China’s “zero tolerance” warning to commodity speculators over the weekend sent prices of some metals and iron ore tumbling. A meeting held on Sunday between at least five government departments, including the the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), concluded that the fight against hoarders and speculators leading to soaring commodities prices would be taken […]
Year: 2021
This Morning in Metals: US steel capacity utilization dips slightly to 79.0%
This morning in metals news: the US steel capacity utilization rate reached 79.0% last week; the state-owned Indonesia Battery Corporation and South Korea’s LG will build a $1.2 billion battery plant in Indonesia; and the copper price has cooled since reaching an all-time high earlier this month. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a […]
Metals prices pull back from recent highs
A bullish report in Reuters last week advising metal output in China was breaking records, again, looks at odds with developments this week. Relentlessly rising prices have taken a sharp about-turn, the BBC reported. See why technical analysis is a superior forecasting methodology over fundamental analysis and why it matters for your aluminum buy. Rising […]
This Morning in Metals: Norsk Hydro explores potential uses for bauxite residue
This morning in metals news: Oslo-based Norsk Hydro has reached an agreement with a Brazilian university to explore the potential uses of bauxite residue from its mining operations; US natural gas-fired generation declined over the first four months of the year; and existing-home sales fell in April. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a […]
UK steel industry pushes for protectionism — even for steels it doesn’t produce
The phrase “be careful what you wish for” is often used by those who smirk at an unexpected outcome from a decision. But some in the British Conservative party’s so-called Red Wall – those former Labour or center-left voters who swung behind the Conservative, or center-right, party in supporting Britain’s departure from Europe — must […]
Week in Review: Copper overheating?; cobalt pilot project; MetalMiner webinars
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including copper price developments, an upcoming MetalMiner webinar and more: The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top of metals markets and […]
This Morning in Metals: MetalMiner webinar to cover allocation markets, signs buyers should monitor
This morning in metals news: an upcoming MetalMiner webinar will cover the signs metals buyers should look out for when assessing when allocation markets might be coming to an end; meanwhile, Ford Motor Co. took home a prize for advanced high-strength steel innovations; and, lastly, steel prices continue to rise. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library […]
Tin in extreme distress as inventory is low, logistics delays persist
When the topic of tin comes up, many people think of baked beans — well, maybe not the beans, but the tin they come in. Tinplate is a major consumer of metallic tin. However, due to technological development over the decades, many tins are now coated with resins. Those that still use tin are operating […]
This Morning in Metals: Companies launch solution for end-to-end cobalt traceability
This morning in metals news: several companies have collaborated on a solution that aims to allow for end-to-end cobalt traceability; meanwhile, the Associated General Contractors of America said rising materials prices threaten the economic recovery; and, lastly, the US, Canada and Mexico issued a trilateral statement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The MetalMiner Best Practice […]
USITC votes to maintain duties on steel nail imports from five countries
For those in the market for steel nails — particularly those in the construction sector, who are already facing skyrocketing lumber costs — an announcement this week offers no pricing relief. With volatile steel markets, knowing which strategy to execute and when can make all the difference between saving and losing money. See how MetalMiner […]