Some numbers arising from New Core demand

COLUMN: “Let’s Shoot the Speculators!” by Robert J. Samuelson, Newsweek, 7-14 July 2008, p. 18.

Obviously, the title is sarcastic. Point of piece is rising demand from emerging markets, that drive up prices in following percentages since 2002:

+ aluminum 95%

+ copper 360%

+ corn 70%

+ gold 125% (isn’t it ALWAYS a good time to buy gold?)

+ nickel 452% (screw gold, buy nickel)

+ oil 177%

+ steel 117%

+ zinc 314%.

Demand constitutes real power in this era, not supply.

Comments

[William R. Cumming.]

Business Week reports over $2Trillion in hedge fund monies unreported and unregulated. Wonder if they are in commodities? I argue hedging and speculating are different arts and maybe different players but who knows. One finished material (cement) seems to be a real indicator since China just crossed the 50% consumption mark of world-wide supply. WOW!