Category: Commodities

Is Volvo’s Restructuring a Warning Signal for Steel Demand?

Is Volvo’s Restructuring a Warning Signal for Steel Demand? AdobeStock 283224953 Editorial Use Only scaled e1748530728314

In late April, Swedish automaker Volvo announced plans to cut up to 3,000 jobs, or about 15% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring plan. Since then, steel industry insiders have pointed to the event as a potential warning sign for demand. According to statements from Volvo Cars CEO Håkan Samuelsson released on May […]

Steel Dumping Tsunami Recedes: China’s Export Peak May Be Behind Us

Steel Dumping Tsunami Recedes: China’s Export Peak May Be Behind Us China steel, steel industry

Has the countdown to the end of China’s steel dominance in its own and international markets begun? Some steel industry reports seem to indicate that this is exactly the case. Many chalk this up to a variety of factors, including a shift in steel demand dynamics, China’s own poor internal demand, its efforts to turn […]

China’s Metal Anti-Dumping is Back. What You Need to Know

China’s Metal Anti-Dumping is Back. What You Need to Know AdobeStock 202599780 scaled

Chinese mills are churning out steel, aluminum and even refined copper at near-record levels and sending the surplus abroad, a trend steel industry analysts say could pressure industrial metal prices in the United States. After a year of lagging domestic demand, China’s exports of construction and manufacturing metals have surged, flooding global markets with cheap […]

Rare Earth Truce or Trap? China’s Grip Still Chokes Global Supply

Rare Earth Truce or Trap? China’s Grip Still Chokes Global Supply AdobeStock 1113957903 scaled e1747839996260

With the United States and China ratcheting down the tariff war (for 90 days at least), many expected that the export of rare earths and permanent magnets would soon return to pre-trade war conditions, as MetalMiner’s weekly newsletter weighed in on in the past. However, that does not seem to be happening on the ground. […]

Volatility’s Back, and It’s Wreaking Havoc on Metal Sourcing Strategies

Volatility’s Back, and It’s Wreaking Havoc on Metal Sourcing Strategies Trump Tariffs 2025

Speculators may love volatility, but metal buyers hate it. As for Trump Tariffs 2025, the jury is still out. The truth is that a bout of unexpected turbulence like we’ve seen over the last couple of months can knock even the best-laid strategies sideways. The reasons are clear: markets nosedived in March and hit bottom […]

Copper MMI: Copper Prices Volatile on Tariff Shifts

Copper MMI: Copper Prices Volatile on Tariff Shifts copper prices

The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) retraced to the downside with a 4.23% decline from March to April. Looking at copper prices today, analysts seem to be struggling with ongoing trade policy shifts.   Copper Prices Zigzag Amid Uncertain Trade Policy Comex copper prices have experienced wild swings over the past few months. First, they […]

Global Precious Metals MMI: Gold Steals the Show Again with Brand New Record Highs

Global Precious Metals MMI: Gold Steals the Show Again with Brand New Record Highs Gold

The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) rose month-over-month. Overall, the index saw a price increase of 5.11% as precious metals prices fluctuated and gold prices hit new record highs again. Palladium Remains Lackluster Palladium continues to put in an underwhelming performance. Its biggest demand driver, automotive catalytic converters, has softened as U.S. vehicle […]

Renewables MMI: Buyers Stock Up Ahead of 10% Tariff Deadline

Renewables MMI: Buyers Stock Up Ahead of 10% Tariff Deadline Gavel

The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, rising a slight 2.83%. Metals prices, including those for copper, steel, lithium and cobalt, have seen significant swings in recent weeks as U.S. companies scramble to source material before tariffs are imposed. For instance, U.S. copper prices surged in Q1 as buyers raced ahead of potential import […]

Stainless MMI: Stainless Prices Stable Despite Q1 Market Improvements

Stainless MMI: Stainless Prices Stable Despite Q1 Market Improvements Stainless steel flats

Declining nickel prices saw the Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) drop from April to May. Overall, the index fell 3.34%. Suppliers Report Better Q1 Performance Domestic stainless suppliers reported improved market conditions in the first quarter. Both mills and service centers saw shipments increase as the barrage of tariff announcements spooked at least a few […]

Iron Ore Defies the Odds: Prices Surge After Tariff Rollbacks

Iron Ore Defies the Odds: Prices Surge After Tariff Rollbacks Iron ore shipments and iron ore prices

The past week or so has seen quite a yo-yo ride for global iron ore prices. Ore futures, including the most-active September contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE), dropped by about 2% on May 8. The reasons for this were twofold: the likely consequences of the U.S.-China trade tariff war, and a demand slowdown […]

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