Beware extraordinary headline risks in commodities

Beware extraordinary headline risks in commodities

Ole Hansen

Head of Commodity Strategy

Summary:  The turmoil across markets continues following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine last Thursday. Not least across the commodity sector where tougher US and European sanctions threaten to partly cut off supplies from Russia, thereby impacting several key commodities from gas and oil to several industrial metals and key crops such as wheat. With geopolitical risk and tight supply premiums continuing to rise, the potential for a solution, however remote, would trigger major moves


The turmoil across markets continues following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine last Thursday. Not least across the commodity sector where tougher US and European sanctions threaten to partly cut off supplies from Russia, thereby impacting several key commodities from gas and oil to several industrial metals and key crops such as wheat. Ukraine, often called the breadbasket of Europe given its extensive fertile lands, which are naturally suited to grain production, has seen is supply chains break down with closed harbors preventing exports of key food commodities such as wheat, barley and corn.

Headline risks, however, goes both ways, and if the current crisis and war should see a sudden solution, crude oil could drop by 10% to 15%, EU gas by up to 50%, Paris wheat by up to 25% while gold could see a more muted 2% to 4% downward reaction. 

Brent crude oil is heading for its first daily close above 100 dollar per barrel since 2012, and despite the price by now probably includes a Russian supply risk premium close to ten dollars, the outlook remains supportive as long global demand shows no sign of easing. The price jumped following the invasion news last Thursday and the market remains bid with traders trying with some difficulty to quantify a potential drop in supply from Russia amid banks pulling financing and as shipping costs rise. These developments have driven the front end of the futures curve sharply higher with prompt and deferred spread all pricing very tight market conditions. An example being the six-month spread which has jumped to $11.50, the highest for this spread going back to at least 2007.

Also, in focus are talks, between US and major consuming nations about releasing up towards 60 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves and Wednesday’s OPEC+ meeting where the group is expected to rubber stamp another illusive 400k b/d production increase. Illusive in the sense that many producers have struggled to reach their production targets while Russia, if allowed, is likely to hit its production limit within months. The group’s Joint Technical Committee meets today, and they will pass on their analysis and recommendations to the energy ministers ahead the meeting. Nuclear talks with Iran has reached the final and most difficult stage with Iran potentially playing a hard game considering how recent price developments have moved in their favor, leaving them less likely to give the concessions needed for the US and others to accept a new deal.

With global supply still struggling to meet robust demand, the result may end up being a continued rally in crude oil until global growth slows, which it will at some point, or until soaring prices eventually kills demand.

Source: Saxo Group

European gas: The European gas benchmark, the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) trades up 12% today (Saxo ticker: TTFMJ1) at €110/MWh, or $203 per barrel of crude oil equivalent. The current price is seven times higher than the average price seen in the years prior to the rally which started last August. Intraday price swings of 25% during the past three days highlights the market’s difficulty in pricing the risk of a potential further loss of supply from Russia, a supplier of close to 40% of Europe’s gas. Storage facilities across Europe are currently around 30% full, somewhat higher than originally feared, after withdrawals slowed during February due to milder weather. The injection season normally begins in late March, and while the worst risk of supply short fall this winter is close to over, a prolonged conflict with Russia however raises the risk for next winter where the price for winter gas (October 2022 to March 2023) is currently trading close to €100/MWh while the following 2023/24 winter is priced at €51/MWh.

Wheat prices globally ended February on a strong note with the price in Chicago showing the biggest monthly jump in six years. Today, prices in Europe and Chicago has continued higher with Paris Milling wheat (EBMH2) trading near the record €341.75 per tons record high reached last Thursday while Chicago wheat (ZWH2) continues to race towards $10 per bushel, a level that it last seen in March 2008.

Wheat is one of the world’s two most important food stables, the other being rice, and the current explosive rally will continue to add pain to consumers around the world, specifically those in emerging market countries that can least afford it.

Russia and Ukraine supply more than 25% of the world’s wheat, and for now Ukraine export terminals remain shut. However, with Ukraine having already shipped two-thirds of its intended exports by November last year, the short-term impact should be limited, but worries will remain about  the upcoming season and the impact a prolonged war will have on the availability of farm hands.

Somewhat helping ease global shortages caused by drought and the war in Ukraine are news that Australia, another major shipper of wheat, upgraded its already record harvest by 5.5%. However, the prospect of a continued rise in global food price inflation remains real with the negative consequences it may have on stability and growth.

Gold and silver have both managed to hold onto the bulk of their recent strong gains, and following last Thursday’s 100 dollar top to bottom move support has now been established around $1880 from where it has since recovered, and at the current price of $1921 gold is heading for its highest close in 13 months. A world in turmoil continues to attract safe haven interest from investors with sanctions against Russia potentially increasing an already elevated risk to global growth. Thereby potentially turbocharging the reasons why we throughout have maintained a bullish outlook as inflation are likely remain higher for longer, thereby raising the risk of a gold supportive period of stagflation.

In the short term, the market will continue to look for direction from developments in Ukraine as well as any further news on sanctions and so far, futile talks between Russia and Ukraine. The prospect of a 50 basis US rate hike is off the table with the market reducing the number of rates hikes this year to less than six. While support has been established at $1877, the 50% retracement of the recent rally, a signal for further upside gains may emerge on a break above $1937. 

Source: Saxo Group

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...

Disclaimer

The Saxo Group entities each provide execution-only service, and access to analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website is not intended to and does not change or expand on this. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Inspiration Disclaimer and (v) Notices applying to Trade Inspiration, Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular, no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Trading in financial instruments carries risk, and may not be suitable for you. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Please read our disclaimers:
Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-sg/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

None of the information contained here constitutes an offer to purchase or sell a financial instrument, or to make any investments. Saxo Markets does not take into account your personal investment objectives or financial situation and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information nor for any loss arising from any investment made in reliance of this presentation. Any opinions made are subject to change and may be personal to the author. These may not necessarily reflect the opinion of Saxo Markets or its affiliates.

Saxo Markets
88 Market Street
CapitaSpring #31-01
Singapore 048948

Contact Saxo

Select region

Singapore
Singapore

Saxo Capital Markets Pte Ltd ('Saxo Markets') is a company authorised and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) [Co. Reg. No.: 200601141M ] and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saxo Bank A/S, headquartered in Denmark. Please refer to our General Business Terms & Risk Warning to consider whether acquiring or continuing to hold financial products is suitable for you, prior to opening an account and investing in a financial product.

Trading in financial instruments carries various risks, and is not suitable for all investors. Please seek expert advice, and always ensure that you fully understand these risks before trading. Trading in leveraged products such as Margin FX products may result in your losses exceeding your initial deposits. Saxo Markets does not provide financial advice, any information available on this website is ‘general’ in nature and for informational purposes only. Saxo Markets does not take into account an individual’s needs, objectives or financial situation.

The Saxo trading platform has received numerous awards and recognition. For details of these awards and information on awards visit www.home.saxo/en-sg/about-us/awards.

The information or the products and services referred to on this website may be accessed worldwide, however is only intended for distribution to and use by recipients located in countries where such use does not constitute a violation of applicable legislation or regulations. Products and Services offered on this website are not intended for residents of the United States, Malaysia and Japan. Please click here to view our full disclaimer.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the US and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.