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 […]
Category: Commodities
LME Quotation Anxieties Cause Aluminum Buyers Lose Sleep
MetalMiner actively posts on a variety of metals and market developments. However, we prefer to discuss topics that our clients bring to us, especially those that keep buyers awake at night. One such topic that has been recurring over recent months is the anxiety surrounding the LME aluminum quotation. Specifically, there has been a lot […]
Automotive MMI: Consumer Demand Still Up, Sideways Steel Prices Helping Automotive Industry
Compared to other metal industries, components of the automotive industry still remain somewhat strong, despite the Automotive MMI (Monthly Metal Index’s) sideways movement over the past seven months. Pent-up consumer demand still runs strong in the industry. However, it still continues to battle high interest rates and falling steel prices due to slumping demand. There […]
Aluminum MMI: LME Aluminum Prices Rise As Midwest Premium Falls
Although aluminum prices started to rebound in the short term, they have yet to breach ranges that would signal the beginning of a new trend. Indeed, prices continue to create an uncertain environment for the aluminum market due to the lack of direction. Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, rising a modest […]
Chinese Exports, Steel Prices Trigger Crisis for Indian Producers
India may be the world’s second-largest steel producer, yet it continues to grapple with reliance on steel imports. In the last few months, China has emerged as a major steel exporter to India, leading to protests from India’s domestic sector. Indeed, India’s June 2023 steel imports rose by 5.9% month-on-month and 7.6% year-on-year. Alongside China, the country also […]
Rare Earths MMI: Will Chinese Stimulus Help Support Rare Earth Magnets?
Month-over-month, the Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) broke its short-term sideways trend and once again spiked down. Overall, the index witnessed a 10.03% decrease as reduced short-term demand continues to cause more and more supply to build up. This leaves rare earth prices struggling to find support. However, the prospect of China offering a […]
Ukraine’s Ferrexpo Sees Production Boost, Potentially Impacting Iron Ore Prices
Ukrainian iron ore producer Ferrexpo recently reported a 59% increase in its commercial production for H1. This figure, derived by comparing current numbers to the previous six months, has the potential to significantly impact global iron ore prices. Indeed, the total production of pellets and commercial concentrate for the first six months of 2023 came […]
Preparing for 2024 Metal Contract Negotiation Time
Buyers typically renew their annual metal sourcing contracts every year. Doing so helps ensure continuity and stability for ongoing business relationships. One might think, “Sure, sure. I know that. But how should I prepare properly?” After all, the contract negotiation process often proves stressful for even the most savvy metal sourcing professionals. To make matters […]
Collusion or Cooperation? Container Shipping Lines’ Secret Strategy to Sustain Rates Amid Capacity Surge
In recent years, market analysts, considerably widened the parameters they track to assess growth in countries, regions, and globally as far as container shipping goes. In this case, “analysts” includes more than just economists as there is currently a wider community conducting such evaluations. Unlike the past, these individuals now track all kinds of […]
Another Semiconductor Shortage? What to Expect from China’s Restriction on Gallium and Germanium Exports
China’s announced restriction on the export of gallium and germanium goes into effect in August. Both of these elements are vital to the microchip industry. Many worry that the move will lead to another major semiconductor shortage. As per the new rule, export of these strategic metals now requires Beijing’s permission. Exporters violating the rule […]