Supply/Demand Picture Has Analysts Bullish on Copper

"Miners won't be able to ramp up output enough to keep up with demand."

Copper's supply/demand picture may become so tight that many analysts and institutional investors say it is one of the commodities on which they are the most bullish for 2011.

Copper has already staged an impressive rally from the commodity-wide sell-off that occurred when the global financial crisis hit in 2008. While Western economies were weak, copper demand remained strong in emerging economies such as China, the world's largest consumer of the metal. Whenever recovery picks up in the West, demand should rise further.

Meanwhile, analysts say, mining companies will not be able to ramp up output fast enough to keep up with demand, leaving a global supply/demand deficit for 2011.

"It's our top commodity pick for next year," said Bart Melek, global commodity strategist with BMO Capital Markets.

The same was true for many institutional investors surveyed by Barclays Capital during an investor conference in December. More than 300 participants were asked to rate which commodity or sector will perform best in 2011, and copper got the highest rating with 26%.

"We expect to see pretty tight market conditions for copper next year," Melek said. "The crux of the story is that we are expecting supply to be outstripped by demand growth."

BMO projects a 2011 copper deficit of around 380,000 metric tons. Standard Bank analyst Leon Westgate looks for a deficit of 385,000 metric tons, widening to 562,000 in 2012.

"I think the real tightness in the market is going to come in 2012," Westgate said. "While I'm bullish next year, I'm super bullish for 2012."

BNP Paribas analyst Stephen Briggs looks for a supply deficit of 200,000 metric tons this year, widening to 500,000 in 2011.

Novavax Shares Shoot 65% Higher on Phase 3 COVID-19 Vaccine Trial's 89.3% Effectiveness
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/29/2021)

Novavax Inc. shares established a new 52-week high after the firm's COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated an 89.3% efficacy rate in a Phase 3 trial in the U.K. and also showed efficacy against the South African variant in a Phase 2b trial.

Abiomed Shares Gain 8% After Firm Announces Record Q3 Revenue of $232 Million
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/28/2021)

Shares of cardiac medical device maker Abiomed Inc. traded higher after the company reported record revenue for Q3/21 despite the impact from COVID-19.

Sorrento Shares Rise 35% After Firm Posts Positive Data from Phase 1b ICU COVID-19 Trial
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/27/2021)

Shares of Sorrento Therapeutics traded higher after the company released positive preliminary results from it of Phase 1b COVI-MSC™ Study for treatment of hospitalized ICU COVID-19 patients.

Junior Mining Sector 'the Best Value in the Space'
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/27/2021)

The StreetSmart Live! Broadcast on Jan. 26, 2021, focused on metals and why now is a good time for investors to be looking at them and the mining space. John Newell, independent analyst and portfolio manager, and John Feneck, mining sector expert and president of Feneck Consulting, addressed the status of the current metals market. CEOs of the three metals-focused companies comprising the Metallic Group of Companies—Group Ten Metals, Metallic Minerals and Granite Creek Copper—discussed their projects.

Vir Shares Climb 48% on Initial Phase 1 Chronic Hepatitis B Trial Data
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/26/2021)

Vir Biotechnology shares traded higher after the company reported data from its Phase 1 Chronic Hepatitis B Study that showed VIR-3434 significantly and rapidly reduced hepatitis B surface antigen.

Aurinia Pharma Shares Open at 52-Week High as FDA Approves Adult Lupus Nephritis Drug
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/25/2021)

Shares of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals traded 30% higher after the company reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its LUPKYNIS™ (voclosporin) for use in treating adults with active lupus nephritis.

AzurRx Doses First Two People in Expanded Phase 2b Trial of Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/22/2021)

AzurRx BioPharma shares traded 45% higher after the firm advised it had dosed the first two patients in its Phase 2b OPTION 2 Extension Study of MS1819 for treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in patients with cystic fibrosis.

NGL Energy Shares Rise 21% as It Seeks to Raise $2.05 Billion from Senior Secured Note Offering
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/21/2021)

Shares of NGL Energy Partners LP traded higher after the firm made a series of announcements over the past three days regarding an update on financial operations, a settlement with a customer in bankruptcy, a quarterly Class D unit distribution and a $2.05 billion senior secured debt offering.

Explorer Discovers New Gold Mineralization at Abitibi Gold Belt Property
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/21/2021)

iMetal Resources is setting out to see if the multi-million ounce gold resource next door continues onto its Gowganda West property in Ontario.

Gritstone Oncology Licenses LNP Platform from Genevant Sciences to Develop COVID-19 Vaccine
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/20/2021)

Shares of Gritstone Oncology reached a new 52-week high price after the company advised it entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Genevant Sciences to develop and commercialize self-amplifying RNA vaccines for use against SARS-CoV-2.