UBS Head of Commodities Says Oil Could Recover 30% in 2016

The risk of lower commodity prices in the first half of this year continues to loom as most commodity markets are still in a supply surplus, suggesting things will get worse before they get better. The latter part of 2016, however, offers more positive prospects for returns, led by better economic activity, higher oil prices and retreating U.S. dollar strength. Crude oil, the most challenging commodity to invest in, should also deliver the most upside in 2016.

There is an intuitively logical rationale for commodity prices to bounce back after five years of negative returns and a terrible 2016 start. Most commodity prices are trading so low that many mid- to high-cost producers of energy, precious metals and industrial commodities are loss-making on a cash-cost basis or are not in a position to cover their capital costs.

The only caveat for this year is that accelerating economic growth has been a precondition for stronger commodity prices in the past. What some of the best commodity years like 1983, 1999, 2003 and 2010 all have in common is a material acceleration in global GDP growth following periods of economic malaise. Growth often picked up in the latter part of the year preceding the mentioned years like in 2002 (U.S. and Asian growth picked up in the second half of 2002) or in 2009 (China’s economy bounced firmly in the second half of 2009). Global GDP growth accelerated 1.1 percentage points to 5.4 percent during these years, with 2010 setting the top and 1999 the bottom of this range.

via CNBC

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