All available indicators at the start of 2025 show that iron ore prices will likely remain subdued in the new year. According to the latest data, the supply side will remain strong. However, steel demand does not look very good – at least for now. BMI, a research agency under Fitch Solutions, was quoted in […]
Category: Exports
China’s Export Tax Rebate Shock: The Aluminum Market Faces a New Reality
A much-reported but little-understood development in the aluminum market this month has the potential to significantly alter the supply chain landscape for aluminum semi-finished metals in the year ahead. Beyond that, it could have serious repercussions for the price of aluminum around the globe. As my colleague Nichole already reported, China’s Ministry of Finance canceled […]
Trump’s Return: Will Tariffs and Green Tech Define the Future of HRC Prices?
Big changes seem to be coming for the steel industry in Europe and the U.S. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, recently put forth a masterplan for a new industrial strategy in the 27-member bloc. Mainly the work of former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who now serves as special adviser to […]
Surging Exports and Stimulus Gains: Is China’s Steel Recovery Sustainable?
Are we seeing the first offshoots of a recovery in China’s steel industry? Some media outlets report that Chinese steel output turned positive for the first time in four months. This comes in the wake of the government’s efforts to restart the domestic economy, coupled with an improvement in demand for steel. In late September, […]
China’s Economic Struggles: Why Cutting Rates Isn’t Enough to Boost Steel Demand
No matter the type or amount of stimuli put in by the Chinese Government, the country’s economy is just not getting back into revival mode. Meanwhile, China’s beleaguered steel industry continues to suffer. As part of efforts to boost economic growth, China cut down its benchmark lending rates after the apex bank lowered interest rates […]
Rare Earths MMI: China’s Rare Earths Restrictions in Full Effect
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) witnessed another sharp rise in price action month-over-month, this time increasing by 8.33%. The main culprit behind the bullish momentum was China’s rare earths export restriction, which officially went into effect on October 1. The rare earths market could continue to experience volatility with the new restrictions in […]
Copper MMI: Mining Resumption, China Pose Risk to Copper Prices
Overall, the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 4.56% from July to August. Aside from a short-lived rise at the start of July, copper prices today remain in a downtrend, with prices falling 5.76% from the previous month. Prices did manage to rebound in August, although not enough to signal a trend reversal. (Follow copper […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Bearish as U.S., Mexico Take Action on Chinese Steel
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 4.5% from June to July. Although the pace of declines appeared to slow from the previous month, U.S. flat rolled steel prices remained bearish during June. HRC prices fell nearly 7%, followed by an almost 5% decline in HDG prices and a modest 2% drop in CRC […]
Automotive MMI: Automakers Hit the Brakes on Electric Vehicle Investments
Month over month, the Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) failed to break very far outside of its year-long sideways trend. All in all, the index dropped by 4.23% Numerous factors tugged the index down month-over-month, including slowing electric vehicle production. Another pressing matter putting pressure on the automotive market is China implementing further restrictions on […]
Rare Earths MMI: What China Further Tightening Rare Earths Means for the U.S.
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) took a steep dive in price action after a month of relative stability, dropping 14.4%. Terbium (both metal and oxide) yanked the index down tremendously, falling more than 16%. However, the rare earths index could yet experience some rebound from now until October, when China’s recent set of […]
