The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, nudging up just 2.54%. Overall, the index continues to move in its more than year-long sideways range, with metal prices remaining stagnant. While the index had a slight response to the September interest rate drop, it will take a lot more than that to generate any type […]
Category: Commodities
Aluminum MMI: Aluminum Market Sees Mixed Headwinds
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 3.16% from September to October. Aluminum prices continued to rise throughout September, with a 5.31% increase. By October 4, the uptrend found at least a short-term peak as the price of aluminum hit its highest level since June, followed by a modest decline. Get weekly updates with expert-driven […]
Nickel Prices Surge Past $18K: Is a Stainless Steel Rebound Finally on the Horizon?
Of late, nickel prices have been on the rise. More recently, nickel hit a new three-month high on the London Metal Exchange (LME), surging past US $18,000 per metric ton. The price of this material, which is crucial for making stainless steel, has been under pressure for months. Now, it seems to be showing strong […]
ArcelorMittal’s New Ladle Furnace Powers Up for a 10% Carbon Cut
Steel industry leader ArcelorMittal recently commissioned a new, two-stand ladle furnace at its Fos-sur-Mer site in southern France. The Luxembourg-headquartered group stated that the furnace will cut carbon emissions from the flats producer by up to 10%. In an October 3 announcement, ArcelorMittal stated that each of the two stands on the new equipment can […]
ThyssenKrupp Steel Warns of Cuts on Poor Steel Market
German steel industry leader ThyssenKrupp Steel (TKS) recently warned that workers at the Duisburg-headquartered company face deep cuts due to a declining European steel market. On September 28, German media quoted Dennis Grimm, executive board spokesperson for TKS, as saying, “The current market situation has deteriorated again in recent months, and unfortunately, there is no […]
Automotive MMI: Dropping Steel Production Likely to Impact Automobile Manufacturers
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) reduced its downward price action, moving sideways month-over-month by 0.43%. While the automotive industry dodged a bullet with the east coast port strike only lasting 3-4 days, the industry could still face more pressure due to lower steel output. Thanks to ongoing mill maintenance that began in August, hot-dipped […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Edge Higher as Output Plummets
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with a mere 0.12% increase from September to October. U.S. flat rolled steel prices showed mixed direction during September. HRC prices traded up, CRC prices moved sideways and HDG prices traded down. However, CRC and HDG prices found at least a short-term bottom in September. By […]
Stainless MMI: Stainless Mills Struggle With Oversupply
Overall, the Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 0.75% from September to October. Nickel prices moved sideways with a slight upside bias throughout September. In total, prices rose 1.64% month over month, which offered support to the 304 stainless surcharge. Stainless Entered the Month Heavily Oversupplied The stainless market opened Q4 with little optimism. Reports […]
Rare Earths MMI: China’s Rare Earths Restrictions in Full Effect
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) witnessed another sharp rise in price action month-over-month, this time increasing by 8.33%. The main culprit behind the bullish momentum was China’s rare earths export restriction, which officially went into effect on October 1. The rare earths market could continue to experience volatility with the new restrictions in […]
East Coast Logistics Paralysis: Union Strikes Set to Cripple Supply Chains
Maybe the port strike was inevitable. The unions are likely hedging their bets that a softer Democrat administration will fight in their corner now in the event a less cooperative Republican administration replaces them. They could be going for it while they feel they will get a better hearing from the top. So far, that […]