Alrosa PJSC has recorded 45 percent growth in sales for the fourth quarter of 2015. The rebound in the global diamonds market helped Alrosa post encouraging performance. The diamonds prices in the global market fell over 18 percent in 2015.
Basic Materials
Iluka ceases production at Jacinth-Ambrosia project; to trim 33 jobs
Iluka Resources said it will cease production in zircon operation at Jacinth-Ambrosia project in South Australia following fall in zircon prices. The company's decision will positively impact the global market.
Canada quietly parts ways with its gold; sells more than half of the reserves
Over the recent weeks, Canada has been seen quietly disposing of its gold reserves, so much that the reserves now stand at 0.62 tons. The decision to sell the yellow metal is said to be issued straight from the Finance Minister, Bill Morneau's office.
Amplats profits dropped by an alarming 86%
Amplats revealed a shocking 86% loss in its 2015 earnings report. The world's largest metal producer is facing a grim situation of reduced capital expenditure, mine closure, employment cutbacks, and shelving of projects.
Oil Prices: Nigeria's National Oil Company Announced an Annual Loss of $1.34 Billion
The loss is combined from its corporate service unit and its three refineries. The total annual loss was consistent with the company's continuing monthly loss over the past year. Nigeria, as Africa's biggest economy and largest oil producer, has been greatly suffered the oil prices fall.
Latest News
Anglo American's copper production and from retained operations rose 23 percent for the fourth quarter of 2015. The overall copper equivalent basis production for 2015 rose five percent when compared with 2014. Majority of metals including copper, coal, nickel and iron ore tumbled during the second half of 2015. The copper inventory of Anglo American was at 197,631 tons as on 2015.
Despite economy growth rate of over seven percent, the Indian stock markets are suffering from the selloff by foreign investors. The domestic stock markets may enter bear territory soon after the fall in Shanghai and Tokyo markets. The cash-strapped foreign investors are offloading in Indian stocks since November 2015. On the other hand, Asian stocks gaining momentum following the marginal rebound in oil price.
The stockpiles levels in China, the biggest commodity consumer, are impacting copper prices in the global markets. Copper price is hovering at $4,400 per metric ton and is moving in consolidation phase. Chinese smelters may cut down output and stop increasing capacities this year.
Alcoa Inc. announced that it will shut down one of the U.S.’s biggest aluminum smelters, Warrick Operations in Evansville, IN. The closure is expected to result in the loss of 1,270 jobs.
Petra Diamond Ltd and Ekapa Minerals Pty have acquired De Beers oldest diamond mine in Kimberley. UK's Petra Diamond Ltd partners with South African's Ekapa Minerals Pty to buy the oldest mines of De Beers in South Africa.
Copper price slipped below $2.40/lb (1lb=453.59265gm), a key support level, and was trading at $2.3260. With the $2.4 level becoming the key resistance level, the copper price needs to break this level to gain upward movement.
Lowe's Companies Inc reports this year's second quarter net earnings at $1.13 billion, an eight percent increase from last year's $1.04 billion.
Shares of U.S.-based agribusiness Andersons Inc (ANDE.O) jumped more than 6 percent on Friday, outpacing the sector, after a Bloomberg News report speculated that Glencore PLC (GLEN.L) could be interested in acquiring the company.
BHP Billiton has put far less debt than expected into its $13 billion South32 spin-off, positioning the company formed from its unloved assets to weather tough markets and still pay a dividend.
