This morning in metals news: U.S. steel capacity utilization reached 85.2% for the week ending Sept. 25; meanwhile, most planned U.S. battery storage additions in the next few years will be paired with solar; and, lastly, unemployment rates in August declined in nearly all metropolitan areas. Steel prices have been rising for over a year, […]
Category: Ferrous Metals
Russia’s 15% export duty hasn’t boosted flat-rolled prices as feared, traders say
Russia’s 15% export duty on steel has not impacted market prices for flat-rolled products, either coming into the European Union or rolled within the 27-member bloc, market participants told MetalMiner. “The Russian [steelmakers] are absorbing it completely,” one trading source said of the export duty. A second trader noted a similar situation. “The export tax […]
Automakers see 2022 steel price contract negotiations looking brutal
Just over a year ago, MetalMiner commented on the acquisition of most of ArcelorMittal USA’s assets by Cleveland-Cliffs (including potential impacts on steel prices). At the time, the MetalMiner analyst team suggested, “The deal strengthens the company’s position in the automotive sector. The company likely controls 60%-65% of exposed auto sheet supply (think steel used […]
US steel imports dip in August; steel prices continue gains
U.S. steel imports totaled an estimated 2.5 million metric tons in August, the Census Bureau reported Friday, as U.S. steel prices continue to post gains. The August total marked a decline from 2.7 million metric tons in July. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying for […]
Evergrande crisis — and China’s property market in general — could have significant impact on metals prices
Anyone following the financial papers cannot have failed to read lurid reports regarding China’s Evergrande construction company, which appears on the brink of collapse. Volatility is the name of the game. Do you have a steel buying strategy that can handle the ups and downs? Chinese markets fall on Evergrande crisis Indeed, stock markets in […]
US steel capacity utilization dips to 84.9%
The U.S. steel capacity utilization rate fell slightly but remained at a healthy 84.9% for the week ending Sept. 18, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported this week. Volatility is the name of the game. Do you have a steel buying strategy that can handle the ups and downs? Steel capacity utilization hits 84.9% […]
Iron ore prices plunge as China curbs steel sector output
Chinese moves to clean up their heavy-polluting industrial sector has triggered a swift collapse in iron ore prices for the first time since July 2020. Prices last Friday and Monday dipped below the $100 per ton mark. According to a draft guideline released on Thursday, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment intends to monitor 64 […]
Record natural gas, resulting power prices cause alarm in Europe’s steel industry
Reports in the media that natural gas prices in the U.K. have more than quadrupled over the last year to highs of 180p per therm from around 40p per therm this time last year are making headlines. This is largely because of the impact on small, startup gas suppliers who have been forced out of […]
Week in Review: Stainless steel boosts nickel; aluminum production rises; commodity ETFs gain momentum
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, including stainless steel consumption’s impact on nickel prices, surging aluminum prices and much more: Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and […]
Construction MMI: Construction spending ticks up, ABI shows growth
The Construction Monthly Metals Index (MMI) picked up by 4.9% for this month’s reading. You want more MetalMiner on your terms. Sign up for weekly email updates here. US construction spending U.S. construction spending reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,568.8 billion in July, the Census Bureau reported earlier this month. The July rate marked […]