TORONTO, ON - August 31, 2015 /CNW/ - After rallying in the second quarter, Scotiabank's Commodity Price Index turned lower again in July, dropping -6.7% month-over-month (m/m) and -29.4% year-over-year (yr/yr).
"An ongoing battle for market share in oil -- recently exacerbated by heightened concern over a further slowing in the Chinese economy -- combined with consternation over possible Fed monetary policy tightening in September have largely accounted for commodity price weakness," said Patricia Mohr, Vice President of Economics and Commodity Market Specialist at Scotiabank.
"The strength of the trade-weighted U.S. dollar has had a notable deflationary impact on commodity prices, most of which are priced in U.S. dollars. Broad-based currency depreciation against the U.S. dollar by key commodity producing countries -- Canada, Australia, Mexico and LATAM -- will boost local currency receipts and help producers weather the storm. However, U.S. producers are at a severe competitive disadvantage.
"Concern that a slowing Chinese economy could further pull down global growth has pressured base metal prices in August. However, additional monetary policy easing by China on August 25 -- aimed at meeting its 7% GDP growth target -- has steadied base metals and most commodity prices (we expect growth of 6.8% in 2015)."
Other highlights from the report include:
Read the full Scotiabank Commodity Price Index online at: http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,3112,00.html.
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