This morning in metals news: J.D. Power and LMC Automotive released their joint forecast on February US auto sales; meanwhile, US steel imports fell by 23% in January; and, lastly, Ford’s CEO urged the US government to support the implementation of electric vehicle applications. February US auto sales forecast to rise New-vehicle retail sales in […]
Biden signs executive order aimed at securing supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals
President Joe Biden’s latest executive order seeks to secure a variety of important supply chains. For example, in one higher-profile case, General Motors recently announced it would extend downtimes at several plants as a result of a semiconductor shortage. As we’ve noted in our Rare Earths Monthly Metals Index (MMI) series, rare earths supply has […]
MSCI: US metals shipments down year over year but up from spring 2020 lows
Like other economic indicators, metals shipments in the US and Canada have come a long way since the bottoming out that occurred last spring (prompted by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic). According to the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI), shipments have recovered both in the US and Canada. However, shipments in January still came […]
This Morning in Metals: Arconic reports 14% revenue decline, led by aerospace weakness
This morning in metals news: Arconic reported its fourth quarter and full-year 2020 financial results; meanwhile, the Census Bureau reported steel import totals; and, finally, hot rolled coil steel prices continue to rise. Arconic reports Q4, 2020 financial results Pittsburgh-based Arconic reported Q4 2020 revenues of $1.5 billion, up 3% from the previous quarter. However, […]
Copper price continues to rise as supply tightens
The copper price has resumed its rise this month after taking a brief pause in January. Meanwhile, on the supply side, tightening began last year and could exacerbate in the year ahead. Strong demand from China, lack of new mine investment and enthusiasm about copper’s role in the renewables revolution are all contributing to the […]
This Morning in Metals: US industrial production up 0.9% in January
This morning in metals news: US industrial production picked up in January; global aluminum output also rose in January; and, lastly, General Motors reported a milestone in the construction of a new battery cell manufacturing plant in northeast Ohio. US industrial production rises US industrial production rose by 0.9% in January, the Federal Reserve reported. […]
US steel capacity utilization rises to 77.0%, steel prices continue to rise
The US steel sector capacity utilization rate ticked up to 77.0% for the week ending Feb. 20, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported. Steel capacity utilization gains US steel production during the week ending Feb. 20 totaled 1.75 million net tons, AISI reported. The total marked a 7.2% year-over-year decline. Furthermore, the weekly […]
This Morning in Metals: Copper price rally continues
This morning in metals news: the copper price rally is going strong; meanwhile, Rio Tinto released its 2020 Annual Report; and, finally, Norilsk Nickel reported a fatal accident at one of its facilities. Copper price rally After a January lull, the copper price rally has resumed in February. The LME three-month copper price closed Friday […]
Week in Review: Aluminum industry going greener; rare earths chess game; nickel, stainless dynamics
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 aluminum industry and its efforts to curb emissions, China’s latest foray in the global rare earths chess game and much more: You want more MetalMiner on your terms. […]
This Morning in Metals: Gold price, US dollar retrace while Bitcoin surges
This morning in metals news: the gold price continues to slide; the Federal Reserve released its latest Monetary Policy Report; and the record freeze in Texas is disrupting natural gas production. Gold price weakens After surging to around $2,035 per ounce in August, the gold price for the most part trended in a band between […]