Palladium headed for its biggest gain since March 2020 as the UK government targeted Russian metals — but not palladium — with new sanctions.
Many speculate that China’s slowdown will not only undermine metal prices but also put China at risk of experiencing a Japan-style decade of deflation. A recent Financial Times article suggests that China has tried various measures to stimulate economic growth.
China's abrupt announcement this week that it will restrict exports of some germanium and gallium products from Aug. 1 is expected to disrupt global supply chains for semiconductors.
Copper prices drifted lower on Wednesday as a double-digit decline in China's industrial profit in the first five months weighed on sentiment, though losses were limited by tight global inventories and demand hopes.