Cotton spot prices in India, the world's second largest producer, are likely to extend losses over the next two weeks as harvesting gathers pace after holidays, but buying by yarn makers to meet overseas demand could limit the downtrend. Trading is likely to be subdued as Diwali holidays and celebrations run through the first half of November. Once those holidays are over, harvesting should start in earnest and rising supplies will combine with weak export demand to depress prices, traders

FMC Corporation expects mixed demand trends for its Soda ash in North America according to a supplemental commentary (Q&A) released by the company on 31st October, 2012. On the positive side, FMC witnessed the startup of a new container glass plant at Washington. The Company witnessed an increase in housing, auto production, architectural billings index and Chemical rail loadings as compared to last year. On the negative side, two glass plants were idled this year. The company further

Chinese incomes grew quite rapidly from 2002 to 2011. Last year, per capita disposable income for China's urban residents reached more than 21,000 yuan, an 180 percent increase over 2002. On average, each urban Chinese resident has seen his or her disposable income rose over 10,000 yuan in last decade. Meanwhile, per capita net income of Chinese rural residents in 2011 exceeded 6,900 yuan, growing 160 percent from 10 years ago. The growth in the incomes of rural residents has outpaced their u

A worker inspects cotton imports at a cotton reserve site in Nantong,Jiangsuprovince. [Photo/China Daily] Cotton Council International, the export promotion unit of the National Cotton Council of America, said it remains "cautious" about making predictions concerning Chinese demand for US cotton in the coming year. China's textile industry is struggling amid the current high price of domestic cotton and weak demand. "China has lost some competitiveness as a garment exporter," said Karin Mal

The Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League (NASL) have selected Admiral to be the club’s official sportswear and technical kit supplier starting with the 2013 season. Admiral is the world’s oldest soccer brand having supplied kits to England and Manchester United amongst others. The brand has a long history in North America having supplied many teams in the top professional leagues including the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Vancouver Whitecaps, and New York Cosmos. Currently Admiral sup

Crude oil prices had slumped 4.2% in the last week of October on concern over rising crude oil inventories in the US and concerns about Spain and tepid global demand limited gain for the US crude contract. However, prices would recover from the decline as supportive US economic data coupled with North Sea and Nigerian production problems yielded some relief to the slowdown. Ethylene markets would remain under pressure due to weak demand, and would no longer remain influenced by the rise in US

The oil markets received good support end of October after the US gross domestic product expanded at a 2% annual rate in the third quarter while Economists polled by Reuters expected growth a tad lower at 1.9%. Further, the conflict in Syria and associated violence in the region, along with the dispute over Iran's nuclear program, added support for crude ahead of the month end especially for Brent. In US, spot ethylene price was up on talks of unexpected shutdown at Exxon Mobil’s Baytown, Texa

The uptrend in benzene prices would continue to rise in November after gaining almost US$50 in October, but there is a possibility of these increases will translating into cost pressure on downstream segment. With raw material climbing, caprolactum settlers will push for a further US$100 in November in order to claw back some margin, but buyers will strongly resist such an increase. This more negative view is supported by the development in caprolactum spot prices which have increased only US$

The month-on-month increase is the second largest this year in October has pegged US benzene average spot price at US$1,453.89 a ton. October US benzene contract price was settled up US cents 20 cents from September at US cents 440 a gallon. In November, the chances of further rapid rise appear weak as downstream users have been seeing margins squeezing amid slow demand. In Europe too, benzene prices may inch up given the supply-demand imbalance. European CPL negotiations will continue with bu