China's anti-pollution drive will unsettle global commodity prices

Shanghai

CHINA'S plans to tackle pollution over the winter could be the "next big event to unsettle global commodity prices", and plant closures may be compounded by restrictions on transport and construction, according to Morgan Stanley.

"These policies really are unprecedented," analysts including Tom Price said in a note dated Sept 25 that lifted the bank's forecasts for most metals. Investors will probably be cautious as they wait to see the scale and timing of the measures, which could include disruptions to ports, rail and road, as well as closing steel and aluminium plants in key hubs, according to the bank.