After a long stretch of weekly increases, the U.S. steel sector’s capacity utilization rate fell last week. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), U.S. steel mills produced at a capacity utilization rate of 61.7% for the week ending Aug. 29. The rate marked a decline from the 63.0% recorded for the week […]
Category: Ferrous Metals
This Morning in Metals: SHFE copper heads for fifth consecutive monthly rise
This morning in metals news: copper on the SHFE is headed for its fifth straight month of price increases; a Swedish joint venture is ramping up its efforts toward producing fossil-fuel-free steel; and Mexico is instituting a new export pre-approval process to avoid reimposition of steel tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump. Do you know […]
This Morning in Metals: China picks up steel buying from India
This morning in metals news: China’s steel purchases from neighbor India have jumped this year; Japan’s Nippon Steel is wary of China’s steel dominance; and the U.S. trade deficit in goods increased in July. You want more MetalMiner on your terms. Choose how often you hear from us – weekly, monthly, or quarterly – by […]
Ironically, China has briefly become the home for unwanted global overproduction
China became a net importer of steel for the second consecutive month in July. This happened despite its crude steel production rising 9% year on year and demand from infrastructure and construction remaining subdued. Are you prepared for your annual steel contract negotiations? Be sure to check out our 5 best practices. Demand drivers Several […]
This Morning in Metals: U.S. steel imports down 19%
This morning in metals news: U.S. steel imports for the year through July fell 19%; Zambia is looking to take over Glencore copper mines in the country; and Brazil’s Vale has opened an iron ore grinding hub in China. We’re offering timely emails with exclusive analyst commentary and some best practice advice – and you […]
U.S. steel imports surge in July, powered by surge from blooms, billets and slabs
U.S. steel imports picked up in July, the U.S. Census Bureau reported in its monthly steel import data release today. U.S. imports of steel reached an estimated 2.4 million metric tons in July, nearly doubling the 1.3 million metric tons imported the previous month. Are you prepared for your annual steel contract negotiations? Be sure […]
This Morning in Metals: Nevada Copper restarts production at Pumpkin Hollow
This morning in metals news: Nevada Copper announced it had restarted production at its underground Pumpkin Hollow mine; zinc prices have received a boost from surging Chinese steel demand; and Norsk Hydro last week announced the suspension of operation of the Paragominas-to-Alunorte bauxite pipeline. We’re offering timely emails with exclusive analyst commentary and some best […]
World Steel Association: Global steel output drops 2.5% in July
Despite China’s ramping up of its steel output, global steel output declined in July 2020. According to the most recent reporting from the World Steel Association, global crude steel production fell 2.5% in July on a year over year basis. Production for the month totaled 152.7 million metric tons, according to the World Steel Association. […]
China’s relentless march to global stainless steel dominance
The headline sounds somewhat melodramatic. But the numbers laid out in the World Bureau of Metal Statistics’s annual stainless steel report suggest the reality is not far from it. Upcoming negotiation on your stainless steel buy? Make sure you know how your service centers will negotiate with you. Domination of the stainless sector Asia in […]
Week in Review: MMI Week; housing starts; price support for zinc, copper, lead
This week, we wrapped up our Monthly Metals Index (MMI) series for the month, including coverage of the renewables sector, stainless steel surcharges and steel demand in China. Furthermore, MetalMiner’s Stuart Burns delved into supply-side impacts on lead, copper and zinc. In other economic indicators, U.S. housing starts surged in July — a bright spot […]