Commodity markets continue to show signs that they are being shaken to the core as a result of the worlds on-going problems in the Middle East and North Africa and the after effects of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Natural gas on the CME Nymex was up 7.17% on the week and 7.53% on the month, while Brent crude on the ICE IPE rose 0.08% on the week and 11.13% on the month. Japan’s energy needs are expected to be taken up by natural gas, which suggests why there have been big gains here, while the United Nations ‘no-fly zone’ and bombing of targets over Libya highlights why there has been a surge in crude prices. There was a slight decrease in prices for precious metals in the week with gold down 0.39%, silver down 2.43%, platinum down 3.27% and palladium down 4.24%. Although on monthly prices gold and silver are still experiencing big gains with increases of 2% for gold and 8.55% for silver. Other notable increases and decreases include lead, which on the London Metal Exchange has gained 12.03% on the week, random length lumber on the CME also gaining 12.07% over the week and wheat, which also increased 4.03% after seeing its price drop 12.07% on the month. Notable decreases included cocoa, which on the ICE Nybot was down 9.62% on the week, suggesting the problems in the Ivory Coast are far from over.

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