The FINANCIAL — Commodities were lower in October, led by Energy and Agriculture, due to increasing supply expectations for select commodities, according to Credit Suisse AG, one of the world's leading financial services providers.
The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index Total Return decreased 1.48% in October. Overall, 13 out of 22 index constituents posted negative returns. Energy ended the month 2.62% lower following larger-than-expected increases in inventories, which weighed on WTI Crude Oil. Natural Gas also declined on the back of mild weather forecasts and expectations of continued production growth. Agriculture declined 2.26%, led lower by Cotton and Coffee. Expectations of a large US corn and soybean crop also weighed on the sector as harvests were reported to be 59% and 77% complete at the end of the month, respectively. Corn also fell on expectations that the US would reduce its targets for usage of renewable energy fuels such as ethanol. Precious Metals was relatively unchanged, up 0.01%. The sector was supported by the US Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain its economic stimulus measures, but positive US economic data and a strengthening US dollar limited gains. Industrial Metals increased 0.42%, led by Nickel and Zinc. Zinc gained on expectations that global demand will increase. Preliminary surveys also showed that China's manufacturing sector strengthened further in October, although mixed signals in important areas including export orders suggested a recovery in their economy will be gradual. Livestock gained 1.45%, led by Lean Hogs. Live Cattle also increased following a Cattle on Feed report which revealed expectations of lower fed cattle and beef production for the fourth quarter, according to CREDIT SUISSE GROUP AG.
“The recent improvements in the global economy have led macroeconomic uncertainty to fall back to pre-crisis levels for the first time since the failure of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, according to the University of Stanford's daily US policy uncertainty index. This may contribute to a further decrease in cross-asset class correlations, improving the diversification benefits of commodities. We continue to expect supply-side fundamentals to play an increasing role in individual commodity returns,” said Nelson Louie, Global Head of Commodities in Credit Suisse’s Asset Management business.
“As anticipated, the October FOMC statement was very similar to that released after the FOMC’s previous meeting in September. The future of fiscal policy will most likely hinge on if the federal government averts another shutdown in mid-January. A shutdown may also once again impact monetary policy, with the previous instance potentially forcing the Federal Reserve to delay tapering, after well-telegraphing it in the early summer. The Fed has gone to great lengths to ensure the marketplace that they will err on the side of tightening too late rather than too early. While most are not currently concerned with inflation, it may materialize faster than expected should economic growth exceed expectations,“ said Christopher Burton, Senior Portfolio Manager for the Credit Suisse Total Commodity Return Strategy.
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