Growth in Australia, faster growth in Brazil and stabilisation in Mainland China's ore output will be the main drivers of growth, Fitch says.

Across markets, there’s growing talk that high prices for raw materials will be cured only by recessions in the second half.

Hotter-than-normal weather in China is pushing power demand to an all-time high, increasing the consumption of coal.

It appears market participants want to see actual demand rising, rather than officials talking about it, writes Clyde Russell.

The departures come against a backdrop of falling commodity prices that has been less profitable for Trafigura than the booming markets earlier in the year.

In China's steel production hub, Tangshan city, 56 of the 126 blast furnaces were shut for maintenance, according to Sinosteel.

What the rest of the year holds for raw materials from crude oil and natural gas to grains, gold, and iron ore?

It's an unwelcome development for the exchange after it had to suspend the nickel contract in March, writes Andy Home.