This morning in metals news, the extension of pollution-curbing efforts in China is offering a boost to iron ore and steel futures, an Australian steel company is nervous about the possibility of Section 232-related steel tariffs from the U.S., and Mexico fined a steel company for stock manipulation. Need buying strategies for steel? Try two […]
Category: Ferrous Metals
This Morning in Metals: U.S. Dept. of Defense Backs Targeted Steel, Aluminum Tariffs
This morning in metals news, the U.S. Department of Defense recently indicated it would prefer targeted tariffs as opposed to a blanket strategy, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will press President Donald Trump on an assurance last year that Australia would be exempted and London copper is down for the week. Buying Aluminum in 2018? […]
This Morning in Metals News: Nickel, Zinc Hit More Than 1-Week Lows
This morning in metals, zinc and nickel dropped to their lowest prices in over a week, another country hints at retaliation vis-a-vis potential U.S. Section 232 tariffs and Chinese steel mills are looking to increase output before future cuts take hold.Need buying strategies for steel? Try two free months of MetalMiner’s Outlook Nickel, Zinc Post […]
This Morning in Metals: Chinese Scrap Steel Exports Jump in 2017
This morning in metals news, China’s scrap steel exports surged last year, two popular American non-metal products could be affected by steel and aluminum tariffs, and a miner of gold and silver looks to get into copper and zinc. Need buying strategies for steel? Try two free months of MetalMiner’s Outlook Chinese Scrap Steel Exports […]
This Morning in Metals: U.S. Raw Steel Production Down 1.9% in Year to Date
This morning in metals news, U.S. raw steel production in the year to date is down 1.9%, South Korea announced it would consider going to the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the Trump administration goes with through with steel tariffs and copper prices slide as the U.S. dollar continues its recovery from last week’s three-year […]
The British Steel Industry is Showing Signs of Recovery
The revival of steel production in mature markets does not need to be all about state aid and protection. Although some would argue the steel industry in the U.K. would not be in the condition it is now if it had state aid and protection in previous decades. Need buying strategies for steel? Try two […]
Is Aluminum Not as Strong as it Should Be?
You may be excused for wondering quite what is happening to the aluminum price. Base metals have continued in a robust rally since the recent volatility knocked prices sideways along with equities and the associated havoc in the bond market. Buying Aluminum in 2018? Download MetalMiner’s free annual price outlook But having fallen, aluminum prices […]
Department of Commerce Releases Section 232 Aluminum, Steel Recommendations
When the Department of Commerce announced last month that Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross had forwarded his Section 232 steel report (and the following week, aluminum) to President Donald Trump, the details of the report were not made public. Section 232 buying strategies – download MetalMiner’s Section 232 Investigation Impact Report today! That changed Friday, […]
European Steel Association Market Overview Bullish on 2018-2019
The European Steel Association’s (EUROFER) recent steel market overview hailed 2017 as an “expansionary” year for the industry while also issuing positive sentiment about 2018 and 2019. Need buying strategies for steel? Try two free months of MetalMiner’s Outlook The overview said apparent steel consumption in Q3 2017 rose 1.1% year over year in the […]
Stainless Steel MMI: LME Nickel Price, Stainless Surcharges Both Rise
The Stainless Steel MMI (Monthly Metals Index) jumped four points again this month for a February reading of 75.
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In January, skyrocketing LME nickel prices drove the Stainless Steel MMI. Nickel prices have climbed above the $13,000/mt level. 304 and 316 surcharges increased this month, returning to their previous levels.
LME Nickel
Nickel prices increased sharply during January. However, prices decreased slightly in early February. As reported previously by MetalMiner, nickel price volatility has increased over the past few months. Therefore, nickel prices may prove quite tumultuous from a short-term perspective and are trading within the orange-dotted band in the chart below.
[caption id="attachment_90272" align="aligncenter" width="580"]
Source: MetalMiner analysis of FastMarkets[/caption]
The long-term nickel price uptrend also remains strong. Prices have moved toward June 2015 levels and already breached our October 2017 long-term resistance levels, as per our Annual Outlook. Therefore, nickel prices remain in a strong uptrend and could continue increasing in the coming months.
Domestic Stainless Steel Market
Following the recovery in stainless steel momentum, domestic stainless steel surcharges increased this month. Surcharges remain above last year’s lows (under $0.4/pound); they remain in an uptrend, even if their pace has slowed. However, buying organizations may want to look at surcharges closely to reduce risks, either via forward buys or hedging.
[caption id="attachment_90273" align="aligncenter" width="580"]
Source: MetalMiner data from MetalMiner IndX(™)[/caption]
FerroChrome vs. Chrome Metal
Two months ago, MetalMiner reported on the anomaly between ferrochrome and chrome metal prices.
[caption id="attachment_90274" align="aligncenter" width="580"]
Source: MetalMiner data from MetalMiner IndX(™)[/caption]
Ferrochrome (FeCr) is a chromium and iron alloy containing 50% to 70% chromium by weight. Historically, Ferrochrome and chrome prices correlate tightly but the high iron ore prices caused ferrochrome to spike. However, both prices (ferrochrome and chrome) have fallen back to their historical trading pattern of moving together.
What This Means for Industrial Buyers
Stainless steel momentum appears in recovery, similar to all the other forms of steel. As both steel and nickel remain in a bull market, buying organizations may want to follow the market closely for opportunities to buy on the dips. To understand how to adapt buying strategies to your specific needs on a monthly basis, take a free trial of our Monthly Outlook now.
MetalMiner’s Annual Outlook provides 2018 buying strategies for carbon steel
Actual Stainless Steel Prices and Trends
