To: ms.smartest.person who wrote (4733 ) 2/11/2005 10:59:02 AM From: ms.smartest.person Read Replies (1) | Respond to What's Ahead for MetalsAluminum OUTLOOK: Still room for appreciation, as prices tend to rise later in a metals recovery. Will benefit from tight supply and strong demand from China.POTENTIAL WINNERS: Alcoa Inc., Alcan Inc. and Century Aluminum Co.Copper OUTLOOK: Prices are expected to remain firm in the first half of 2005, although additional production could boost supply next year. POTENTIAL WINNERS: Phelps Dodge Corp., Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.Gold OUTLOOK: Given its role as an inflation hedge and a store of value, the outlook for a return of inflation may benefit the precious metal, as will a weak dollar. POTENTIAL WINNERS: Precious-metals mutual funds, such as American Century Global Gold, or an exchange-traded fund such as streetTracks Gold Shares.Nickel OUTLOOK: Although prices are likely to peak this year, demand should still continue to outstrip supply over the next year or two. POTENTIAL WINNERS: Inco Ltd., Falconbridge Ltd., a unit of Noranda Inc. and FNX Mining Co.Silver/Platinum/Palladium OUTLOOK: New uses for silver will help bolster demand, while China needs platinum and palladium to develop clean-air technologies. POTENTIAL WINNERS: Silver Wheaton Corp., a unit of Wheaton River Minerals Ltd., Pan American Silver Corp. and Anooraq Resources Corp.online.wsj.com
