By now, the world knows that although the current global copper reserves are sufficient to meet demand, extraction continues to lag behind consumption. As a result, many inside and outside the copper market fear there will be a shortage in the coming years. Predictions say that the annual global demand for copper will increase by […]
Category: Commodities
Flood of Cheap Steel Imports Sets off Alarm Bells for India
It seems all the fears expressed by Indian steelmakers (and policymakers) are coming true. There just seems to be no stopping the flood of cheap steel imports into domestic markets, a problem that continues to cause great agony for Indian steel manufacturing leaders. India became a net importer of steel in the first quarter of […]
Renewables MMI: Solar Surplus & Transformer Woes in the Wake of Hurricane Beryl
The Renewable MMI (Monthly Metals Index) slowed in terms of bearish price action, moving sideways and dropping 2.66%. Meanwhile, cobalt prices suffered another huge price drop, mainly due to weak demand and oversupply pulling the index down more than up. According to renewable energy news sources, the market could experience more metal price volatility due […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Precious Metals Prices to Experience More Volatility
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) held its four-month long sideways trend month-over-month. All in all, the index narrowly missed trading flat, only budging down 0.18%. However, numerous factors continue to pull at precious metals prices in general. Gold, for one, appeared to finally be settling down after reaching record highs earlier in […]
£2.5 Billion Funding Secured for Tata Steel’s Port Talbot Electric Arc Furnaces
According to an official with the country’s new government, an additional £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) will be made available for the UK steel manufacturing sector. This is in addition to the amount the government has already pledged for new furnaces at Tata Steel’s Port Talbot site. “There is a better deal available for Port Talbot […]
Aluminum MMI: Aluminum Prices Sideways Following U.S. Tariffs
Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) retraced, with a 4.67% decline from June to July. Aluminum prices continued to decline before finding a bottom in mid-June at their lowest level since mid-April. Overall, this reflected a 6.86% drop from June to July. Prices began to move sideways in mid-June, although the bias remains to […]
Construction MMI: Base Metals Stabilize, but Construction Costs Still Elevated
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) held true to its year-long sideways trend, only budging down 1.07%. While base metals prices in the construction market remain fairly stable, construction projects overall still continue to battle with elevated rates. This is especially true in the private sector. However, the market continues to push through more than […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Bearish as U.S., Mexico Take Action on Chinese Steel
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 4.5% from June to July. Although the pace of declines appeared to slow from the previous month, U.S. flat rolled steel prices remained bearish during June. HRC prices fell nearly 7%, followed by an almost 5% decline in HDG prices and a modest 2% drop in CRC […]
Automotive MMI: Automakers Hit the Brakes on Electric Vehicle Investments
Month over month, the Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) failed to break very far outside of its year-long sideways trend. All in all, the index dropped by 4.23% Numerous factors tugged the index down month-over-month, including slowing electric vehicle production. Another pressing matter putting pressure on the automotive market is China implementing further restrictions on […]
Zimbabwe’s $1.5 Billion Steel Plant Roars to Life
Zimbabwe’s got itself a brand new iron and steel manufacturing plant, courtesy of the Chinese. This U.S. $1.5 billion Chinese-built plant’s blast furnace recently came online and is already producing pig iron, a crucial ingredient for making steel. The team over at Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco), the Zimbabwean subsidiary of Chinese steel giant […]