TRADE AND COMMODITIES

by solerm — last modified Aug 20, 2009 03:52 PM

Chinese steel demand bodes well for bulk sector growth: DESPITE recent rate softening, China’s increasing demand for commodities will drive a positive trend in the dry bulk market, US investment bank Dahlman Rose predicts.
BHP Billiton profit drop in line with its prices: RESOURCES giant BHP Billiton has reported a 62% plunge in full-year profit following a massive fall in commodity prices.
US LNG imports set to rise: US IMPORTS of liquefied natural gas are now forecast to be more than 40% higher this year than in 2008, but are still expected to be comfortably below the record level of 2007.
Chinese coal set to slow in second half: US coal miner Peabody Energy sees slowing Chinese demand for thermal and metallurgical coal after a strong first six months of the year.
Star Bulk predicts 35% increase in ore demand: NASDAQ-listed Star Bulk Carriers says China’s “insatiable” hunger for iron ore could push up imports to 600m tonnes in 2009, up 35% on last year.