The sharp rise in commodity prices in recent weeks is spurring unnerved corporate consumers to hedge their exposure to raw materials and rebuild depleted inventories.
As commodities prices rose yesterday to their highest level in six months, traders said there were signs of widespread activity among consumers – from airlines hedging their exposure to rising oil prices and car manufactures buying cheap aluminium to food companies securing supplies.
Investors betting on a quick recovery boosted prices. “Consumers are getting more active,” said Kevin Norrish, a commodities analyst at Barclays Capital in London. “Inventories are low and the prospects in some industries have improved recently.”