The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 5.82% from January to February as the nickel price index lost upward momentum. Nickel prices returned sideways in the short term after finding a peak in January. Since the price has not bounced high enough to confirm an uptrend, downside risk may increase. Meanwhile, volume levels appear at […]
Category: Ferro Alloys
Grain Oriented Electrical Steel Demand Expected to Keep Growing
No matter where in the world you go and what energy source you’re using, energy transfer requires transformers. Be it a nuclear power facility, a power plant running on natural gas, a wind field, or a plant running on hydropower. The energy generated in these facilities cannot light up homes, businesses, and schools without transformers. […]
Is the LME’s Role as the Go-to-Price Point for Nickel Over?
Doomsters have predicted the end of the LME before. Still, after 146 years and counting, the LME is still with us and the go-to nickel price point. However, volumes have tanked since the LME nickel debacle in March of 2022. In fact, the problems no longer relate just to nickel, but the entire non-ferrous metals […]
Stainless MMI: Nickel Prices Pull Back as Downside Risk Mounts
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 14.58% from December to January as nickel prices retreated. Nickel prices continued to rally throughout December. But by January, prices began to show minor pullbacks that could become the beginning of a short-term sideways trend. Until prices break the new range, the market direction will remain unclear. Market […]
2022 Stainless Steel and Nickel Price Trends
Stainless and nickel price trends fluctuated much more than carbon steel throughout 2022. The LME nickel squeeze greatly strained both the nickel and stainless steel markets. Indeed, LME nickel prices skyrocketed by almost $25,000 per metric ton back in March. Soon after, the rally cooled down again, eventually bottoming out in July. Come November, prices […]
Stainless MMI: Reduced Stainless Imports Could Cause Shortages, Bullish Nickel Price
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved up with a 7.32% rise from November to December. Meanwhile, the nickel price index appeared decidedly bullish throughout the month. While nickel prices modestly retraced from their early month rally, upside price action continued to support the short-term range breakout. Sustained increases should foster further bullish anticipation, which […]
Mastering Metal Prices: 5 Sourcing Strategies That Only Pros Know
“It is a fact researchers have settled on – the 10,000-hour rule is a definite key in success.”– Malcolm Gladwell, ‘Outliers.’ For those of you who have not read Gladwell’s “Outliers,” no worries. Essentially, the key theme of the book involves the concept of practice. It states that those who dedicate 10,000 hours or more […]
Conditions Ripe for a Nickel Price Squeeze
The recent rise in aluminum, copper, and nickel price have created some short-term uncertainty as companies finalize their long-term contracts for 2023. Earlier this month, all three metals rose on the back of rumors that China might begin easing zero-COVID restrictions. In addition, the USD index has dropped from its September peak of 114. As […]
Stainless Steel MMI: Supplier Inventories High & Nickel Starts Rally
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways with a modest 1.41% decline from October to November. All in all, the stainless steel price movement primarily reacted to volatility in nickel trading. Nickel held historically low volume levels over recent months, while nickel prices remained within their short-term range. By November, however, prices began to […]
Stainless MMI: Nickel Prices Down After Bullish Month
By: Nichole Bastin and Katie Benchina Olsen The Stainless Steel Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 3.35% from September to October. Last month, nickel prices traded up with a strong rebound during the first three weeks. However, prices soon fell back within range. These declines continued until the opening days of October, with prices mainly remaining […]
