Imports seem to be the biggest bugbear for the Indian steel industry. Cheap steel from China, Vietnam, and several other countries flooded the domestic market for months, putting Indian steel companies at a significant disadvantage. The problem is now so severe that representatives from the steel sector and the Indian Steel Ministry met earlier this month […]
Category: Commodities
Conflicting Reports Signal Chinese Aluminum Supply Uncertainty
Conflicting reports continue to emerge from China regarding aluminum supply, demand, and production. Some information notes that the downturn in the country’s economy is largely due to the ongoing real estate crisis. As demand wanes, this poses questions regarding the internal pickup of aluminum and other base metals. However, other reports talk of the country […]
Aluminum MMI: Aluminum Prices Sideways as UK Sanctions Leave Market Uncertainty
Aluminum prices continued to trade sideways during November and the first three weeks of December. Amid the long-term consolidation, prices sit only 6% beneath where they stood at the start of the year. Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways, with a modest 0.34% decline from November to December. MetalMiner’s 2024 Annual Metals […]
Major Trading Routes in Pandemonium: Houthi Rebels Attack the Red Sea
The recent surge in assaults on vessels in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels significantly impacted global commerce and maritime pathways. These intensified attacks continue to disrupt one of the busiest trade corridors on the planet, leading to longer voyage time, increased fuel consumption, and a potential need for larger fleets. Moreover, the resulting disruptions […]
Copper MMI: Possible Deficit Shifts Copper Price Outlook
Still short of a breakout, current copper prices lifted off their October lows during November and have yet to see a major downside correction. Nonetheless, copper prices remain sideways and sit only 1.5% above where they stood at the start of 2023. An increase among all of its components helped the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) […]
Stainless MMI: Stainless Market Bearish, Nickel Prices Prove Worst-Performing Base Metal of 2023
Nickel prices remained within a strong downtrend throughout November, hitting their lowest level since April 2021. While prices appeared to stabilize during the first half of December, the nickel market has overwhelmingly proven itself the worst-performing base metal with a roughly 45% year-to-date drop. Overall, the Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained bearish, with a […]
Japan’s Nippon Beats Nucor, Cliffs, ArcelorMittal in U.S. Steel Sale
US steel news sources and markets were abuzz on December 18 over Nippon Steel’s purchase of U.S Steel. The $14.9 billion investment represents a significant step in Nippon’s plan to expand its U.S. assets, and pushed the Japanese company from the fourth to the third-largest global steel producer. In total, it will now account for […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Bullish as HRC Price Break $1,000/st
While the Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 6.43% from November to December, U.S. flat rolled steel prices remain decidedly bullish. By mid-December, hot rolled coil prices broke above the $1,000 per short ton mark for the first time since June. To date, HRC prices have risen almost 53% this year, outperforming all base […]
ArcelorMittal Completes Sale of Kazakh Operations Following Coking Coal Mine Blast
ArcelorMittal recently completed the sale of its steel making and mining operations in Kazakhstan. This move came after the Central Asian state’s government demanded its renationalization due to an October blast at a coking coal mine. On December 8, the Luxembourg-headquartered group reported that the state-controlled direct investment fund Qazaqstan Investment Corporation (QIC) acquired ArcelorMittal […]
China’s Changing Appetite: The Future of Australia’s Iron Ore Supply, Iron Ore Prices
An expected slowdown in China’s uptake and a world that is increasingly moving toward “green” iron ore and steel will be two crucial drivers affecting the future of iron production. This is especially true for Australia, one of the world’s largest miners of raw iron ore. Should demand change or iron ore prices shift dramatically, […]