Gold futures may rebound to $1,500 an ounce in June after hitting a “double bottom” yesterday, according to technical analysis by R.J. O’Brien & Associates.

Imports of refined copper by China, the biggest user, declined in April to the lowest level since June 2011, while exports fell for the first time in eight months.

Interest rates may not be lowered for fear that local consumers will stop depositing their money in banks.

Copper may rise almost 10 percent to as much as $8,000 a metric ton if it climbs above May’s high of $7,480, according to technical analysis by Marex Spectron Group.

The contract for delivery in October on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange gained 0.6 percent to settle at 289.5 yen a kilogram ($2,823 a metric ton), the highest level at the close since May 13. Futures pared this year’s loss to 4.3 percent.

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia will be exporting huge volumes of toluene to the US in May and June, easing the long supply in the region, which may curb the recent fall in prices, market sources said on Friday.

Tracking a weak global trend, copper prices fell marginally by 0.10% to Rs 401.25 per kg in futures trade today as speculators offloaded their positions.

ASIAN higher cost polyvinyl chloride (PVC) producers are facing the twin squeeze of increased electricity costs and very competitive exports from the US, according to an industry source the blog met with in Taipei, ahead of tomorrow and Friday's 2013 Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC).

SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Asia acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) prices trended higher in the first half of May gaining up to $50/tonne (€39/tonne) to the relief of suppliers though demand remains weak amid slow end-user orders, market participants said on Thursday.