Category: Commodities

U.S. Slaps 122.5% Tariff on Chinese Tin Plate Steel, Sparks Accusations of Unfair Play

U.S. Slaps 122.5% Tariff on Chinese Tin Plate Steel, Sparks Accusations of Unfair Play Screenshot-2023-08-22-at-5.14.24-PM

The U.S. Department of Commerce recently decided to enforce preliminary anti-dumping duties on imports of tin mill and tin plate steel from China at a duty rate of 122.5%. As this is the highest preliminary rate, the move provoked severe criticism from trade analysts and experts across China.  This tariff also applies to China’s leading […]

Renewables/GOES MMI: Cobalt and Other Battery Metals Prices Rise Slightly

Renewables/GOES MMI: Cobalt and Other Battery Metals Prices Rise Slightly Battery recycling concept. Green energy, Background from battari

Since April, the Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) has been in a tight sideways trend. Falling demand and slumping material production for battery metals in China, as well as an oversupply of materials continue to exert bearish pressure on the index. However, month-over-month, the index finally broke its sideways trend, rising by 4.75%. Chinese stimulus […]

U.S. and Mongolia Forge Pact to Extract Rare Earths

U.S. and Mongolia Forge Pact to Extract Rare Earths Mongolia

At a meeting several days ago, officials from the U.S. and Mongolia discussed devising innovative approaches to ensure the smooth entry of essential minerals from the landlocked Mongolian nation into the global market, namely for materials for rare earth magnets. Following his meeting with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, Mongolian Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene […]

China’s Imports of Refined Copper Hit Four-Year Low

China’s Imports of Refined Copper Hit Four-Year Low Screenshot-2023-08-17-at-1.40.53-PM

In the first half of 2023, China’s intake of refined copper saw the biggest drop in four years. The news underscores the current deceleration of the nation’s manufacturing sphere. China is one of the world’s largest buyers of refined copper. Still, it seems the country’s appetite for imports is waning. According to a report by […]

Raw Steels MMI: HRC Steel Prices Resume Downtrend, Cliffs Looks to Acquire U.S. Steel

Raw Steels MMI: HRC Steel Prices Resume Downtrend, Cliffs Looks to Acquire U.S. Steel West Chester, Ohio, USA - December 28, 2021: Cliffs headquarters

The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with steel prices experiencing a modest 1.17% decline from July to August. Flat-rolled steel prices seemingly found a bottom at the end of June before experiencing a modest increase. By mid-July, prices returned bearish, edging downward during the remainder of the month. HRC prices ultimately traded […]

Glencore’s Bid for Teck Resources Sparks Environmental Concerns

Glencore’s Bid for Teck Resources Sparks Environmental Concerns Stuttgart, Germany - 01-28-2022: Mobile phone with website of co

Glencore continues to express interest in a tie-up with base metals producer Teck Resources. Recently, the multinational commodity trader and mining company proposed steps to address the Canadian firm’s concerns over carbon exposure as a result of any merger. The main source of contention for the deal is Teck’s coking coal operation. “Glencore is fully […]

Steel Industry Disruption: Cleveland-Cliffs’ Jaw-Dropping Bid to Acquire US Steel Makes Waves

Steel Industry Disruption: Cleveland-Cliffs’ Jaw-Dropping Bid to Acquire US Steel Makes Waves Screenshot-2023-08-14-at-11.23.00-AM

Late Sunday night, the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. Steel had rejected an unsolicited offer from Cleveland-Cliffs for the company, valuing it at $7 billion. According to the report, Cliffs offered $17.50/share in cash plus 1,023 shares of Cliffs stock. U.S. Steel promptly rejected the offer and indicated that it would seek alternative proposals. […]

Stainless MMI: Outokumpu Looks to Expand After Q2 Drop, Nickel Prices Find Lower High

Stainless MMI: Outokumpu Looks to Expand After Q2 Drop, Nickel Prices Find Lower High Rolled steel. Stack of rolls, cold rolled steel coils in action. Galvanized steel sheet and rusted edge. Cold rolled steel coils. Drum turns sheets into production. Industrial

Although nickel prices rose more than 8% during July, prices found a peak at the beginning of August and fell to create a higher high. Indeed, prices began to retrace downward as bearish patterns became apparent in price action. While prices have yet to substantially break below monthly support or create a new lower low, […]

Construction MMI: Chinese Manufacturing Still Slumping, Impacting U.S. Construction

Construction MMI: Chinese Manufacturing Still Slumping, Impacting U.S. Construction excavator in construction site on sunset sky background

The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continues to experience pressure from both sides amid conflicting global construction news. For instance, U.S. scrap steel prices recently dropped due to more vehicles being manufactured (car manufacturing always produces ample scrap). However, Chinese steel product prices went up at the same time. Ultimately, metal markets witnessed more movement […]

Copper MMI: Copper Prices Edge Upward As Investment Funds Increase Bullish Bets

Copper MMI: Copper Prices Edge Upward As Investment Funds Increase Bullish Bets Copper wire raw materials recycling industries

The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 3.79% from July to August. Copper prices started to show uncertainty last month amid an absence of directional strength. A lack of bullish or bearish patterns that would otherwise drive prices translated into minimal momentum to the upside or downside. Copper prices today continue to move in a […]

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