The US steel sector capacity utilization rate ticked up to 77.0% for the week ending Feb. 20, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported. Steel capacity utilization gains US steel production during the week ending Feb. 20 totaled 1.75 million net tons, AISI reported. The total marked a 7.2% year-over-year decline. Furthermore, the weekly […]
Category: Ferrous Metals
Week in Review: Aluminum industry going greener; rare earths chess game; nickel, stainless dynamics
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 the aluminum industry and its efforts to curb emissions, China’s latest foray in the global rare earths chess game and much more: You want more MetalMiner on your terms. […]
Investment banks signal possible start of a commodities super cycle
Investment banks love a super cycle. It spurs irrational investment and sucks in unwary investors. Furthermore, it encourages passive funds to up their allocation, even if only by fractions of a percent. But with some $14 trillion invested in US equities alone, even a modest increase in passive investments into ETFs would reap significant rewards […]
Nucor forecasts Q1 2021 net earnings to best 2008 record
While the first half of 2020 posed significant challenges for metals manufacturers and end users alike, some firms have showed signs of recovery in the ensuing months and into 2021. In the second quarter, steel demand suffered. Automotive manufacturers idled production in North America for a period of about two months last year, beginning in […]
ArcelorMittal steel output drops by one-fifth in 2020
Impacts from the COVID pandemic and asset sales saw ArcelorMittal report a 20.4% decline in its crude steel production in 2020. “The countries worst affected by COVID were the ones that saw drops in their production,” one industry watcher added about lower production at the group’s assets in Europe, Brazil and the United States. ArcelorMittal […]
This Morning in Metals: February 2021 MMI report is out
This morning in metals news: the February 2021 Monthly Metals Index (MMI) report is out; meanwhile, US steel capacity utilization reached 76.9%; and, lastly, Rusal recently announced the acquisition of a German aluminum producer. February 2021 MMI report As regular readers know, we have published all 10 of our Monthly Metals Index (MMI) articles over […]
Nickel Continues to Keep Stainless Prices Up, even as LME stocks rise
Stainless steel producers have been caught in a pincer movement over the last year of rising nickel prices but falling demand. It is a counterintuitive situation until you factor in China’s stainless production. Chinese output rose by 4% in the third quarter of last year compared to the rest of the world, which fell by […]
Week in Review: Biden administration reimposes UAE tariff; copper demand; stainless steel price hikes
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including the Biden administration reimposing a tariff on aluminum from the UAE, copper demand and much more. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers […]
Stainless MMI: Base prices, surcharges continue to increase
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased by 4.5%, as stainless flat rolled base prices continue to move upward due to extended lead times and limited domestic capacity (following a similar trend with steel prices). Stainless steel producers raise prices Stainless steel producers North American Stainless (NAS) and Outokumpu announced price increases effective for February […]
Raw Steels MMI: Section 232 steel tariff upheld after challenge from steel importers
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased for the ninth consecutive month, rising by 0.5% as US steel prices continued to rise. Buying organizations should continue to buy as needed, as prices remain at all-time highs. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying for metal […]