nickel price to rise next year/inco

Subject: Nickel price to rise next year
Prices for Nickel will rise in 2005 as Chinese producers of the alloy expand capacity, according to Inco Ltd. Nickel prices reached a 14-year high in January as demand grew for stainless steel used in construction and kitchen appliances. Production of the alloy rose 9.3 percent to 5.9 million tons in the third quarter, according to the ISSF. It forcasts that Nickel demand will rise 4.5 percent this year to 1.1 million tons, exceeding output by 11,000 tons. ``We believe that 2005 will see even higher prices,'' ``The tight market will not end in 2005.'' said Peter Goudie, executive vice president of marketing at Inco.

(Alex Dec. 15)
Reporter: Alex

http://www.yieh.com/Mnewsc.asp?No=9470