Commodity Market Increased in August Amid Improved Macroeconomic Environment and Increased Geopolitical Risk

News provided by

Sep 12, 2013, 11:13 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Commodities were higher in August as China's growth outlook improved and the risk of the US Federal Reserve tightening remained uncertain.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091204/CSLOGO)

Nelson Louie, Global Head of Commodities in Credit Suisse's Asset Management business, said, "Chinese growth may have stabilized over the period. Commodities are likely to benefit from improving Chinese growth momentum, as it may be supportive of increased demand. At the same time, mixed US economic data and sharply declining emerging market currencies and securities have clouded the already uncertain outlook regarding the possibility of a Federal Reserve tightening in September. Regardless of whether the Federal Reserve tapers or not in September, it seems unambiguous that the Federal Reserve is going to err on the side of being overly easy with its policies. This may increase the risk of inflation overshooting expectations, especially should economic growth materialize stronger than is currently expected."

Christopher Burton, Senior Portfolio Manager for the Credit Suisse Total Commodity Return Strategy, added, "In the near term, the increase in geopolitical risk in the Middle East has also been substantial. This has the capacity to lead to further oil supply disruptions, through further destabilizing production and transportation of crude oil from nearby key producers. Increased geopolitical risk has also been a key driver in the gold rebound as investors move into safe havens. While a final decision on military intervention in Syria has been delayed in the US, recent events highlight the diversification benefits that commodities can add to a diversified portfolio."

The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index Total Return increased 3.40% in August. Overall, 14 out of 22 index constituents posted positive returns. Precious Metals increased the most, up 9.33%, with both Gold and Silver higher. Gold increased after new home sales data were lower than forecasted, reducing expectations that the US Federal Reserve will scale back its economic stimulus program on the coattails of a strengthening economy. Energy gained 3.10%, led by Brent Crude Oil, due to ongoing debate over military intervention in Syria and reduced exports out of Iraq and Libya. Expectations remain elevated that the US may coordinate an attack in response to the use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria. However, concerns eased slightly after Britain announced it would not join in any military action. Livestock increased 2.59%, led by Lean Hogs, amid rising feed costs and ongoing concerns over increased illnesses shrinking supply. A heat wave in many areas of the US towards the end of the month also added to concerns that hog supplies could be curbed. Agriculture ended the month higher, up 2.37%, with Soybeans and soybean products positive, and the rest of the sector constituents negative. Soybeans were more susceptible to yield damage due to the hot and dry weather in the US Midwest due to the delayed planting progress earlier in the year. Industrial Metals gained 1.74%, led by Copper, due to encouraging macroeconomic data from China.

About the Credit Suisse Total Commodity Return Strategy

Credit Suisse's Total Commodity Return Strategy has been managed for 18 years and seeks to outperform the return of a commodities index, such as the Dow Jones–UBS Commodity Index Total Return or the S&P GSCI Total Return Index, using both a quantitative and qualitative commodity research process. Commodity index total returns are achieved through:

Spot Return: price return on specified commodity futures contracts;
Roll Yield: impact due to migration of futures positions from near to far contracts; and
Collateral Yield: return earned on collateral for the futures.

As of August 31^st, 2013 the team managed approximately USD 11.6 billion in assets globally.

Credit Suisse AG
Credit Suisse AG is one of the world's leading financial services providers and is part of the Credit Suisse group of companies (referred to here as 'Credit Suisse'). As an integrated bank, Credit Suisse is able to offer clients its expertise in the areas of private banking, investment banking and asset management from a single source. Credit Suisse provides specialist advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high net worth private clients worldwide, and also to retail clients in Switzerland. Credit Suisse is headquartered in Zurich and operates in over 50 countries worldwide. The group employs approximately 46,300 people. The registered shares (CSGN) of Credit Suisse's parent company, Credit Suisse Group AG, are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit-suisse.com.

Asset Management
In its Asset Management business, Credit Suisse offers products across a broad spectrum of investment classes, including hedge funds, credit, index, real estate, commodities and private equity products, as well as multi-asset class solutions, which include equities and fixed income products. Credit Suisse's Asset Management business manages portfolios, mutual funds and other investment vehicles for a broad spectrum of clients ranging from governments, institutions and corporations to private individuals. With offices focused on asset management in 19 countries, Credit Suisse's Asset Management business is operated as a globally integrated network to deliver the bank's best investment ideas and capabilities to clients around the world.

All businesses of Credit Suisse are subject to distinct regulatory requirements; certain products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all client types.

Important Legal Information
This document was produced by and the opinions expressed are those of Credit Suisse as of the date of writing and are subject to change without obligation to update. It has been prepared solely for information purposes and for the use of the recipient. It does not constitute an offer or an invitation by or on behalf of Credit Suisse to any person to buy or sell any security. Any reference to past performance is not a guide to future performance. The information and analysis contained in this publication have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable but Credit Suisse does not make any representation as to their accuracy or completeness and does not accept liability for any loss arising from the use hereof.

Certain information contained in this document constitutes "Forward-Looking Statements" (including observations about markets and industry and regulatory trends as of the original date of this document), which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "target", "project", "estimate", "intend", "continue" or "believe", or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Due to various risks and uncertainties beyond our control, actual events, results or performance may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Credit Suisse has no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this document.

Certain risks relating to investing in Commodities and Commodity-Linked Investments: Exposure to commodity markets should only form a small part of a diversified portfolio. Investment in commodity markets may not be suitable for all investors. Commodity investments will be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity volatility, exchange-rate movements, changes in interest rates, and factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. Commodity markets are highly volatile. The risk of loss in commodities and commodity-linked investments can be substantial. There is generally a high degree of leverage in commodity investing that can significantly magnify losses. Gains or losses from speculative derivative positions may be much greater than the derivative's original cost. An investment in commodities is not a complete investment program and should represent only a portion of an investor's portfolio management strategy.

SOURCE Credit Suisse AG