Zinc's a Link for Traders Who Think

For those who love all things metal, this has been the best of times and the worst of times. It will be many years before another former Alcoa chairman romps through Africa with Bono and gets sacked as Treasury secretary in the same year.

Keep this episode in mind for Trivial Pursuit games with your grandchildren. And remember, that Larry Lindsey trading card could be worth something someday.

On the other hand, various representatives of the global steel industry, the greatest group of corporate panhandlers since airlines were invented, have opened exploratory talks with the London Metals Exchange about starting steel futures. I'll write the headline on this one: "Steel Industry Brass Emerges From Stone Age." ...