Chinese iron ore has stellar 2019
China’s iron ore futures were the best performing commodity in 2019, more than doubling in value while natural gas ranked as the biggest loser, dropping by more than a quarter.
Crude oil, Malaysian palm oil, precious metals, nickel and arabica coffee were among other gainers.
Supply disruptions played a role in fuelling gains, ranging from a dam collapse at Vale’s iron ore mine in Brazil to crude oil export cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and lower palm oil production in Southeast Asia.
Analysts said slowing global economic growth and expectations of a prolonged Washington-Beijing trade war are likely to drive prices next year.
“The economy isn’t that great. It has been slowing down, especially China and India,” said Tony Nunan, senior advisor for the risk management team at Mitsubishi Corp in Tokyo. “A lot of people feel that this trade war is going to be protracted, last longer than we think. That means the economy may be in a slow period next year.”
The White House’s trade adviser said on Monday the US-China Phase 1 trade deal would likely be signed in the next week, but said confirmation would come from President Donald Trump or the US Trade Representative.
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