U.S. steel prices hit a bottom at the beginning of December, then began to climb. Hot rolled coil prices rose over 8% from their December low. Meanwhile, plate prices traded down for the first time since September. Overall, the Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 7.98% from December to January. MetalMiner’s free weekly […]
Category: Carbon Steel
NLMK La Louvière, a Belgian producer of hot-rolled coils (HRC), to recommence production
In steel news, Russian-Belgian strip producer NLMK La Louvière aims to restart rolling operations. A source close to the plant told MetalMiner that the current goal for the restart is the end of January. The announcement comes just weeks after a fire knocked the facility off stream. The December 23 fire was located in the […]
Construction MMI: Chinese Sourced Steel Prices Spike, Supply Pinches Possible
The Construction MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) rose considerably by 7.68%, with Chinese steel prices getting a significant boost. In fact, all facets of the index related to China (except for iron ore) increased. The movement came in the wake of zero-COVID restrictions lifting, which resulted in a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. While this was […]
Steel Prices and Global Market: a 2022 Review
Steel prices endured long-term declines throughout 2022. However, with so many geopolitical events and supply chain pinches, it is important to note that the market in general was quite volatile. Steel Prices: Q1 of 2022 Raw steels started the year with a huge bang, rising over 12% between January and February. China’s climate efforts caused […]
Destroyed Ukrainian Energy Grids Impact Steel Production
Steel production in Ukraine took a hit this past week due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Industry watchers told MetalMiner that several Ukrainian steelmakers are facing production and rolling issues. Energy suppliers are rationing power distribution to major consumers. The rationing is the direct result of missile attacks and other military actions by Russian […]
Automotive MMI: Interest Rates Move Up, Consumer Demand Moves Down
The Automotive MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) finally broke its downward trend and traded sideways, inching up by 2.53%. Meanwhile, myriad factors continue to pressure metal prices. The demand for vehicles among consumers remains strong. However, low inventories throughout most of 2022 placed a huge strain on the index. Without parts, the manufacturing of new vehicles […]
China Reacts Strongly to WTO’s Ruling of Trump Administration Metal Duties
In the latest US steel news, a WTO ruling has sparked a new war of words between the United States and China. Last weekend, the WTO finally ruled on the 25% taxes on global steel imports and 10% import tariffs on aluminum imposed under former US President Donald Trump. The WTO dispute settlement panel ruled […]
Construction MMI: Aluminum Plate and Steel Rebar Reverse
The Construction MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) flatlined sideways, moving downward by a meager 0.07%. The overall volatility of metal prices remains a primary challenge to the index. The near-stationary index contrasts starkly with the downward 2022 trend. Aside from fluctuating metal prices, the industry also had its integrity tested by several other problems. These included […]
Raw Steels MMI: Where is the Bottom for Falling Steel Prices?
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell by 2.34% from November to December. Ultimately, U.S. steel prices remain decidedly bearish. Meanwhile, hot rolled coil prices saw the most substantial decline, falling 12.6% month over month. Plate prices, on the other hand, mainly remained sideways but continued to edge slowly downward with a 2.9% decline. […]
Renewables/GOES MMI: Steel Plate Drops While Battery Metals Hold Strong
The December Renewables MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) traded sideways, practically in a straight line. Overall, metal prices within the index only dropped 0.83%. This sideways trend contrasts sharply with the steep drop renewables saw just six months ago. Battery metals within the index, such as cobalt and silicon, held a steady sideways trend, only rising […]
