Hot Topics in Global Metals & Mining Each Week, BMO Equity Research Metal Matters

BMO Equity Research Metal Matters

Hot Topics in Global Metals & Mining Each Week

Featuring Colin Hamilton, Commodities analyst at BMO Capital Markets, Metal Matters discusses the hot topics in Global Metals & Mining each week.

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul><li>Aluminium prices have been hitting three year highs and outperforming copper</li><li>China's five year plan emphasizes consumption and trade links, but there are concerns about economic slowdown</li><li>Chief economist Doug Porter discusses Fed funds rate and potential rate cuts, leaning towards a dovish view for 2026</li></ul>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Aluminium prices have been hitting three year highs and outperforming copperChina's five year plan emphasizes consumption and trade links, but there are concerns about economic slowdownChief economist Doug Porter discusses Fed funds rate and potential rate cuts, leaning towards a dovish view for 2026This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Commodities

Copper is a chemical element with symbol Cu (from Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a reddish-orange color. It is used as a conductor of heat and electricity, as a building material and as a constituent of various metal alloys, such as Sterling silver used in jewelry, cupronickel used to make marine hardware and coins and constantan used in strain gauges and thermocouples for temperature measurement.

<ul><li>Turbulent macro backdrop with concerns over US-China trade relations and credit quality affecting global economy and metals demand</li><li>Mixed sentiments on copper market balances for next year, with varying views on supply from DRC and Chinese demand</li><li>Aluminium narrative looking positive with China's X supply growth and debate on market balances centered around capacity ramp up from Indonesia</li></ul>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Turbulent macro backdrop with concerns over US-China trade relations and credit quality affecting global economy and metals demandMixed sentiments on copper market balances for next year, with varying views on supply from DRC and Chinese demandAluminium narrative looking positive with China's X supply growth and debate on market balances centered around capacity ramp up from IndonesiaThis content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from Latin: aurum) and the atomic number 79. In its purest form, it is a bright, slightly reddish yellow, dense, soft, malleable and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal and a group 11 element. It is one of the least reactive chemical elements, and is solid under standard conditions. The metal therefore occurs often in free elemental (native) form, as nuggets or grains, in rocks, in veins and in alluvial deposits. It occurs in a solid solution series with the native element silver (as electrum) and also naturally alloyed with copper and palladium. Less commonly, it occurs in minerals as gold compounds, often with tellurium (gold tellurides).

<ul><li>Despite initial concerns about tariffs and policy uncertainty hurting global economy, many major metals have seen significant price gains this year</li><li>Tariffs have been implemented, but manufacturers have absorbed costs in margins rather than passing them on to consumers</li><li>Despite signs of economic strain in recent data, commodity prices remain strong due to US dollar weakness making commodities more affordable for importing countries</li></ul>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Despite initial concerns about tariffs and policy uncertainty hurting global economy, many major metals have seen significant price gains this yearTariffs have been implemented, but manufacturers have absorbed costs in margins rather than passing them on to consumersDespite signs of economic strain in recent data, commodity prices remain strong due to US dollar weakness making commodities more affordable for importing countriesThis content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

<ul>
<li>Export restrictions have impacted the trade between China and the US, with potential for increased support for mineral imports from Canada</li>
<li>The incoming Biden administration may focus on boosting domestic mineral recovery and supply chain security</li>
<li>The copper market is facing challenges with potential oversupply, while cobalt prices are set for the worst year in history due to stagnating demand and increasing output.</li>
</ul>
This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.


Export restrictions have impacted the trade between China and the US, with potential for increased support for mineral imports from Canada
The incoming Biden administration may focus on boosting domestic mineral recovery and supply chain security
The copper market is facing challenges with potential oversupply, while cobalt prices are set for the worst year in history due to stagnating demand and increasing output.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>Copper smelters are struggling for profitability but output is still rising, creating a relative concentrate imbalance in copper and zinc.</li><li>Zinc mine output has declined year on year, leading to a tightness in concentrate supply and challenges for smelters.</li><li>The electric vehicle market is facing challenges due to high costs and lack of policy support, especially in OECD markets, while China has a significant lead in the industry with lower costs and established supply chains.</li></ul>This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

Copper smelters are struggling for profitability but output is still rising, creating a relative concentrate imbalance in copper and zinc.Zinc mine output has declined year on year, leading to a tightness in concentrate supply and challenges for smelters.The electric vehicle market is facing challenges due to high costs and lack of policy support, especially in OECD markets, while China has a significant lead in the industry with lower costs and established supply chains.This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

BMO Equity Research Metal Matters
Hot Topics in Global Metals & Mining Each Week

Delving Into the Macro

Aluminium prices hit three year highs, China's economy shows signs of slowdown, market anticipates more rate cuts which could benefit commodities...

BMO Equity Research Metal Matters

From London to Beijing

Turbulent macro backdrop with concerns over US-China trade relations and credit quality affecting global economy and metals demand Mixed...

BMO Equity Research Metal Matters

Debating a New Up-Cycle

- Metal prices have seen gains, with gold, silver, and platinum performing well, while coal, zinc, and nickel struggle, US tariffs are in place...

BMO Equity Research Metal Matters

What We Foresee for the Four C’s

Export restrictions have impacted trade, with a focus on direct trade between China and the US in the mineral industry, while the incoming US...

BMO Equity Research Metal Matters

Adjusting the Battery Blinkers

Despite challenges in the metal industry, such as declining zinc mine output and low operating rates at galvanizing producers, the transition to...

BMO Equity Research Metal Matters