Nichole Bastin

Stainless MMI: Stainless steel market tight, nickel shows volatility

The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) held flat this month, while the stainless steel market is tight. Nickel prices appear to have consolidated following the late November spike. As with other base metals, nickel has started to show a high degree of volatility and uncertainty that would suggest a breakout of the current trading range […]

Copper MMI: Copper prices consolidate after October spike

The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) held flat for this month’s reading. After the mid-October spike, copper prices have begun to consolidate. Any bullish technical patterns are at risk of invalidation, as prices appear to trade consistently lower. Additionally, its failure to break out of any bullish structures within smaller time frames suggests a weakness […]

Aluminum MMI: Aluminum prices move sideways, production to increase

The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell for the second consecutive month, this month dropping by 3.9% as aluminum prices trended sideways. After a sharp 7.6% drop in the early days of November, aluminum prices appeared to have found a bottom. Prices then traded sideways at summer support levels. Currently, aluminum is in a period […]

Stainless MMI: Stainless prices beneath peak but remain bullish

The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 3.8% month over month. Nickel continues to be within an overall uptrend. However, LME prices experienced significant volatility throughout October. Prices dropped as low as $17,810/mt in the early days of the month before they spiked to $20,475/mt by Oct. 21. Prices have since retraced and appear […]

Raw Steels MMI: Steel prices, demand soften

The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) dropped by 2.5% month over month. Stop obsessing about the actual forecasted steel price. It’s more important to spot the trend.  Auto steel demand shows weakness Steel prices appear poised for a decline in coming months as auto steel demand shows weakness and new capacity is set to […]

Copper MMI: Tight copper market sees high prices

The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 3.5% for this month’s reading. Copper had a phenomenal rally since 2020 that saw LME prices ascend nearly 132% to $10,720/mt in May 2021. Since the summer of 2021, however, price action indicates some consolidation after prices tested the $10,250/mt mark earlier in October. From a technical […]

Aluminum MMI: Following all-time high, aluminum prices plummet

The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell for the first time in nine months, dropping by 1.5%. After prices hit the record peak in late October, aluminum started to face some speed bumps when the price attempted to continue to trade upward. Since Beijing’s intervention into the coal market, LME aluminum prices began to retrace […]

Week in Review: Aluminum prices reach 10-year high

Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week’s news and some of the metals storylines here on MetalMiner: Aluminum prices reach 10-year high while a coup in Guinea threatens to disrupt global bauxite supply, China-Australia iron ore trade surges ahead despite ongoing tensions; and see MetalMiner’s analyst-driven Monthly Metals […]

This Morning in Metals: China to auction crude oil from its strategic reserves

This morning in metals news: In a bid to aid domestic refiners currently limited by steep energy costs, China announced plans to auction crude oil from its strategic reserves. In other news, Shell declares force majeure as Hurricane Ida’s fallout continues. Also in the news, July steel shipments show 37% year over year rise. Cut-to-length […]

This Morning in Metals: Aluminum prices reach 10-year high following Guinea coup

This morning in metals news: Aluminum prices reach 10-year highs after a coup in Guinea threatens to disrupt global bauxite supply. In other news, steep commodity prices send China’s factory-gate inflation to a 13-year high. Also in the news, Hurricane Ida’s damage leaves more than 75% of U.S. Gulf of Mexico oil production offline. Each […]

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