The metals brokerage market is consolidating as regulatory costs rise, but the growth of Asian demand means this is still a valuable business for those with the right scale and organisation.
Latest articles from Commodities & Energy

Oil hedging on the rise
June 1, 2012Airline companies used to be one of the only markets that hedged their exposure to oil. But with the steep rise in crude prices over the past five years, many more firms are following suit, and now sovereigns in emerging markets are doing the same.

Brazil's ethanol production industry running on empty
June 1, 2012Brazil produces 20% of the world’s ethanol, much of which goes towards fuelling the country’s cars. However, in recent years a combination of poor harvests, gasoline subsidies and the global financial crisis have seen investment in the industry grind to a halt. Will it be revived by the elimination of trade taxes on sugar cane ethanol in the US?

CFTC commodity rules divide financial world
December 1, 2011The US's Commodity Futures Trading Commission's new rules were passed by a slim majority of three to two and met with much chagrin as those opposing the changes threatened legal action. But with its position limit levels set wide, how will the reforms actually affect investment banks?

Can the UK stage its own shale gas revolution?
December 1, 2011The UK is reported to be sitting on enough shale gas to cover its gas consumption for more than 60 years. But unlike the US, concerns surrounding mineral rights, a greater population density and its impact on the environment means pushing ahead with exploration is easier said than done.

Eurozone troubles bring commodities market squeeze
December 1, 2011As the eurozone crisis rages on, the commodities markets, long reliant on European banks for financing, have been thrown into a state of instability that is having major repercussions across the industry.

Do speculators help or hinder the commodities markets?
December 1, 2011With global food prices hitting a record high in 2011, debate about the role of speculators in causing these spikes continues to rage. Is the 'financialisation' of commodities markets here to stay?
Are commodity currencies coming off the boil?
October 3, 2011Commodity currencies have posted record gains in the past two years, fuelled by spiralling demand for food and materials. But some of these countries are now struggling to offset runaway inflation, and the rate of inflows is such that central banks are becoming increasingly helpless to reverse the pressure on their currency.

Morgan Stanley digs deep to pass Glencore challenge
August 1, 2011The listing of Swiss commodity trading and mining group Glencore caused a few headaches for joint global coordinator Morgan Stanley. However, the impressive list of investors it helped secure shows that there is a big global appetite for commodities.

Mozambique looks beyond mega projects
August 1, 2011Mozambique’s economy is booming and unlikely to slow down anytime soon. But the majority of the growth is down to its abundant natural resources, which has not trickled down to the bulk of the population. The government is now focusing on boosting the rest of the economy.