China's rebar prices remained unchanged on Tuesday February 13 with trading pretty much coming to a complete halt in major markets ahead of the Chinese New Year.Domestic Eastern China (Shanghai): 3,860-3,920 yuan ($611-620) per tonne, unchanged Northern China (Beijing): 3,950-3,990 yuan per tonne, unchanged Spot prices held steady since most market participants started their break well...Read More

"We contend that the liquidation of the VIX ETPs last week was not due solely to flaws in the design of these products, but instead was driven largelyContinue...Read More

By Axel Merk"Don't panic, buy the dip, who cares?" or "These are rumblings of an earthquake, people will be hurt like in 1929" - which one is it? I would call it a wake-up call. Let me explain:In recent years, markets had appeared eerily "safe". Central banks promised to do "whatever it takes", provided "forward guidance" to keep rates low, even printed money to buy government debt, calling it "...Read More

Import prices for steel billet in Southeast Asia were flat amid sparse trading activity over the past week, while those for slab in the wider region encompassing East Asia edged up on impending drop in consumers' inventories.Metal Bulletin's assessment of import prices for billet in Southeast Asia was $535-550 per tonne cfr for the week ended Monday February 12, unchanged from a week earlier.Deals...Read More

By Frank HolmesToday I'd like to share a few words about the Olympics, but first, two words: Don't panic.The stock selloffs last Monday and Thursday were the two biggest daily point drops in the history of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, but in terms of percentage point losses, they don't even come close to cracking the top 10 worst days in the past 10 years alone.After a year of record closin...Read More

Gold has staged a superb rebound from the $1310 support zone, but that was overshadowed by the truly spectacular reversals takingContinue...Read More

Boise, Idaho (February 12, 2018) - The Idaho State House today overwhelming approved a bill which helps restore constitutional, sound money in the Gem State. State representatives voted 60-9 to pass House Bill 449 sending the measure introduced by House Majority Leader Mike Moyle and Senate Assistant Majority Leader Steve Vick to the Senate for a hearing in the Local Government and Taxation Co...Read More

Chinese vanadium markets flattened last week ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday, while US and European prices continued to be reinforced by falling regional inventories. Chinese price flatlines ahead of Chinese New Year holiday  European market rebounds on spot demand uptick, tight market  US market resumes strength on continued supply concerns Few exporters were quoting over the pas...Read More

Peter KrauthSilver prices in 2018 weren't immune from the stock market's turbulence last week. But silver prices held up better than stocks, and the brief downturn makes this an excellent silver buying opportunity…As the stock sell-off gained intensity, silver eventually followed the rest of the market. It's a reminder that silver is not gold, and investors would be wise not to ignore its le...Read More

- Gold has outperformed equities and bonds over the long term - PwC Research- Gold is up 6.7% and 6.8% per annum over 10 and 20 year periods; Stocks and bonds returned less than 5.2% respectively over same period (see PwC table)- From 1971 to 2016 (45 years), "gold real returns were approximately 10% while inflation increased 4%"- Gold also valuable due to lack of correlation and hedge against...Read More

Peter KrauthIt's Economics 101. Price works to balance supply and demand. Limited supply causes higher prices; higher prices help curb demand.Well, a potentially very profitable twist on that equation is playing out right now in the silver market. Mined silver supplies have been drying up over the past few years, while silver prices have climbed 20% in the same time frame.But the exciting opportun...Read More

The Indian government is to impose a 20% export duty on graphite electrodes from April 1, according to the International Rebar Producers & Exporters Association (Irepas).The Indian government has included a provision to change customs tariffs for certain products including electrodes in its 2018 finance bill, which is currently being debated and is expected to be put to a vote for approval by the...Read More

A summary of base metals premiums across the globe for the week to Tuesday February 13.Read More

RAPAPORT... Mountain Province Diamonds has posted its highest monthly sales total to date, as better-quality production and improved demand drove rough prices higher in February.The company sold a total of 351,000 carats from its Gahcho Ku?(C) mine for $27.3 million during the month, at an average of $78 per carat. The increase from $53 per carat in December was due in part to an improvement...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Thailand's Ministry of Commerce's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) will hold the 61st edition of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (BGJF) under the theme of "Heritage & Craftsmanship".   The February 21 to 25 fair will "highlight Thailand's cultural heritage and the exquisite craftsmanship of Thai artisans that is internationally renowned". The 61s...Read More

LONDON – Robert Mugabe’s fall as Zimbabwe president is setting the scene for the return of a London mining listing for Andrew Groves and his long-term business partner – and former England cricketer – Phil Edmonds.Groves is preparing to relist the pair’s Zimbabwe coal, chrome and gold assets in London through the reverse takeover of a cash shell, or dormant company. H...Read More

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were in positive territory across the board at the close on Tuesday February 13, after the complex was boosted by a weaker dollar and continued to rebound following last week's sell-off."LME base metals are showing their strength once again and pushing back up to the high levels seen before the sell-off. The market needs to stabilize back at these le...Read More

RAPAPORT... Alrosa's sales surged 38% to $504.5 million in January, as a strong holiday season boosted market sentiment. "We have seen good demand for the whole assortment of ourdiamond products," Yury Okoemov, deputy CEO of Alrosa, said Monday. "[Demand was]supported by positive trends in the major sales markets, backed by good retailsales results in 2017, including the Christmas season, and grow...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. said its recently completed first diamond sale of 2018 produced the highest result to date in total dollar terms, with total sales of $27.3 million for an average value per carat of $78, and $83 on a normalized basis.   Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Ku?(C) diamond mine located in Canada's Nort...Read More

MOSCOW – Russia's Alrosa said on Monday it had sold rough and polished diamonds worth $504.5-million in January.Rough diamond sales had amounted to $499-million and polished diamond sales to $5.5-million, it said in a statement.Advertisement“Earlier this year, we have seen good demand for the whole assortment of our diamond products," said deputy CEO Yury Okoemov."It was...Read More