The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways with a slight downside bias, falling 1.49% from December to January. Meanwhile, the blocked sale of U.S. Steel could significantly affect steel prices in 2025. Biden Blocks Nippon-U.S. Steel Sale After the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) came to a split decision, the […]
Category: Commodities
Rare Earths MMI: The Trump Transition and What to Expect for U.S. Rare Earth Imports
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) displayed bearish sentiment as it entered 2025, dropping by 3.08%. Weak Chinese demand for metals across the board had at least some impact on the downward direction of the index month-over-month. Considering major changes are underway in the global rare earth industry, this created downward short-term price pressure. […]
Indonesian Firms Rush to Capitalize on Nickel
According to a Forbes report, the nickel business has become so lucrative that billionaire Kiki Barki, who built his fortune in coal mining, is now steering his Harum Energy toward nickel. Harum accelerated its nickel expansion this year through a series of strategic deals. Meanwhile, nickel prices ended 2024 below their 2023 close. Harum Makes […]
Renewables MMI: Q4 Battery Metal Results & Trump Administration Anticipated Market Shifts
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) dropped by 5.47% from December to January. Overall, renewable energy materials and battery metals experienced a somewhat bullish Q4. However, weak demand within China weighed heavily on metals like lithium and copper, and many market analysts expect the incoming Trump administration to place additional bearish sentiment on renewable energy […]
India Faces Steel Shock: Record Chinese Imports Threaten Domestic Producers
For India’s steel industry, what was feared is coming true. Initial government data shows that imports of finished steel from China hit a new record in the first eight months of the fiscal year ending March 2025. The news quickly sparked concerns among domestic steelmakers about the influx of cheaper Chinese shipments. India is the […]
EU Steel Crisis: Will Safeguards Save the Day?
In response to an ongoing crisis threatening the EU steel industry, the European Commission recently initiated a review of steel safeguards on imports. The move followed a request by 13 member states within the European Union. “The request is based on the challenging situation facing the EU steel sector, which has been exacerbated by an […]
Hot Rolled Coil Prices in Europe Increase: Mills Push for Revenue Recovery
Prices for hot rolled coil in Western Europe have risen further in the past month as mills seek to regain lost revenue from the declines of 2024. As the steel industry looks to 2025, this could have significant implications for prices and partnerships. “People are buying before year’s end. I’ve got several bids,” one market […]
Aluminum MMI: End of China Rebates, Alumina Supply Support Aluminum Prices
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) edged lower, with a 1.23% decline from November to December. Aluminum Prices: A Year in Review 2024 began on a low note for the aluminum market, as Q4 2023 witnessed a year-over-year drop in shipments as well as average selling prices for certain domestic suppliers. In its financial results, […]
Nickel Nightmare: Is Indonesia’s Dominance Hurting Global Markets?
When the story of global nickel prices is written for 2024, Indonesia and China will undoubtedly be the main characters. This is not only due to the former country’s high production output but also alleged violations of environmental rules and poor labor practices, which Indonesia has consistently denied. Indonesia is numero uno in global nickel […]
ArcelorMittal Hunedoara Halts Steel Production Amid Economic Downturn
Difficult market conditions have prompted Romanian steel industry leader ArcelorMittal Hunedoara to reduce production until year’s end. According to a notice provided to the Bucharest Stock Exchange, the longs producer’s board of directors decided to reduce production from December 9-31 and pay 75% of salaries to employees impacted by the steps. The December 6 notice also […]