China’s bid to rein in exports roils aluminum stocks and prices
China’s cancellation of tax relief on exports has left the aluminum industry scrambling to assess the impact on supply flows.
Glencore chief executive (LON:GLEN) Ivan Glasenberg said Tuesday companies that continue to expand exports into oversupplied markets are damaging the credibility of the mining industry, tipping it into a confidence crisis.
His comments, the most recent attack to rivals Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Vale over their iron ore strategy, come barely a day after Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG) chief executive officer and founder Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest urged Australians to demand official intervention to stop the “damaging” and “reckless” expansion plans.
It also echoes Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey’s warning to the country’s big miners to whom he told the government was monitoring their export growth amid weak iron ore prices.
Speaking at a mining investment conference in Barcelona, Glasenberg said industry actors that ignored demand and market balance did so at their own risk. However, he noted every participant is paying the price.
He proceeded to illustrate the point with a series of slides, which highlighted how mining has been the worst performing sector over the last 12 months:
Source: Glencore’s presentation at the 2015 Global Metals, Mining and Steel Conference. May 12, 2015. (Click to enlarge)
Investment flow has also weakened and was now about $60 billion below its 2012 peak, when the commodity super-cycle turned sour, Glasenberg said.
Last week, the feisty Glencore boss offered an economics lesson to rival CEOs, who — he said — seem to urgently need a better understanding of demand and supply.
4 Comments
Geewizz
Glencore needs a lesson in free enterprize, competition and how to make Glencore itself more competitive. Never mind crying about supply and demand. They all know this already.
Rod
If only the gold-silver-copper-lead-zinc producers would hold back sale of product… then we would see real market prices take effect! Until then, the speculators will rule the markets. LOL!
Peter T
Would be great if Mining.com could do a story covering the major miners tax avoidance. The story would write itself based on the work the Senate is doing in Canberra. Glencore interviewed yesterday… amazing situation.
Neil Hughes
Glencore, one of the worst offenders in tax avoidance