New China tariffs may soon change the country’s steel market tactics. China continues to sit on a stockpile of steel, and it has no idea what to do with most of it. The exception, however, seems to be dumping it into foreign markets for cheap under the guise of “exportation.” China remains unable to use […]
Category: Commodities
ThyssenKrupp Responds to Market Turbulence with Bold Production Cuts
Germany flats producer ThyssenKrupp Steel (TKS) recently announced plans to cut its production capacity by an average of 19.5%, citing current market conditions as the main reason. Indeed, the European steel industry continues to face a wide range of challenges, including economic challenges and surging energy costs. “The aim is to make ThyssenKrupp Steel fit […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Gold Prices Surge, But is It a Gold Rush, or Gold Bust?
Month-on-month, the Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) rose by 8.25%. However, shortly after April 1, precious metal prices, particularly gold and silver, began surging as investors flocked to purchase as many gold bullions as possible. The reasons for this newfound “gold rush” include inflation hedging, anticipation of interest rate cuts, and geopolitical uncertainty. […]
Will the Taiwan Earthquake Impact Semiconductor Production?
Reports indicate that the earthquake that struck Taiwan on April 2 is unlikely to create either supply or manufacturing difficulties for Taiwan semiconductors (microchips), which could subsequently impact the auto sector and steel prices. “I haven’t heard about any impact on the industry due to the earthquake,” one steel trader told MetalMiner. The seismic incident registered 7.2 on […]
LME’s Russian Metal Ban Shifts Global Metal Trade Dynamics
China will undoubtedly become an even more significant buyer of Russian metals following the London Metal Exchange’s ban on newly produced Russian aluminum, copper, and nickel. China has already evolved into a major market for Russian-made products following dwindling demand in the West, and these new Russian sanctions will likely only further cement that position. […]
Copper MMI: Sanctions Hit Copper Market, Volatility Ahead
Copper prices continued their breakout during March, rising 4.25%. Prices then formed a second higher high on March 15, followed by a new higher low on March 27. The rally continued throughout April as prices climbed an additional 7.59%. As of April 15, they stand at their highest level since June 2022. Subscribe to MetalMiner’s […]
Aluminum MMI: Prices Inch Toward 2023 High Amid China Supply Cut
Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways, with a 2.03% rise from March to April. Aluminum prices outperformed all base metals throughout March, with a 4.71% rise from the close of February. Prices continued their rally throughout April, hitting their highest level since February 2023 by April 8. Aluminum Prices Chase 2023 Highs […]
Construction MMI: Manufacturing Boom Helping Industrial Metal Demand, Construction Delays Hurting It
Month-over-month, the Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways for the fourth month in a row, only sliding down a slight 2.87%. Of all industrial metals, iron ore suffered the worst drop in price by far, hitting a 10-month low before a slight rebound. The main component holding the index up was aluminum 1050 sheet […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Flatten, Is an Uptrend Next?
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with a modest 1.38% decline in steel prices from March to April. U.S. flat rolled steel prices continued to trade down throughout March. Meanwhile, HRC prices fell 8.35% to close the month at a new lower low. However, hot rolled coil prices traded up during the […]
Liberty Steel’s Ambitious Expansion Strategy Revealed: Hiking Capacity at Rotherham Plant
Liberty Steel recently announced a restructuring plan for its operations in the United Kingdom after signing a new framework agreement with creditors. Among other things, the ambitious plan includes hiking crude steel manufacturing capacity at its Rotherham plant. The London-based company noted that the plan would see Liberty consolidate all its operations in the UK […]