This morning in metals news: the US Court of International Trade issued a Section 232-related ruling; General Motors announced the manufacturing locations of its first-ever Chevrolet Silverado electric pickup and GMC Hummer EV SUV; and, lastly, top copper producer Chile closed borders. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to […]
Year: 2021
Supply chains at risk as the world moves toward electrification
A recent Telegraph article suggests the West is sleepwalking into missing the next industrial revolution as China voraciously buys up raw material assets around the world. Those assets include securing its future supplies of cobalt, copper, lithium and other metals. The aforementioned comes in addition to its current domination of rare earth metals. The MetalMiner […]
Oil price shakes off relaxation of OPEC+ curbs
In a surprise move last week, OPEC+ announced a further gradual relaxation of the group’s 2020 emergency 9.7 million barrels per day cut in oil output, causing the oil price to briefly retreat. In December, OPEC+ had intended to ease the curb by about 500,000 barrels per day each month in 2021. However, in the […]
Strong Copper Demand, But Products See Shift
The copper market saw a near doubling in prices over the last year. Copper fell to an LME low in March 2020 of $4,371 per metric ton. Fast forward to this year, however, and it closed at $8,764 prior to this past weekend. But anyone following the copper market will know that even that price […]
This Morning in Metals: US steel capacity utilization reaches 77.9%
This morning in metals news: the US steel capacity utilization rate ticked up to 77.9% last week; Novelis announced new sustainability targets; and the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) issued a ruling on seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line and pressure pipe. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you […]
Construction MMI: February 2021 construction spending dips, pending home sales also down
The Construction Monthly Metals Index (MMI) ticked up 1.0% for this month’s reading, as US construction spending dipped in February. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top of metals markets and buying strategies. US construction spending Construction spending in February reached a seasonally adjusted annual […]
Automotive MMI: Automakers race ahead to strong Q1 2021 auto sales
The Automotive Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 2.5% for this month’s reading, as Q1 2021 auto sales surged. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top of metals markets and buying strategies. US automotive sales The first quarter is in the rear-view mirror. General […]
This Morning in Metals: US energy consumption down 7% in 2020
This morning in metals news: US energy consumption fell by 7% in 2020; the United Steelworkers union commented on the details of President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan; and the aluminum price retraced last week. Want an occasional email from MetalMiner that highlights new content with NO sales ploys? Join that list here. US energy […]
McKinsey report: European steel faces major challenges in the years ahead
The European steel industry faces three major challenges, following the impacts of the COVID-19 global and the 2008-09 financial crisis, management consultancy McKinsey & Company stated. “European steel producers should consider making a series of short-term operational and medium- to long- term strategic moves to ensure economic and environmental sustainability going forward,” McKinsey said in […]
Week in Review: Steel imports; April 2021 MMO; Suez Canal aftermath
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, including the Suez Canal blockage, the April 2021 MMO, Western European hot rolled coil prices and much more: Sign up today for Gunpowder, MetalMiner’s free, biweekly e-newsletter featuring news, analysis […]