The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, rising a modest 0.66%. Meanwhile, prices for rare earths may experience short-term stabilization in the upcoming months, primarily due to President Trump reaching an agreement with China to ease restrictions on critical mineral exports. Track macroeconomic signals, pricing pressure, and supply shifts before they hit your […]
Category: Commodities
Is BYD’s Hungary Plant a Steel Game-Changer for Europe?
Chinese automaker BYD recently appointed Austria’s Voestalpine as its first steel supplier for the planned production plant in Hungary. On June 24, the Linz-headquartered steel industry leader officially announced it will begin supplying autobody and outer-skin components from its rolling mills to BYD’s Szeged plant in Q4 2025. Szeged sits about 180 kilometers south of […]
Steel Wars: China Floods Russia with Cheap Metal as Sanctions Cripple Kremlin Mills
Ongoing geopolitical conflicts, including one active war, combined with market instability, declining steel demand in certain global regions and a rise in protective tariffs on exporting nations, have all come together to force some steel-producing countries, including China, to reassess and refocus their steel industry supply chains. Faced with weak domestic steel demand due to […]
Steel Giant Bows Out: Who’s Taking Over Bosnia’s Mills?
ArcelorMittal recently announced the sale of its steel plant as well as its stake in its iron ore mine in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with news reporting stating that the steel industry giant will unload the plant to Bosnian industrial conglomerate Pavgord Group. According to the details of the deal, Pavgord Group will acquire the longs […]
Can a $673M Railway Deal Keep British Steel on “Track?”
British Steel has secured a 5-year agreement to supply rail to Network Rail, the infrastructure manager of the UK’s rail network. Under the tenets of the deal, the steelmaker will provide 70,000 to 80,000 metric tons per year. In a June 17 statement, British Steel reported that the contract is worth £500 million (almost $673 […]
Is Russia About to Hijack the Western Hemisphere’s Energy Game from Right Under the U.S.’ Nose?
Amidst the tariff wars, are we about to see the birth of new energy dynamics in the Americas? A few days ago, Russia offered to supply liquefied natural gas to the United States’ neighbor, Mexico. Because of the strategic, economic and geopolitical implications, the move quickly made sector analysts sit up and take note Media […]
Is the Israel-Iran Conflict Just a Warm-Up for an Energy Crisis?
It’s fair to say the Israel Iran conflict has barely dented the gains global stock markets made back in May. Yes, there was a sharp sell-off when hostilities first began. However, markets quickly rebounded, with only those stocks most exposed to international trade still feeling the effects. Unsurprisingly, oil prices have shown more volatility. They […]
Steel Titans: Who’s Up and Who’s ‘Melting Down’?
According to the World Steel Association (worldsteel), one of the leading providers of steel market information, the China Baowu Group was the largest steelmaker group in 2024, with production remaining stable on the year. In its June 5 report, titled “2025 World Steel in Figures,” worldsteel stated that the Shanghai-headquartered company poured just over 130 […]
Nickel’s Critical Role in Stainless Steel and EV Batteries
Nickel plays a vital role in producing stainless steel and powering electric vehicle batteries. In recent years, the metal’s close ties to the burgeoning electric vehicle market have helped push it into the global spotlight. However, rapid shifts in demand, supply and pricing have created both challenges and opportunities in the nickel sector, depending on […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Prices See Rally & Gold Close to New Highs
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) saw a strong rally from mid-May to mid-June. Precious metals prices like gold, silver, platinum and palladium all climbed on a potent mix of safe-haven investment flows and robust industrial demand. Geopolitical tensions, notably the recent flare-up in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, have only […]