The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) narrowly missed trading flat, only budging down a mere 0.01%. Precious metals prices experienced an array of volatility in both directions, which held the overall index firmly in a sideways trend. Gold prices continue to rise while other precious metals like palladium and silver dropped (price trends […]
Renewables MMI: China’s Battery Metals Stockpile, What Does it Mean for U.S. Companies?
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continued to plateau, moving sideways with only a slight 1.29% drop. Currently, there isn’t enough bullish or bearish price action to yank the index too far out of its sideways trend. The historically volatile movements of grain-oriented electrical steel prices are currently the only factor adding any significant volatility […]
Construction MMI: US Manufacturing Boom or US Manufacturing Recession?
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) finally broke free of its year-long sideways trend, but only slightly. All in all, price action moved down by 3.52%, adding to questions about the state of US manufacturing. Iron ore, h-beam, and steel rebar prices dropping were the main components driving the index down. In general, numerous factors […]
Automotive MMI: EV Demand Failing to Boost Overall Metal Demand
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) maintained a steady sideways trend month-over-month, only moving down 2.53%. Overall steel demand remains tepid, which left little bullish sentiment for hot-dipped galvanized steel. Meanwhile, other metals prices, including copper, dropped after their speculative rallies cooled off in July. Overall, the components of the automotive index had little to […]
Renewables MMI: Solar Surplus & Transformer Woes in the Wake of Hurricane Beryl
The Renewable MMI (Monthly Metals Index) slowed in terms of bearish price action, moving sideways and dropping 2.66%. Meanwhile, cobalt prices suffered another huge price drop, mainly due to weak demand and oversupply pulling the index down more than up. According to renewable energy news sources, the market could experience more metal price volatility due […]
Construction MMI: Base Metals Stabilize, but Construction Costs Still Elevated
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) held true to its year-long sideways trend, only budging down 1.07%. While base metals prices in the construction market remain fairly stable, construction projects overall still continue to battle with elevated rates. This is especially true in the private sector. However, the market continues to push through more than […]
Automotive MMI: Automakers Hit the Brakes on Electric Vehicle Investments
Month over month, the Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) failed to break very far outside of its year-long sideways trend. All in all, the index dropped by 4.23% Numerous factors tugged the index down month-over-month, including slowing electric vehicle production. Another pressing matter putting pressure on the automotive market is China implementing further restrictions on […]
Rare Earths MMI: What China Further Tightening Rare Earths Means for the U.S.
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) took a steep dive in price action after a month of relative stability, dropping 14.4%. Terbium (both metal and oxide) yanked the index down tremendously, falling more than 16%. However, the rare earths index could yet experience some rebound from now until October, when China’s recent set of […]
Renewables/GOES MMI: Despite Slight GOES Supply Gut, U.S. Still Lacks Enough Transformers for Renewable Energy
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) witnessed more notable declines month-over-month than last month’s MMI, declining by 7.09%. Renewable energy news sources indicate there exists a number of renewable energy projects within the U.S. currently ready to begin work, but are on hold due to an array of factors. Furthermore, solar and wind fields still […]
Construction MMI: Sluggish Metal Demand in China Continues to Weigh on Industrial Metal Demand Globally
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continued to hold sideways month-over-month, without significant bullish or bearish pressure on industrial metals. Overall, the index saw a slight 2.56% uptick in price action. However, it failed to break out of its 10-month-long sideways price range. Weekly Midwest bar fuel surcharges dropped significantly, which pulled the index down. […]