Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Iron Ore: Update

On Friday, August 17, I posted the following comments on my blog, which was entitled, Iron Ore: So Much for Global Growth (Welcome Recession), "Probably no other commodity is tied to global growth, especially China’s growth, than the key steel-making ingredient that is Iron Ore.  The iron ore price continues to plunge.  In other words, so much for global growth!  (Interesting, this is the one commodity that is not a futures contract, cannot be manipulated by trading desks or by hedge funds.)  $122.74 is critical support for Iron Ore.  If this price level is penetrated, downside price projection is January 2009 level of $49. (I will definitely be monitoring Iron Ore on a monthly basis.)"

Well, August data is finally available.  (See the following chart.)  And, iron ore prices plummeted right through the critical support level of 122.74 to close at 107.80, or a 15.74% decline from July.  Year over year, the percentage decline in iron ore prices is 39.15%Therefore, the downside price projection is $49.  In addition, the $122.74 price penetration does signal the recession is at hand.  In other words, deflation should be the number one concern, not inflation.  Why?  Because falling prices are a direct consequence of deflation.  Just look at the current level of interest rates and real estate values for evidence of the deflating environment.


 

No comments: