The message is clear. On the longer term, prices should fall back  towards 
30,000 usd/ton. Better be prudent and reduce exposure to mining  stocks....
  
  Just in case..

Herman  <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:                                              
          
Nickel is now expected to average 48,000 usd in the   second quarter, 40,000 
usd in the third quarter and 35,000 usd in the last three   months of the year 
compared with previous forecasts for 36,750 usd, 30,750 usd   and 27,750 usd 
respectively.

Tin prices, which today   struck a new all time high of 14,575 usd, are 
predicted to average 15,000 usd in   the second quarter, 16,000 usd in the 
third quarter and 15,000 in the final   quarter of the year from 10,800 usd, 
10,000 usd and 9,500 usd   respectively
   
  Barclays ups most metal price forecasts for 2007 but sees zinc   at lower 
levels
03.26.07, 12:30 PM ET
  
LONDON (AFX) - Barclays Capital has   raised its nickel and tin price forecasts 
for the second quarter amid a bout of   supply problems.

However, the investment bank has shaved its estimate for   zinc prices as 
exports from China have surged. Further, 'stock inflows' of zinc   into London 
Metal Exchange certified warehouses forced the bank to rethink its   earlier 
estimates.

'While we expect nickel prices to correct from their   current record levels, 
delays and disruptions to bringing new supply to the   market and the 
critically low level of LME nickel stocks continues to underpin   prices,' said 
Barclays (nyse: BCS - news - people ) analysts in their latest   report.

Critically low nickel stocks stored in LME-certified warehouses   are so 
depleted now that the volume available to the market would not be enough   for 
one day's worth of global consumption.

Nickel is now expected   to average 48,000 usd in the second quarter, 40,000 
usd in the third quarter and   35,000 usd in the last three months of the year 
compared with previous forecasts   for 36,750 usd, 30,750 usd and 27,750 usd 
respectively.

This is   the second time Barclays has raised its price forecast for   nickel.

Tin prices, which today struck a new all time high of   14,575 usd, are 
predicted to average 15,000 usd in the second quarter, 16,000   usd in the 
third quarter and 15,000 in the final quarter of the year from 10,800   usd, 
10,000 usd and 9,500 usd respectively.

'The ongoing supply   side problems from Indonesia's Bangka island in an 
environment of positive   demand and low inventories should support tin prices 
higher through 2007,' said   the report.

A government crackdown on illegal small-scale mining in   Indonesia, the 
world's second biggest producer trailing China, is still hitting   production 
levels.

Indonesian officials have reportedly indicated that   private tin smelters look 
unlikely to receive export permits in the near future   after being ordered to 
obtain new mining permits.

However, Barclays has   cut its zinc forecasts, with prices now expected to 
reach 3,000 usd in the   second quarter, 2,800 in the third quarter and 2,500 
usd in the last three   months of 2007, down from a previous forecast of 4,100 
usd, 3,500 usd and 3,300   usd   respectively.

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

as/slm


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