Inflation concerns are certainly wreaking havoc on the overall stock market right now. Indeed, growth stocks are seeing selling pressure the likes of which haven’t really be seen in some time.Accordingly, there may be an inclination for many investors to take profits at these levels and seek refuge. Commodities plays have provided such a refuge of late.Indeed, investors seeking some commodit...Read More

We all know investing in the market comes with inherent risk. As valuations continue to soar, these risks become more pronounced.Accordingly, for those unsure of where to put their money to work, diversifying into defensive plays is a great idea. Such stocks provide certainty, even in the most volatile markets.Among Canadian defensive plays, these three stocks are near the top of my list. Let&rsqu...Read More

Heading into the summer months, the economy is going through a major transition, creating significant investment opportunities. Not only is the economy recovering well, but with growing inflation and changing consumer preferences after the pandemic, there are various high-quality Canadian stock ideas to consider in June 2021.What’s important for investors to remember is that you can take adv...Read More

There’s no question it’s tough to find value these days. Stocks have been recovering for over a year, and the TSX just hit a new record high again last week, so value stocks are certainly sparse in today’s environment.Finding value stocks doesn’t always have to be the traditional idea of low price-to-earnings and price-to-book metrics. Sometimes finding growth stocks t...Read More

Canadian markets are up almost 80% since the epic crash last year. While I don’t see a bubble and hopeful of an economic recovery, I think some areas of the markets certainly look overvalued. Rising inflation could pull these TSX stocks down in the short to medium term. At the same time, few Canadian stocks are currently trading at a discounted valuation, which indicates strong upside potent...Read More

Amid rising oil prices, Canada’s consumer price index (CPI) in April rose to 3.4%, which was the fastest rise in over a decade. Given the commitment by Biden’s administration towards higher fiscal expenditure and the federal bank’s expansionary monetary policy, I don’t expect inflation to cool down soon. In an inflationary environment, value stocks tend to outperform growth...Read More

After a long bear market in uranium shown via the Global X Uranium ETF chart below, it’s showing signs of a potential turnaround. The ETF’s top 10 holdings include Cameco (TSX:CCO)(NYSE:CCJ), NexGen Energy (TSX:NXE), and Denison Mines.URA Total Return Level data by YCharts.Some investors believe a uranium bull market has just begun this year. One of the largest global providers of uran...Read More

Given where valuations are today in the market, concerns are brewing that we’re in the midst of a massive bubble.Indeed, using the “Warren Buffett greed indicator” as a benchmark, valuations right now are disproportionately high. As a percentage of GDP, the value of the overall stock market is at a level we haven’t seen historically.Now, interest rates are also near histori...Read More

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Monday June 7 that are worth another look.ArcelorMittal is seeking approval from European authorities for its acquisition of steelmaking assets in France that belong to Liberty Steel, the European Commission (EC) said on June 7.Fresh deals for the supply of aluminium ingot...Read More

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were largely down at the 5pm close on Monday June 7, with the exception of lead which held strongly amid the ongoing and tightly contested presidential election in Peru. "Lead and zinc are trading in their own tandem due to the close presidential election call in Peru," Fastmarkets analyst Andy Farida said. The lead price closed at $2,153 per tonne t...Read More

Physical commodities trading company Trafigura Pte Ltd and agricultural commodities firm Yara International ASA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development and promotion of ammonia as a clean fuel in shipping, Trafigura said. The companies have also agreed to explore opportunities to work together on certain clean green and blue ammonia fuel infrastructure and...Read More

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Monday June 7 that are worth another look.ArcelorMittal is seeking approval from European authorities for its acquisition of steelmaking assets in France that belong to Liberty Steel, the European Commission (EC) said on June 7.Fresh deals for the supply of aluminium ingot...Read More

Brazilian exports of alumina decreased by 7.81% in May 2021 over the corresponding month of last year, mainly due to reduced shipments from Norsk Hydro's Alunorte refinery, according to data published in the week ended Friday June 4 by the country's ministry of economy.The country exported 718,843 tonnes of alumina in May, down from 779,769 tonnes a year before. The volume also fell month on month...Read More

Seaborne manganese ore prices jumped by as much as 12% during the week to Friday June 4 after miners hiked offers amid rising freight costs, a stronger South African rand and strength downstream.Fastmarkets' manganese ore 44% Mn, cif Tianjin jumped by 58 cents (12.30%) to $5.29 per dry metric tonne (dmtu) on Friday, from $4.71 per dmtu a week prior.Fastmarkets' manganese ore index 37% Mn, cif Tian...Read More

Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Monday June 7 that are worth another look.ArcelorMittal is seeking approval from European authorities for its acquisition of steelmaking assets in France that belong to Liberty Steel, the European Commission (EC) said on June 7.Fresh deals for the supply of aluminium ingot...Read More

Belgian battery-materials manufacturer Umicore has appointed Mathias Miedreich chief executive officer to succeed Marc Grynberg, with the appointment to take effect in the fourth quarter of 2021, the company said on Monday June 7.Grynberg and Miedreich will work together to achieve a smooth transition, the company said.Miedreich has worked at Faurecia, a global automotive supplier with a strong fo...Read More

The latest forecasts from Fastmarkets' team of analysts are ready to view.Chinese steel scrap prices were supported by firm downstream steel prices earlier this year, but they fell sharply over the second half of May. The drop in scrap prices in the latter half of the month came after authorities signalled a wish to cool down commodity prices, including those for steel and steelmaking raw material...Read More

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mainly lower this morning, Monday June 7, after the rally sparked by Friday's worse-than-expected US employment report ran out of steam.China's imports climbed 51% and exports were up 28% year on year in May.The US Dollar Index weakened after Friday's disappointing employment report in the United States.Base metalsLME three-month base metals pri...Read More

Belgian battery-materials manufacturer Umicore has appointed Mathias Miedreich chief executive officer to succeed Marc Grynberg, with the appointment to take effect in the fourth quarter of 2021, the company said on Monday June 7.Grynberg and Miedreich will work together to achieve a smooth transition, the company said.Miedreich has worked at Faurecia, a global automotive supplier with a strong fo...Read More

China's nickel sulfate price widened upward amid a continuous shortage of mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) in the week to Friday June 4 although the availability of alternative raw materials continues to restrain the price rise, sources told Fastmarkets. Fastmarkets assessed the nickel sulfate min 21%, max 22.5%, cobalt 10ppm max, exw China at 33,000-34,000 yuan ($5,154-5,311) per tonne on F...Read More