Commodities for the most part came to the fore in 2017 led by palladium, rebar, lumber, base metals and oil. The worst performers were orange juice, sugar and natural gas.
Commodities for the most part came to the fore in 2017 led by palladium, rebar, lumber, base metals and oil. The worst performers were orange juice, sugar and natural gas. Palladium soared to it’s highest level since February 2001. Orange Juice futures on the other hand lost almost a third of their value.
Palladium’s run began at the start of 2016 and hasn’t looked back
Palladium surged higher on strong demand from autocatalyst makers, it is estimated 80 percent of global palladium demand comes from autocatalysts for gasoline-powered cars. The Volkswagon emmissions scandal has seen many car owners switch to gasoline over diesel fueled vehicles.
When Orange Juice Prices Fall They Do It Very Quickly
Orange juice was crushed the most since 1967, losing almost a third of its value in 2017. Selling intensified at year end with a two week sell off in December after the crop report.
Best Performing Commodities in 2017
- Palladium +54.00%
- Steel Rebar Shanghai +47.20%
- Lumber +42.23%
- Aluminium +34.03%
- Copper 31.75%
- Zinc 27.54%
- Rough Rice 26.70%
- Lead 24.77%
- Nickel 24.21%
- Brent Oil +17.19%
- Gold +13.55%
- WTI Oil +12.06%
- Feeder Cattle 11.12%
- Lean Hogs 8.69%
- Gasoline 8.04%
- Oats 6.70%
- Silver 5.89%
- Wheat U.S. 4.23%
- Platinum 3.65%
- Live Cattle 2.31%
- Soybeans U.S. -4.54%
- Tin -5.55%
- Coffee U.S. -8.57%
- Cocoa U.S. -11.63%
- Henry Hub Natural Gas -19.74%
- Sugar U.S. -22.91%
- Orange Juice -32.28%
Sources: Bloomberg; Investing
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