Commodity prices are surging again, rebounding sharply from the steep declines late last year, as buyers gain
confidence Europe’s debt problems won’t cascade out of control and destroy demand.

Copper, aluminum and other industrial metals that can serve as manufacturing barometers shot up by double digits in percentage terms in January, led by tin’s 29% gain.

Precious metals also have climbed sharply, with gold up 11% and silver 19% in 2012. And prices for vital crops are rising, with corn up 10% and wheat 15% since mid-December.