Bulls are pointing to the surging metals prices as evidence a supercycle is alive and well. However, no one but a snake oil salesman would suggest that what we are seeing is anything healthy. The 10-year commodities boom seen earlier this century, for example, was driven by rapid industrialization in China, a long-term expansion that […]
Category: Commodities
Week in Review: Global steel demand; aluminum alloys; store-of-value assets
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals storylines here on MetalMiner: Stay up to date on MetalMiner with weekly updates – without the sales pitch. Sign up now. Week of Oct. 18-22 (steel demand, aluminum alloys and more) Stuart Burns checked […]
This Morning in Metals: Copper prices continue October surge
This morning in metals news: copper prices have surged this month; median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers are up; and WTI crude oil prices have ticked up since last week. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and sign up for each on the […]
This Morning in Metals: Steel demand to rise 4.5%, World Steel Association forecasts
This morning in metals news: the World Steel Association forecast steel demand to rise by 4.5% this year; U.S. import prices increased in September; and, lastly, the Energy Information Administration forecasts U.S. coal-fired electricity generation will increase this year for the first time since 2014. Are you under pressure to generate steel cost savings? Make […]
Week in Review: Aluminum prices remain elevated; power costs weigh on metals producers; IEA releases World Energy Outlook
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including aluminum prices, rising power costs and much more: Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and sign up for each on the MetalMiner […]
Soaring European power costs force cutbacks in metals output
It was only a matter of time, as a fourfold increase in power costs for some heavy consumers, on top of environmental carbon emissions levies, have finally proved too much for some European metals producers. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and sign up for each […]
This Morning in Metals: Natural gas prices to remain elevated this winter
This morning in metals news: the Energy Information Administration forecasts natural gas prices will remain elevated this winter; meanwhile, Rio Tinto said it is working on new technology for the production of low-carbon steel; and, lastly, miner BHP and South Korean steelmaker POSCO signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the reduction of greenhouse gas […]
This Morning in Metals: Consumer Price Index rises 0.4% in September
This morning in metals news: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.4% in September; meanwhile, U.S. steel capacity utilization fell to 84.2%; and, lastly, the Energy Information Administration forecasts U.S. households will spend more on energy this winter. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and […]
Chinese iron ore prices rising strongly again despite property market fears
Chinese iron ore prices have certainly been on a roller coaster ride this year, hitting a record high in value terms after a period in which the price had risen and fallen sharply. Futures on the Dalian exchange for delivery in January 2022 are now trading at RMB 777 per ton. That compares with about […]
This Morning in Metals: Job openings, hires decline in August
This morning in metals news: job openings and new hires fell in August, the Census Bureau reported; steel producers in the U.K. are warning of an energy-related crisis; and, lastly, Liberty Steel received a £50 million boost that it says will preserve about 660 jobs. Stay up to date on MetalMiner with weekly updates – […]