World Bank raises 2017 price outlook for oil and metals

The World Bank has increased its 2017 price outlook for both metals and oil in its latest ‘Commodity Markets Outlook’, raising its October forecast for crude oil to $55/bl, from $53/bl in July. It has, however, sustained its forecast for an average oil price of $43/bl in 2016. Energy prices, which include oil, natural gas and coal, are projected to jump almost 25% overall next year, with coal prices expected to average $58/t in 2016, despite a 30% surge in thermal coal prices during third quarter of 2016.