If I have to read one more story about metal scrap thefts, I might just¦well, I don’t know exactly what I’d do, but at this point, I do find the stories utterly boring. So, rather than keep re-reading the same stories about your run-of-the-mill metal theft, we thought we’d pull together a thief’s guide on sourcing metal.
To put together such an analysis, we decided to establish a set of criteria would-be criminals may find helpful. Such a buyer’s guide, if you will, ought to examine both benefits as well as costs and also point out areas of risk along with potential risk mitigation strategies.
The criteria:
- Forward cost curve It’s important that thieves really understand the underlying market dynamics as to where metal markets may go. For example, we saw a spate of copper thefts after the market crashed in the fall of 2008 that led us to the conclusion: Doh! Forward price curves appear plentiful on the Internet. We’ve included a few for comparison’s sake:
Forward Copper Price Curve:
Source: LME
Forward Nickel Price Curve
Source: LME
Forward Lead Price Curve:
Source: LME
Platinum (current prices)
Source: Kitco
Forward Aluminum Price Curve:
Source: LME
Steel Futures:
Source: CME Group
Tip: Focus on the metals with a positive sloping cost curve.
Check in with Part Two later today for the rest of this handy sourcing guide.
–Lisa Reisman
Disclaimer: This article is an utter farce. That means it’s a joke. You can’t sue us or come back later accusing us of goading you to somehow partake in said criminal activities. Theft is always illegal. If you decide to engage in a crime after reading this, then that’s your own dumb choice.
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