What’s in store for copper…
Housing starts in January rose 14.5% from
December’s pace–and at the highest rate in 33 years. May lumber rose $0.80 to
$347. Treasuries were little-changed, with 2-year notes near a 5-year high.
10-year notes closed at 4.59% after making a 3-month high yesterday.
Jobless claims rose 19,000 to 297,000.
The world’s largest copper producer,
Codelco raised its forecast for copper prices this year and said the rally in
copper was near an end.
Natural gas bounced from 7-month lows on
forecasts for colder weather in the Northeast.
Crude oil bounced as traders speculated
OPEC may cut output when they meet next month. March crude closed at 58.46.
Coffee bounced of 7-weel lows to close at
105.90.
Soybeans traded to one-week highs on fund
buying.