The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continues to experience pressure from both sides amid conflicting global construction news. For instance, U.S. scrap steel prices recently dropped due to more vehicles being manufactured (car manufacturing always produces ample scrap). However, Chinese steel product prices went up at the same time. Ultimately, metal markets witnessed more movement […]
Automotive MMI: Consumer Demand Still Up, Sideways Steel Prices Helping Automotive Industry
Compared to other metal industries, components of the automotive industry still remain somewhat strong, despite the Automotive MMI (Monthly Metal Index’s) sideways movement over the past seven months. Pent-up consumer demand still runs strong in the industry. However, it still continues to battle high interest rates and falling steel prices due to slumping demand. There […]
Rare Earths MMI: Will Chinese Stimulus Help Support Rare Earth Magnets?
Month-over-month, the Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) broke its short-term sideways trend and once again spiked down. Overall, the index witnessed a 10.03% decrease as reduced short-term demand continues to cause more and more supply to build up. This leaves rare earth prices struggling to find support. However, the prospect of China offering a […]
Preparing for 2024 Metal Contract Negotiation Time
Buyers typically renew their annual metal sourcing contracts every year. Doing so helps ensure continuity and stability for ongoing business relationships. One might think, “Sure, sure. I know that. But how should I prepare properly?” After all, the contract negotiation process often proves stressful for even the most savvy metal sourcing professionals. To make matters […]
Renewables/ GOES MMI: Cobalt Rallies, Renewable Energy Storage Facilities Expanding
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) saw little movement month-over-month. The index held sideways and only dropped a mere 0.12%, just narrowly missing trading flat. Moreover, the main factor which pushed the index sideways instead of down (according to renewable energy news) was cobalt rallying. It’s the first significant price rise cobalt has seen since […]
Construction MMI: Construction Material Costs Remain Elevated
The latest construction news reports that while interest rates remain high, inflation is finally losing steam. This could go a long way toward helping U.S. construction projects. However, the Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continues to experience pull in both directions. This is mainly due to ongoing labor shortages and the inflated cost of materials […]
Automotive MMI: Automobile Sales Rise, but Falling Steel Demand Impacts Market
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continued its decline in June, this time falling by 3.28%. The aluminum and copper components of the index traded sideways. However, all other parts of the index dropped. Lead prices managed to trend more sideways in June than in May, but weak demand continues to impact lead and steel […]
Rare Earths MMI: Rare Earth Race Continues Between U.S. and China
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) saw little change month-on-month. Overall, the index continued its sideways trend, dropping a slight 2.5%. Rare earth carbonate saw the largest price shift between June 1 and July 1, dipping 10.59%. Still, as a whole, the index continues to trend in stark difference to the sharp price drops […]
Are Copper Futures REALLY as Bullish as Some Say?
We’ve all heard the story. “The green energy movement will keep copper up!.” But, realistically, how bullish is the long-term outlook for copper? Here at MetalMiner, we’ve pondered this question quite a bit. Ultimately, we’ve come to the conclusion that the copper futures indeed possess a lot of long-term potential. However, is it possible that […]
Do High Russian Aluminum Volumes Call the LME’s Integrity into Question?
(Editor’s Note: This article has been edited and updated since it’s earlier publication to reflect the LME position on Russian origin materials) It’s no news that the London Metal Exchange (LME) has seen a big rise in Russian aluminum inventories in its warehouses. However, the surge in Russian metal remains a source of concern. After […]