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2015-12-09 07:10:39
Mining shares have continued to fall in the face of low commodity prices.
Shares in Anglo American, which fell more than 12% on Tuesday, fell another 10%
on Wednesday morning in London.
The group announced on Tuesday it would cut some 85,000 of its workforce in a
massive restructuring.
Among the major commodities only oil managed to stage a slight recovery, with
Brent crude rising above $40 a barrel in Asian trade.
However, most analysts believe that any recovery will be short-lived with the
world continuing to face a glut of commodities.
Rick Spooner of CMC Markets said: "The strong downward momentum in oil markets
stalled. However, there was no news to support optimism and with spot iron ore
[prices] continuing to drift lower, investors are likely to remain nervous
about mining and energy stocks today.''
The price of iron ore fell to $39.25 a tonne on Wednesday. It peaked at close
to $200 in 2011.
Slow China demand
The slowing Chinese economy has cut the demand for steel there. Many steel
producers have shut down and much of the iron ore that was destined for their
furnaces is lying idle at China's ports.
China has cut export taxes on steel and iron products to shift the metal out of
the country, but that has only served to push global prices lower.
London-listed mining stocks have fallen by about 50% this year, as China's
economic growth continues to slow, with Anglo American one of the biggest
casualties.
Its stock has fallen almost two-thirds this year, largely because of its
higher-cost iron ore mines.
Alastair McCaig of IG Group said: "Once again the mining sector is dragging the
FTSE lower, although not with the aggression seen yesterday. Worries that Anglo
American's actions yesterday might become the template for others in that
sector have seen investors running for the exits,"
On Wednesday, shares in some mining companies staged a brief recovery before
falling back. Shares in Rio Tinto were just 0.2% higher at 1030 GMT while BHP
Billiton was down 0.2% and Glencore fell 1.7%.
Beaufort Securities trader Basil Petrides said: "The miners will probably
continue to weaken while the Chinese economic outlook remains a concern."
Oil's weak recovery
Few analysts thought the slight recovery in oil prices on Wednesday would be
sustainable.
Mike Tholen, economics director at offshore trade body Oil and Gas UK, said low
oil prices would mean more job losses in the oil industry.
"We have to recognise that at the current price outlook, there will be further
job losses. [The UK oil industry] is inevitably going to be smaller for many
years to come," he said.
"We have oil fields now which are barely making enough money, and not enough
money to cover their running costs in some cases."
Oil prices face downward pressure following the decision late last week by the
Opec cartel to keep output high in the face of huge global oversupply.
The supply of oil is estimated to be up to two million barrels in excess of
demand worldwide. Most analysts say they do not see prices rising much until
late 2016 at the earliest.
James Hughes, chief market analyst at GKFX, said: "It seems that whatever
happens, Opec will not budge and yet again have reiterated their stance that
the markets will undo this mess themselves."