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commodities

February 15, 2021

While 2021 has started not unlike how much of 2020 played out, with Covid-19 infections continuing to spread and many countries reimplementing lockdown measures, the approval and rollout of various vaccines to combat the coronavirus has been an undeniable game-changer for markets. It's provided a clearer road map for a return to some form of normality, although the path ahead is still likely to remain bumpy, with continued uncertainties in the offing.

Michael Ackerman, the next-gen growing sustainable family investments in forestry

February 12, 2021

A Canadian next-generation entrepreneur says more families are investing sustainably in forestry to achieve their impact goals and for the long-term inflation-proof returns of timber as an asset in their portfolios.

Michael Ackerman (pictured), 38, is the president and chief executive of EcoForests Asset Management. His socially responsible boutique forestry investment management company is headquartered in Toronto and operates 45 plantations in Latin America.

How Covid-19 has changed the investment landscape

April 29, 2020

Duncan MacInnes, investment director, discusses Covid-19: how it has changed the investment landscape, the impact on the Ruffer portfolio and what could happen next.

Duncan MacInnes, investment director, discusses Covid-19: how it has changed the investment landscape, the impact on the Ruffer portfolio and what could happen next.

This is the first episode of a new series of podcasts, where Ruffer will be exploring the investment universe and sharing their interpretation of what’s going on.

“It’s our view that we are moving through an economic regime change,” MacInnes (pictured) said.

Families mull UK capital, assets and residencies in Brexit chaos

September 5, 2019

Business families of wealth are postponing their investments, considering moving their assets overseas and may even review their residencies as Britain’s turbulent exit from the European Union looms.

Female investors more interested in alternative assets than men are

August 21, 2014

US women are showing a greater interest in alternative investments than men, according to new research, challenging traditional stereotypes that female investors are risk averse.

US women are showing a greater interest in alternative investments than men, according to new research, challenging traditional stereotypes that female investors are risk averse.

According to research by US investment firm MainStay Investments, 60% of women surveyed expect alternatives to become a core part of their portfolio over the next five to 10 years.

By comparison, only 47% of men expect the likes of commodities, private equity, and hedge funds to become a “mainstream” part of their investment holdings over that same period.

Time to reconsider commodities?

March 17, 2014

Last year the so-called commodities “supercycle” was widely declared dead, but with price drops – and investors more optimistic about the global economy on the whole – it may be worth rethinking shunning this sector.

From the late 1990s to the 2008 crisis, the price of oil rose 1,062%, while copper shot up 487%, according to investment house Pimco. Behind this meteoric rise were emerging markets where wealth was growing quickly, causing increased demand for food, energy and the inputs of industrialisation and urbanisation.

Commodities giant triples earnings

January 13, 2011

Cargill, the world’s largest agricultural commodities trader, announced on 12 January that its profits for the quarter ending November tripled, which was helped by accurate predictions of the weather and shifts in trade flows.

Cargill, the world's largest agricultural commodities trader, announced on 12 January that its profits for the quarter ending November tripled, which was helped by accurate predictions of the weather and shifts in trade flows.

Cargill's net earnings for the three months ending November rose to $1.49 billion from $489 million for the same period the year before. Also, first-half earnings more than doubled from $1.01 billion to $2.37 billion.

Family-controlled Cargill reports strong profits

October 13, 2010

Cargill, the world’s largest agricultural commodities trader, notched up a 68% year-on-year rise in net profits in the first quarter ended August 31st on the back of strong demand for grain.

Cargill, the world's largest agricultural commodities trader, notched up a 68% year-on-year rise in net profits in the first quarter ended August 31st on the back of strong demand for grain.

The Minnesota-based company said buoyant growth in its trading and processing segments bolstered profits. Revenues in the quarter were $27.8 billion.

Louis Dreyfus in merger discussions with Olam

September 27, 2010

Louis Dreyfus, the family-owned French conglomerate, is in preliminary discussions with supply-chain management company Olam over business collaboration and a possible merger.

Olam made the announcement in a letter to shareholders on 24 September in response to press speculation yesterday concerning Louis Dreyfus. The statement went on to stress that the discussions "are still preliminary" and that "the possible collaboration may not even proceed," the letter read.

Louis Dreyfus considers listing

September 23, 2010

Louis Dreyfus Group, the family-owned French conglomerate, is considering listing shares of some of its businesses, according to people close to the matter cited by the Financial Times.

Louis Dreyfus Group, the family-owned French conglomerate, is considering listing shares of some of its businesses, according to people close to the matter cited by the Financial Times.

The group, which is a global commodities, energy, real estate and diversified trader and processor, is discussing an initial public offering for some of its subsidiaries and may also consider the sale of Louis Dreyfus Commodities.