It is always a challenge reading markets, whether you look at fundamentals of supply, demand and macro economic developments or whether you are a chartist looking at price trends to see how they compare to previous models, assessing price movement relative to Fibonacci levels and indications from high/low daily pricing data. One issue we repeatedly […]
Category: Ferrous Metals
Week in Review: Aluminum prices move sideways; GM announces rare earth magnet collaboration; copper prices consolidate
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals coverage here on MetalMiner, including coverage of aluminum prices, a General Motors collaboration with MP Materials aimed at developed a fully integrated U.S. rare earth magnet supply chain and much more: See why technical […]
Stainless MMI: Stainless steel market tight, nickel shows volatility
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) held flat this month, while the stainless steel market is tight. Nickel prices appear to have consolidated following the late November spike. As with other base metals, nickel has started to show a high degree of volatility and uncertainty that would suggest a breakout of the current trading range […]
This Morning in Metals: Steel capacity utilization dips to 81.9%, steel prices down
This morning in metals news: steel capacity utilization fell to 81.9%; lead prices have lost ground this month; and, lastly, Liberty Steel announced the restart of its Georgetown, South Carolina plant. During the last MetalMiner webinar of 2021, the MetalMiner team will take a look ahead and overview price predictions for 2022. To attend, sign […]
Construction MMI: YTD construction spending up 7.5%; Nucor to build new rebar micro mill
The Construction Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell by 6.1% for this month’s reading, as U.S. construction spending rose by 7.5% year over year in the first 10 months of the year. MetalMiner is hosting its final webinar of the calendar year tomorrow — Wednesday, Dec. 8 — during which the MetalMiner team will overview price predictions […]
Automotive MMI: Automotive sales remain constrained by limited supply
The Automotive Monthly Metals Index (MMI) dropped by 0.7% for this month’s reading. Stay up to date on MetalMiner with weekly updates – without the sales pitch. US auto sales Ford Motor Co. reported November U.S. sales increased by 5.9% year over year to 158,793 vehicles. Total truck sales increased by 4.6%. Meanwhile, SUV sales […]
NLMK to boost Mill 2000’s capacity by 7% after reheating furnace overhaul
Novolipetsk Iron & Steel (NLMK) is undertaking at its main production site in Russia upgrade work on one of the slab reheating furnaces, which will see hot rolling Mill 2000’s capacity rise by 7%, the steelmaking group said. The planned work will push Mill 2000’s annual rolling capacity up by about to approximately 6.23 million […]
This Morning in Metals: US steel capacity utilization down to 83.2%, steel prices muted
This morning in metals news: the U.S. steel capacity utilization rate fell to 83.2% last week; North American Stainless maintained its stainless steel fuel surcharge; and, lastly, crude oil prices have lost steam this week. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. The MetalMiner team will discuss price predictions for 2022 […]
European HRC prices fall as auto sales slump
Lower auto sales in Europe have put West European hot rolled coil prices under pressure. However, demand from construction is nonetheless helping to support prices for the flat-rolled product. “People want to invest their money into something,” one trader source told MetalMiner. We’re offering timely emails with exclusive analyst commentary and some best practice advice. […]
Global steel production falls 10.6%; steel prices soften but remain elevated
Yesterday, MetalMiner’s Stuart Burns touched on the aluminum market and plummeting inventories, a trend in stark contrast to former times of plenty. Meanwhile, in the steel market, global crude steel production totaled 145.7 million metric tons in October, the World Steel Association reported. Do you know the five best practices of sourcing metals, including steel? […]