Goldman Sachs forecasts a structural bull market emerging for commodities in 2021- here is the breakdown of their analysis

• Structural under-investment, increased stimulus and the weakening dollar are the foundation for Goldman Sachs' bullish forecast, according to a research note published Thursday.
• The Goldman analysts recommend a long position on its carbon-neutral commodity index for ESG investors.
• Goldman increase their forecasts for soya and corn, leaving gold unchanged.
• A Biden win in the November presidential election could give oil demand a short-term lift thanks to increased oversight for shale and stimulus-led demand.

Goldman Sachs believes commodities are about to enter a structural bull market in 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic decimated supply of a number of key raw materials this year, and although demand is expected to recover to a certain extent, a growing preference among investors for "new economy" sectors, such as technology, and an intensifying focus on the threat of climate change has increased calls for a shift away from reliance on polluting, "old economy" areas.

In a research note published Thursday, Goldman analysts outlined three macro trends that will create this bullish environment.

Firstly, years of under-investment in "old economy" sectors means the potential pipeline of new supply, whether that is for crude oil, or copper, is much smaller than it might have been, had the pandemic struck sooner.

The so-called old economy will need to focus on "cleaning up its excesses of too much debt, emissions and capacity," the note said, meaning the scope for significant increases in output has been reduced, even if another round of direct stimulus for the economy reinvigorates consumer and manufacturing activity.

Under a "blue wave" stimulus package, assuming a landslide by the Democrats at the coming US election, Goldman estimates US industrial production will grow by 4-5% by 2024, implying strong increases for consumption of natural gas, crude oil, gasoline and bulk commodities.

"Even if demand falters in coming weeks as winter exacerbates COVID-19, we expect markets will likely continue to rebalance, barring an outright collapse in demand," Goldman said.

"In our view, base metals and agriculture have more near-term upside than oil, with smaller inventories to move through before prices begin to rise," the note said.

In addition to a more favorable balance between supply and demand for most major commodities, tailwinds from an improving macroeconomic environment will also act as a boost to prices, Goldman said. These include greater interventionist policy, US dollar weakness and inflation risks.

The increase in state-backed infrastructure programmes - triggered by coronavirus - notably the Chinese state-backed investment stimulus to the European Union's Green Deal, will usher in a new wave of demand, the bank said. Goldman forecasts an increase of around $1 trillion in consumer-focused stimulus over 2021-25.

Secondly, the US Federal Reserve's commitment to keeping interest rates close to zero for the next couple of years is likely to result in prolonged weakness in the dollar, which tends to favor commodity prices. A sustained increase in input prices will eventually lead to a pickup in inflation, Goldman's third commodity-positive factor.

Conventionally, a weaker dollar leads reflects rising long-dated commodity prices, Goldman said, which creates a feedback loop that will drive further declines in the US currency. As such, Goldman expects to see an increased rotation into commodities as an inflation hedge.

Commodity breakdown:

• Oil and Gas
  • Goldman are bullish, added by "rapid testing and eventually a likely vaccine helping accelerate the recovery in jet demand."
  • A Joe Biden administration does not derail Goldman's bullish forecast, the note said, adding a Blue Wave would be a "positive catalyst" with increased oversight of shale drilling and greater stimulus, aiding oil demand. US gasoline demand could increase by up to 150,000 barrels per day in 2022" compared to its current base case.
  • Brent: 3m is $49/bbl, 6m is $52/bbl, 12m is $65/bbl
• Agriculture and Livestock
  • Corn: to 395/405/400 c/bu from 340/370/350
  • Soya: to 1040/1025/1000 c/bu from 825/850/890 c/bu
  • With increased Chinese demand, La Nina weather patterns and "further adverse weather shocks" policy makers will look to increase their domestic stockpiles, the note said.
• Base and Bulks:
  • Goldman are bullish, forecasting a solid resurgence of Western and Chinese demand, creating a "super charged demand environment for the next few quarters" alongside year-end rallies for most base metals, the note said.
  • Goldman are closing their "long Jan21 SHFE rebar trade recommendation at $3627/t, down from $105/t when opened July 9th.
  • Copper: Goldman estimate a Biden plan would accelerate US copper demand by 2%ps over the next five years.
    • 3m is $7,000/mt, 6m is $7,250/mt, 12m is $7,500/mt
• Precious Metals:
  • Gold is primarily seen as a hedge against the loss of purchasing power of the dollar and for pullbacks in an equity portfolio, the note said, adding that their forecast are unchanged.
  • Gold: 3m is $2,300/oz, 6m is $2,300/oz, 12m is $2,300/oz