graphite has swung into focus in recent years, largely due to its key role in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Concerns about China's supply stranglehold and anticipated demand from lithium-ion battery megafactories have sparked investor interest, and experts believe graphite will be a key EV battery material for at least the next decade.Today, each EV battery contains between 40 and 60 kilograms of graphite material. Putting the market's anticipated growth into perspective, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence data shows that demand for graphite from the battery sector is expected to grow by 250 percent between 2023 and 2030. Benchmark analysts see a potential supply deficit looming if graphite companies do not expand their operations.For its part, Fastmarkets sees a strong long-term outlook for graphite as the North American and European markets seek to set up secure supplies of the material outside of China, especially graphite obtained via environmentally friendly production and processing methods."We expect to see this combination of factors increase the underlying natural graphite cost base, contributing to higher prices," states the firm in an industry update. To help investors get a better understanding of the graphite space, here's a brief overview of what graphite is, what’s going on in the market today and what the future could bring. Read on for insight on these topics and more. What is graphite? Graphite has a layered, planar structure, with carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice. It’s thermally stable and can conduct electricity, but is also valued for its self-lubricating and dry-lubricating properties. Flake, amorphous and vein are the three main types of graphite; all are important for different industries, but flake graphite is currently getting the most buzz.Flake graphite has become especially important since early 2014, when Tesla's (NASDAQ:TSLA) Elon Musk announced that his company would be building its first lithium-ion battery gigafactory in Nevada, US. Graphite is used in lithium-ion battery anodes, and the news from the major EV maker immediately sparked predictions about how much of the mineral the gigafactory might require. Lithium-ion batteries are used to power EVs and for energy storage.Aside from batteries, flake graphite can be used in pebble-bed nuclear reactors, as well as in the refractory and steel industries, fuel cells and vanadium-redox batteries. Amorphous graphite is used in the refractory industry as well, and in mechanisms such as brake linings, gaskets and clutch materials. Vein graphite finds a home in advanced, thermal and high-friction applications.Click here for more information on the types of graphite. What factors impact graphite supply and demand? As mentioned, flake graphite has seen attention as graphite market participants try to guess how much impact facilities like Tesla’s gigafactory — and other lithium-ion battery megafactories — will have on graphite demand.While it’s tough to pinpoint how much graphite those megafactories will require (and when), it’s safe to say that they will need a lot. Benchmark is just one firm that has written extensively about the topic.For now, much of that demand has yet to materialize. Many companies that rushed into the graphite space have not yet secured offtake agreements for the material they plan to produce. As a result, some are stalled in the exploration and development phases; it will be difficult for them to move forward until end users start locking down supply.In the years ahead, Fastmarkets expects to see demand growth for natural graphite coming from markets outside of China as automakers strive to meet customer expectations for products made with the highest ESG standards. That leaves out synthetic graphite produced in China with the aid of petroleum and coal industry by-products. "We expect to see premium pricing structures emerge in ex-China markets to reflect higher costs associated with ESG friendly supply, but also to encourage the much-needed investment in the sector to prompt the development of localized and diversified supply," the firm's analysts said in a report published in mid-2023. "Without additional investment, the market will fall into a significant deficit beyond 2030."For now, in terms of graphite supply, the majority comes from China. The Asian nation produced 1,230,000 metric tons of graphite in 2023, which is four times greater than that of the next five top graphite-producing countries combined. That said, in recent years there have been concerns about the security of Chinese graphite supply, as regulations to lower pollution have caused cutbacks in the nation's output.The upshot is that graphite demand appears set to rise with no guarantees that producers will be able to keep up. Prices remain subdued, but may rise as buyers become more concerned about impending megafactory demand.Click for more information on graphite supply and demand from the EV space. How is graphite priced? Speaking of prices, how much does graphite cost? Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get exact figures. Unlike gold, silver and other commodities, graphite is not traded on an exchange. Instead, graphite miners will typically set up offtake agreements under which end users agree to buy a specific amount of graphite over a particular period of time.That setup comes with a variety of issues for graphite companies and market participants, but for many investors the key concern is that they can feel like they’re operating blind. After all, it’s hard to get an idea of whether a company is putting out good results without having an idea of how much it will be able to sell its product for.Luckily, some industry experts are looking to increase transparency in the graphite sector. Benchmark is one firm that provides accurate and up-to-date information on pricing for both natural graphite and synthetic graphite. Fastmarkets also provides price data for graphite and a number of other important battery metals.Click here for more information on current graphite pricing. How to invest in graphite? While the graphite market is compelling, it can be tricky for investors to gain a toehold in the space. As noted, graphite is not traded on an exchange, meaning that investors can’t get exposure to the physical material. What’s more, it isn’t easy to invest in graphite-mining companies — most of the largest graphite producers are in China, and in many cases are privately owned or only listed on Asian exchanges.For that reason, many investors choose to invest in graphite exploration and development companies. While some have struggled to move forward for the reasons discussed above, there are still plenty that have good projects and are making progress. To help investors who are looking at graphite, the Investing News Network has put together a list of the top graphite companies on the TSXV and TSX with year-to-date gains, as well as biggest ASX graphite stocks. This is an updated version of an article originally published by the Investing News Network in 2015.Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

FXEmpire.com - Natural gas pauses its ascent to again test resistance around the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement, which is at 2.24. Today’s high was 2.23, at the time of this writing, and natural gas is poised to end Tuesday with an inside day bullish doji hammer candlestick pattern.

In trading on Tuesday, shares of ArcelorMittal SA (Symbol: MT) crossed below their 200 day moving average of $25.95, changing hands as low as $25.49 per share. ArcelorMittal SA shares are currently trading off about 1.4% on the day. The chart below shows the one year performan

FXEmpire.com - Natural Gas

FXEmpire.com - Gold Gold 070524 Daily Chart Gold pulls back despite falling Treasury yields. From a big picture point of view, gold continues consolidation after the recent pullback.

FXEmpire.com - U.S. Natural Gas Market Trends U.S. natural gas futures remained nearly unchanged on Tuesday, with the market benefiting from a three-day rally. The outlook appears favorable for growth as short-term and intermediate trend lines show upward movement. This optimisti

FXEmpire.com - Natural Gas Technical Analysis You can see that we are going to go back and forth right around the $2 level and I think a short term pullback is likely to attract a lot of attention as we did break out of the range. Now, I do think we are in the process of building

FXEmpire.com - Market Overview Oil prices increased on Tuesday following Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, Gaza, amidst ongoing but unresolved ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. T

Gold's record move above US$2,400 per ounce has sparked much discussion about price drivers. Speaking to the Investing News Network, Ross Norman of MetalsDaily.com explained China's key role in the metal's increase. To start, he noted that the buying that took gold to the US$2,050 or US$2,100 level was largely high-quality purchases from central banks, which have been adding the yellow metal to their coffers at a strong pace. "Central bank buying is quality because it's unlikely to be sold if there's a significant price correction. It's for the very long term — think multi-generational," Norman said. He added that Chinese buying also supported that move. "(Chinese) retail buying is strong, central bank buying is strong. Institutional buying is strong on exchange-traded funds. Added to that, China is having its Costco (NASDAQ:COST) moment in the sense that Gen Z and Millennials are buying gold — at high premiums might I add — in gold beans," Norman continued. All of those factors were in place earlier this year, but on March 1, when gold started to take off, something changed. "It was clear that there was a very significant large player in the market, and they were driving it massively higher," said Norman. "Spoiler alert — it was more China. Even more than we expected." He determined that the buying was coming from speculators on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE)."The Chinese threw themselves speculatively at gold. They took it to an all-time high of US$2,430, US$100 above where we are now. And then the market corrected lower. Now, the reason for that is the exchanges, particularly the Chinese exchanges, (the Shanghai Gold Exchange) and SHFE, significantly increased initial margins, effectively putting a speed bump in terms of trading gold. The COMEX did the same, by the way, as well at the same time. The exchanges are saying these markets are too hot, calm down. We're going to make it more expensive for you to deal in them." Once that happened, Chinese traders became less interested and the gold price pulled back. "In a nutshell, if you like, gold has moved higher, significantly higher, to around US$2,100, on quality buying. The last US$200 on top of that arguably is of a vulnerable nature because it's futures buying," he said.Watch the interview above for more from Norman on what's going on with gold right now. Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.

David Erfle, editor and founder of Junior Miner Junky, shared his thoughts on gold, explaining what factors have pushed it to new levels, why it's now consolidating and how high it could go in 2024. In his view, the yellow metal started to break out for macroeconomic reasons, and picked up momentum when tensions in the Middle East heated up. With the situation now looking calmer, gold has pulled back. Erfle said gold could correct all the way back down to US$2,200, but emphasized that he remains bullish. "It could correct down to US$2,200 and still be in an uptrend," he explained. "Gold's got a lot going for it right now, and ... there's a lot of uncertainty in the stock market, there's a lot of uncertainty in Fed policy. So I'm really not concerned about the gold price. I'm more concerned about when the gold stocks are going to finally start to react like they historically react, and show two to three times leverage on the gold price, which they've failed to do thus far." When asked about gold's upside potential, Erfle said that after a period of consolidation he sees US$3,000 as the next target. While that's not guaranteed to happen in 2024, he said he wouldn't be surprised if gold got there. He also discussed silver, including what it will take for the white metal to get past US$30 per ounce.Erfle noted that he doesn't think the US Federal Reserve will lower interest rates until it's forced to, and that's when he thinks silver will move. "Being 'forced to' means the stock market really starting to crack and go lower — the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) getting below 4,900 and really starting to move lower during an election year," he said. "Once you get the silver price breaking out above US$30, I think that will really get the bull market going in gold, and especially gold stocks. And we also need to see the gold-silver ratio trending below 80," Erfle concluded. Watch the interview for more of his thoughts on gold and silver.Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.

There’s more than one way to invest in copper. In addition to buying shares of copper stocks, investors can gain exposure through copper exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or copper exchange-traded notes (ETNs).For the uninitiated, ETFs are securities that trade like stocks on an exchange, but track an index, commodity, bonds or a basket of assets like an index fund. In the case of base metal copper, there are various options — an ETF can track specific groups of copper-focused companies, as well as copper futures contracts or even physical copper.ETNs also track an underlying asset and trade like stocks on an exchange, but they differ from ETFs in some ways. Specifically, ETNs are more like bonds — they are unsecured debt notes issued by an institution, and can be held to maturity or bought and sold at will. The main disadvantage to be aware of is that investors risk total default if an ETN’s underwriter goes bankrupt.The copper outlook is strong due to structural supply deficits and positive demand fundamentals, and many investors are wondering how to take advantage of this good news in the copper market.Here the Investing News Network presents five copper ETFs and one copper ETN that may be worth considering. All data was current as of April 23, 2024. Read on to learn more about these vehicles. 1. Global X Copper Miners ETF (ARCA:COPX) {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Corporation","name":"Global X Copper Miners ETF","url":"https://investingnews.com/stocks/arca-copx/global-x-copper-miners-etf/","description":"The investment seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Solactive Global Copper Miners Total Return Index.","tickerSymbol":"ARCA:COPX","sameAs":[],"image":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52094677&width=980","logo":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52094677&width=210"} ETF Profile Assets under management (AUM): US$2.12 billionThe Global X Copper Miners ETF tracks the Solactive Global Copper Miners Index, which covers copper exploration companies, developers and producers. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.65 percent.COPX currently has 37 holdings, of which the top companies include Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN,OTCQX:IVPAF), Lundin Mining (TSX:LUN,OTC Pink:LUNMF) and Southern Copper (NYSE:SCCO). Buy now , 2. United States Copper Index Fund (ARCA:CPER) {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Corporation","name":"United States Copper Index Fund","url":"https://investingnews.com/stocks/arca-cper/united-states-copper-index-fund/","description":"The investment seeks the daily changes in percentage terms of its shares per share net asset value (NAV) to reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of the SummerHaven Copper Index Total...","tickerSymbol":"ARCA:CPER","sameAs":[],"image":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52095085&width=980","logo":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52095085&width=210"} ETF Profile AUM: US$193.37 millionThe United States Copper Index Fund aims to give investors exposure to a portfolio of copper futures without using a commodity futures account. It also has an expense ration of 0.65 percent.The fund tracks the performance of the SummerHaven Copper Index Total Return (INDEXNYSEGIS:SCITR), which is calculated based on certain copper futures contracts selected on a monthly basis. Buy now , 3. iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (NASDAQ:ICOP) {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Corporation","name":"iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF","url":"https://investingnews.com/stocks/nasdaq-icop/ishares-copper-and-metals-mining-etf/","description":"The investment seeks to track the investment results of the FTSE Green Revenues Select Infrastructure and Industrials Index composed of...","tickerSymbol":"NASDAQ:ICOP","sameAs":[],"image":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52095917&width=980","logo":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52095917&width=210"} ETF Profile AUM: US$15.03 millionThe iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF tracks the STOXX Global Copper and Metals Mining Index, which is composed of public companies primarily engaged in copper and metal mining. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.47 percent.More than 31 percent of ICOP's 35 holdings are based in Canada, while nearly 12 percent call Australia home; 11 percent are located in the US. The fund's top holdings include Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX), Southern Copper, Ivanhoe and major miner BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP). Buy now , 4. Sprott Copper Miners ETF (NASDAQ:COPP) {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Corporation","name":"Sprott Copper Miners ETF","url":"https://investingnews.com/stocks/nasdaq-copp/sprott-copper-miners-etf/","description":"Invest in Critical Minerals Driving the Energy Transition ","tickerSymbol":"NASDAQ:COPP","sameAs":[],"image":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52096544&width=980","logo":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52096544&width=210"} ETF Profile AUM: US$21.3 millionSprott Asset Management bills its newly launched Copper Miners ETF as "the only pure-play ETF focused on large-, mid- and small-cap copper mining companies that are providing a critical mineral necessary for the clean energy transition." Having come to market in March 2024, this fund has an expense ration of 0.65 percent.COPP tracks 40 constituents, with more than 33 percent based in Canada, another nearly 33 percent based in the US and about 11 percent based in Chile. The fund's top holdings include Freeport-McMoRan, Antofagasta (LSE:ANTO,OTC Pink:ANFGF) and Southern Copper. Buy now , 5. Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF (NASDAQ:COPJ) {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Corporation","name":"Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF","url":"https://investingnews.com/stocks/nasdaq-copj/sprott-junior-copper-miners-etf/","description":"Invest in Energy's Power Player","tickerSymbol":"NASDAQ:COPJ","sameAs":[],"image":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52096570&width=980","logo":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52096570&width=210"} ETF Profile AUM: US$8.63 millionLaunched in February 2023, the Sprott Junior Copper Miners is a pure-play ETF that, as its name suggests, is focused on small copper miners. It has the largest expense ratio (0.75 percent) of the funds on this list.Of its 40 holdings, more than 55 percent call Canada home, while another 21 percent are in Australia and 6.5 percent are based out of Peru. COPJ's top three holdings are Taseko Mines (TSX:TKO,NYSEAMERICAN:TGB), Hudbay Minerals (NYSE:HBM) and Compania de Minas Buenaventura (NYSE:BVN). Buy now , 6. iPath Series B Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return ETN (ARCA:JJC) {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Corporation","name":"iPath Series B Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return ETN","url":"https://investingnews.com/stocks/arca-jjc/ipath-series-b-bloomberg-copper-subindex-total-return-etn/","description":"The investment seeks return linked to the performance of the Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total ReturnSM. The ETN offers exposure to futures contracts and not direct exposure to the physical commodities.","tickerSymbol":"ARCA:JJC","sameAs":[],"image":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52096593&width=980","logo":"https://investingnews.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=52096593&width=210"} ETN Profile AUM: US$37.97 millionThe iPath Series B Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return ETN provides exposure to the Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return. According to ETF Database, "For investors seeking exposure to copper beyond physical exposure or through a mining firm, JJC is the only pure play choice available." It has the lowest expense ratio on this list, coming in at 0.45 percent.Unlike an ETF, an ETN does not own the underlying asset. Instead, an ETN functions in the same way as an uninsured bond. Investopedia states that investors take their profits when they sell the note or it reaches maturity. Buy now , This is an updated version of an article originally published by the Investing News Network in 2015.Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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After months of negotiations, Boliden (STO:BOL) has reached an agreement with worker's unions and local management to reopen the Tara operation, which is Europe’s largest zinc mine.Tara, operated by the Sweden-based mining company, is an underground zinc and lead mine with a production capacity of 2.6 million metric tons (MT) per year, making it the largest zinc mine in the continent.Located in Navan, Ireland, the Tara mine's reopening follows its closure in July 2023 due to a combination of challenges, including unfavorable zinc price trends and operational hurdles.The accord, aimed at ensuring a more financially viable operation, includes substantial changes in work practices and productivity enhancements. Among the provisions is an optimized mining plan aimed at reducing transportation distances and maximizing metal output, with the initial production rate set at 1.8 million MT annually. This overhaul is also projected to slash the mine's normal cash cost to approximately US$1 per pound of zinc, compared to US$1.37 per pound recorded in the first half of 2023. This reduction is attributed to improved energy price outlooks, lower benchmark treatment charges and heightened productivity levels.The restructuring effort will entail a one-off cost of approximately 30 million euros, which is expected to have a negative impact in the year's second quarter. It will also involve a workforce reduction, with the number of employees set to decrease to around 400 full-time equivalents, down from over 600 prior to the care-and-maintenance period.The phased return of employees is slated to begin in Q3, accompanied by an onboarding and retraining program.Production is set to start ramping up in Q4, with full output expected by January 2025. Despite the anticipated increase in operational activity, Tara is projected to incur an estimated operating loss of 25 million euros per quarter during the second half of 2024, compared to 13 million euros per quarter during care and maintenance.Exploration efforts at the Tara Deep deposit will recommence in the latter half of 2024. Zinc’s 2023 fundamentals set stage for 2024 growth 2023 marked a period of challenges and fluctuations for the zinc market.Although prices rose rapidly to start the year, buoyed by smelter bottlenecks in Europe and dwindling London Metal Exchange (LME) stockpiles, the market soon encountered headwinds due to high supply.Tara's closure in mid-June provided a small price boost. The move, driven by a combination of low zinc prices and high mining costs, caused a 5 percent surge in zinc prices on the LME, rising to US$2,491.Prior to that bump, zinc prices had experienced a significant downturn, plummeting to US$2,248.50, their lowest point of the year, on May 31. This decline was primarily attributed to weakening demand, particularly stemming from a slump in China's real estate sector, which reverberated across the broader base metals market.European energy price reductions further compounded the situation, enabling improved economic conditions and the resumption of smelting operations, thus increasing zinc supply.This year, however, zinc prices have been rebounding, passing US$2,900 at the end of April. In March, experts attributed the metal's rise to investors unwinding significant bearish positions on the LME.“Short-covering has been the driver of recent gains,” Marex Group analyst Al Munro told Bloomberg.More recently, supply concerns have started to buoy prices. Although companies like Boliden are bringing assets back online, zinc mine output has declined for the last two years and isn't set to grow much in 2023. Meanwhile, zinc smelters are grappling with a sharp reduction in processing fees, a trend also observed in the copper market. Analysts anticipate potential further cuts as miners struggle to ramp up output to meet demand.At the end of the trading day in London, zinc was priced at US$2,903 on the LME. Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.