Consumers have looked aghast at rising aluminum prices this year and wondered how much longer it can continue. The explanation that global economies are bouncing back from pandemic lockdowns has encouraged many to hope that once supply chains are restocked, demand will ease and aluminum prices will fall. But several sources are suggesting the tightness […]
Year: 2021
This Morning in Metals: Rio Tinto, BC Works union reach agreement in principle
This morning in metals news: Rio Tinto said it had reached an agreement with the union representing workers at its BC Works; the Census Bureau reported new orders for manufactured durable goods increased in August; and, lastly, oil prices rose last week. More MetalMiner is available on LinkedIn. Rio Tinto, BC Works union reach deal […]
Automakers see 2022 steel price contract negotiations looking brutal
Just over a year ago, MetalMiner commented on the acquisition of most of ArcelorMittal USA’s assets by Cleveland-Cliffs (including potential impacts on steel prices). At the time, the MetalMiner analyst team suggested, “The deal strengthens the company’s position in the automotive sector. The company likely controls 60%-65% of exposed auto sheet supply (think steel used […]
US steel imports dip in August; steel prices continue gains
U.S. steel imports totaled an estimated 2.5 million metric tons in August, the Census Bureau reported Friday, as U.S. steel prices continue to post gains. The August total marked a decline from 2.7 million metric tons in July. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying for […]
Week in Review: China’s property market and steel prices; Alcoa to restart aluminum smelter; Ford to collaborate on battery supply chain
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals storylines here on MetalMiner: Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying for metal with MetalMiner should-cost models. Week of Sept. 20-24 (China’s property market and […]
This Morning in Metals: Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis take stakes in battery cell manufacturer
This morning in metals news: Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and TotalEnergies will each take a 33% stake in Automotive Cells Company; meanwhile, the Semiconductor Industry Association offered its reaction to the Biden administration’s recent meeting on the semiconductor supply chain; and, lastly, the Energy Information Administration expects a rise in natural gas consumption in 2021 and 2022. […]
Single-family housing starts slump in August
U.S. housing starts overall picked up in August, the Census Bureau reported this month. Request a 30-minute demo of the MetalMiner Insights platform now. Housing starts overall rise, but single-family starts drop Privately owned housing starts rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,615,000. The August rate jumped by 3.9% from the previous month. […]
This Morning in Metals: Alcoa announces restart of aluminum smelter idled since 2015
This morning in metals news: Alcoa said it plans to restart its Alumar aluminum smelter in Brazil; meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration forecasts hydropower generation will fall by 14% this year; and, lastly, European automakers are looking to bypass China in their rare earths supply chains. Are you under pressure to generate aluminum cost savings? […]
Evergrande crisis — and China’s property market in general — could have significant impact on metals prices
Anyone following the financial papers cannot have failed to read lurid reports regarding China’s Evergrande construction company, which appears on the brink of collapse. Volatility is the name of the game. Do you have a steel buying strategy that can handle the ups and downs? Chinese markets fall on Evergrande crisis Indeed, stock markets in […]
US steel capacity utilization dips to 84.9%
The U.S. steel capacity utilization rate fell slightly but remained at a healthy 84.9% for the week ending Sept. 18, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported this week. Volatility is the name of the game. Do you have a steel buying strategy that can handle the ups and downs? Steel capacity utilization hits 84.9% […]