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Thu, May 9th, 2024

Andrew Hecht

Andrew Hecht

Andrew Hecht is a commodities trader and analyst with over forty years of experience. He began his career at Philipp Brothers, the world's leading merchant physical commodities trading company, in the 1970s through the 1990s. Hecht spent two decades with Philipp Brothers working in the commodities division, Salomon Brothers division, and at Phibro Energy where he ran trading, sales, and marketing in a wide range of commodity products. He subsequently worked with banks, hedge funds, and institutions trading commodities and managing risk. The business took him around the globe to assist producers and consumers. 

Andy has taught at the university level and writes prolifically on commodities for many portals. He has been one of the top-rated and followed contributors at Seeking Alpha and other sites, including Barchart over the past years.

Most Recent Stories

Is Copper Heading for a New Record High?

Copper prices were up over 2% in 2023. In Q1, COMEX copper futures gained 2.99% while the LME forwards moved 3.60% higher. Copper has been off to the races on the upside in early Q2, and it may not be...

HGK24 : 4.6000 (+0.83%)
P0Y00 : 9,904.00s (-1.25%)
HGN24 : 4.5785 (+0.79%)
CPER : 28.43 (+0.32%)
Bitcoin Stalls- Are Higher Highs on the Horizon?

Bitcoin has only ventured under the $60,000 per token level a few times since early March, as the price consolidated after making a new record peak. Bitcoin is the leading cryptocurrency, and the spot...

^BTCUSD : 61,186.64 (-0.93%)
Will Lumber Find a Bottom?

The recent plummet in lumber prices has been nothing short of a bearish freefall. The looming specter of prolonged high interest rates has led to a surge in mortgage rates, dampening the demand for new...

LBN24 : 539.50 (unch)
ZBM24 : 116-02 (-0.24%)
Can Natural Gas Rebound?

In April 2024, natural gas is in the shoulder season, when heating and cooling demand dramatically declines. Natural gas prices tend to reach seasonal lows during spring and have fallen since the August...

UNG : 16.65 (+4.39%)
NGK24 : 1.614s (-1.47%)
NFK24 : 68.850s (-4.20%)
TGK24 : 27.994s (-3.09%)
What are the Most Bullish Factors for Crude Oil?

After declining in 2023, crude oil prices rallied in Q1 2024 and have edged even higher in the early days of Q2. Crude oil remains the energy commodity that powers the world, and the price prospects over...

USO : 76.44 (+0.43%)
BNO : 31.19 (+0.13%)
CLK24 : 82.85s (-0.35%)
QAM24 : 87.89s (+0.03%)
Is Silver Going to Break Out on the Upside?

Silver approached a test of the $30 per ounce level, the highest price since February 2021. If silver can eventually power through $30, it could be on a path to challenge the 2011 and 1980 highs.

SIK24 : 27.720 (+1.31%)
SLV : 25.70 (+3.01%)
Why is Gold Ignoring Higher Rates and a Stronger Dollar?

Gold is the world’s oldest currency. Historically, rising interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar have been bearish for gold prices. Meanwhile, the traditional trading patterns have not impacted gold...

ZBM24 : 116-02 (-0.24%)
$DXY : 105.39 (-0.11%)
GCM24 : 2,342.5 (+0.87%)
How High Can Cocoa Rise?

The sky has been the limit for cocoa prices in 2024. Crop devastation has led to the highest price in history. Chocoholics worldwide are paying a pretty penny for their chocolate confectionery fix, and...

CCK24 : 9,617s (+0.25%)
HSY : 199.52 (-0.22%)
MDLZ : 70.39 (-0.06%)
NSRGY : 103.5500 (+0.01%)
CCN24 : 8,645 (+0.13%)
CAK24 : 7,704 (-2.84%)
Where are Energy Prices Heading in Q2?

The composite of traditional energy prices rose 5.12% in Q1 after falling 21.85% in 2023. Crude oil and gasoline posted double-digit percentage gains, while natural gas fell nearly 30%. In early Q2, prices...

CLK24 : 82.85s (-0.35%)
QAM24 : 87.89s (+0.03%)
RBK24 : 2.7108s (-1.38%)
HOK24 : 2.5134s (-0.71%)
NGK24 : 1.614s (-1.47%)
LUK24 : 107.45 (+1.37%)
FLK24 : 1.77500s (+1.14%)
Where are Soft Commodity Prices Heading in Q2?

Soft commodities were the best-performing sector of the raw materials market in 2023, with the composite posting a 24.04% gain. The bullish price action continued over the first three months of 2024 as...

CCK24 : 9,617s (+0.25%)
CTK24 : 80.06s (+3.97%)
SBK24 : 19.71s (-2.43%)
KCK24 : 203.85 (+1.80%)

Tweets @Barchart

Barchart
@Barchart
The Biden Administration has increased the price they are willing to pay to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. They will now pay up to $79.99/barrel, a $1 increase! https://t.co/ApHa4YgpXK
Barchart
@Barchart
Options Traders are wagering that the Japanese Yen will weaken back to the 160 level against the U.S. Dollar https://t.co/qEplxhmUra
Barchart
@Barchart
BREAKING 🚨: Zambia Zambia's currency has plummeted to an all-time low against the U.S. Dollar https://t.co/e1pbVnOLVt https://t.co/5ssPMYMOC4
Barchart
@Barchart
The Federal Reserve last moved interest rates 280 days ago, the 2nd longest pause in modern market history. The good news is that the S&P 500 $SPX has generally generated significant returns during pauses including a gain of over 20% during the longest pause in history. https://t.co/3QeypvorvP
Barchart
@Barchart
Bonds are Dead says Bond King Bill Gross https://t.co/T51RHlCoAR
Barchart
@Barchart
JUST IN 🚨: Japan's real wages have declined for the 24th consecutive month https://t.co/Qd0qfTNFIp https://t.co/x4NGplpxiP
Barchart
@Barchart
Argentina is now circulating 10,000 peso notes for the first time in the country's history, worth the equivalent of 11 USD! 🚨 That's right, a 10,000 peso note will get you a ham sandwich. https://t.co/fvUQvNAgXM
Barchart
@Barchart
Dow Jones Industrials scores its 6th consecutive green day, its longest winning streak since December https://t.co/DglqIqmJoR
Barchart
@Barchart
Former President Donald Trump says he will stop the hostility towards Bitcoin $BTC and cryptocurrency, and embrace it. https://t.co/I3ArFjbLPX
Barchart
@Barchart
Speculators have increased their short positions on the British Pound to 29,000 contracts on the belief that the Bank of England will begin cutting rates this summer before the U.S. https://t.co/P1PXwTczZE
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