Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Copper, nickel and other base metals stockpiled by speculative Chinese investors including pig farmers may be sold when "market sentiment turns," said Scotia Capital Inc.
A price surge and easy bank credit this year encouraged pig farmers, stock brokers and businessmen to buy copper and nickel for speculation, Liu Na, an analyst with Scotia Capital, wrote in a note dated Aug. 17, citing reports from the state-owned China Central Television. Scotia Capital is a unit of Toronto- based Bank of Nova Scotia.
"These stockpiles are in 'weak hands' as speculators have no real use for base metals," Liu wrote. "When the market sentiment turns, they are very likely to turn into quick sellers, especially when the bank's money is involved."
