Ruthenium price spike

Source: Jefferies & Co.

WHAT IT MEANS: Demand has surged for ruthenium, a rare metallic element used to coat disks and heads on new-generation hard disk drives for personal computers using perpendicular magnetic recording technology. Upshot: Market prices have skyrocketed to $800/oz from $200 in early 2006.

Estimated 2007 nickel price

Source: Deutsche Bank

WHAT IT MEANS: The latest forecast by analysts at Deutsche Bank for cash nickel in 2007 is 27% higher than the $11 in 2006. The bank's analysts believe slow supply growth will keep the market tight. (Citigroup analysts are even more bullish, projecting a $15.50 price average.)

Estimated 2007 aluminum price

Source: Billings, Ramsey & Co.

WHAT IT MEANS: Unexpected global demand growth, spurred by expanded use in China, has caused analyst Amir Arif of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. to hike his estimate for the 2007 world aluminum ingot price above the $1.16 average of last year.