In America, which accounts for more than a quarter of the world market, premiums rose slightly in nominal terms last year, but fell after adjusting for inflation.
The price of uranium oxide, from which fuel for nuclear power plants is made, has risen from $7.25 a pound in 2001 to $47.25—a record in nominal terms.
I'm going to assume that both real and nominal commodity prices have recently been increasing in most countries (say using a GDP-weighted set of exchange rates).
Premier oil Plc jumped 4.3 percent to 1, 876 pence after the Observer newspaper reported Korea National oil Corp. may make a bid for U.K. oil producer.
Petrofac Ltd. gained 2.5 percent to 1, 486 pence after the oilfield services and engineering provider was upgraded to "buy" from "neutral" at Goldman Sachs.
French Connection Group Plc surged 4.4 percent to 47 pence after the U.K.-based fashion retailer reported a 4.2 percent rise in half-yearly sales to 96.2 million pounds.
Rolls-Royce Group Plc climbed 1.3 percent to 645.5 pence after Citigroup Inc. raised its recommendation for the world’s second-largest maker of engines to “buy” from “hold.”
HSBC rose 2.5 percent to 689 pence after Citigroup Inc. upgraded the bank to "buy" from "hold," saying it may increase dividends from 34 cents in 2010 to 65 cents in 2013.
Berkeley climbed 4.5 percent to 878 pence after the homebuilder said net income rose to 44.5 million pounds ($69.7 million) in its fiscal first half from 36.9 million pounds a year earlier.