New China tariffs may soon change the country’s steel market tactics. China continues to sit on a stockpile of steel, and it has no idea what to do with most of it. The exception, however, seems to be dumping it into foreign markets for cheap under the guise of “exportation.” China remains unable to use […]
Category: Global Trade
LME’s Russian Metal Ban Shifts Global Metal Trade Dynamics
China will undoubtedly become an even more significant buyer of Russian metals following the London Metal Exchange’s ban on newly produced Russian aluminum, copper, and nickel. China has already evolved into a major market for Russian-made products following dwindling demand in the West, and these new Russian sanctions will likely only further cement that position. […]
Stainless MMI: Nickel Prices Retrace Amid Slow Stainless Market
Nickel prices continued to the upside during the first half of March, taking a momentary pause from their long-term downtrend. However, prices found a peak by March 13, reaching their highest level since October 2023. Following that, the rally collapsed, and prices returned to the downside. Overall, nickel prices fell 5.56% month over month. The […]
Rare Earths MMI: Have Rare Earth Prices Finally Found a Bottom?
Month over month, rare earth metals witnessed new price lows not seen since September 2020. While neodymium oxide and praseodymium oxide witnessed the sharpest drop out of all of the components of the Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index), the index fell by 5.08% overall. But with price points nearing pre-pandemic lows, the index may […]
Iron Ore Price Drops to 10-Month Low Before Recovering
The fear expressed by institutional analysts at the start of the year that 2024 will see some degree of volatility on the iron ore price front seems to be coming true. On April 1, the beginning of the second fiscal quarter, iron ore prices fell to a ten-month low. Costs for the raw steel-making material […]
Australia’s Biggest Challenges Lie Ahead for Iron Ore Production
Australia’s iron ore industry faces a major challenge, and if the country does not take corrective course action soon, it risks losing its position as the largest exporter of iron ore. This would have a significant impact on the nation’s industry, and its ability to affect the iron ore price. The challenge is the “changing […]
Experts Predict Nickel Prices Will Continue to Drop in 2024
Will there be a rebound in Chinese nickel purchases in 2024? Furthermore, will it serve to bolster the market in the near term? Following a lengthy period of de-stocking last year, these are just some of the questions with implications for the global nickel price. As the world moves toward cleaner energy sources, certain minerals […]
Aluminum MMI: Aluminum Prices Rise As China Output Slows
Aluminum prices remain entrenched within a sideways trend. Following a 2.78% month-over-month decline in February, prices retraced throughout the first three weeks of March to where they currently stand: 2.17% above their February close. Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with a 2.36% decline from February to March. AI vastly improves your […]
Guinea Approves Simandou Iron Ore Mining Project, Cementing Future Growth
The West African state of Guinea recently approved a joint development deal between the government, Rio Tinto/Simfer, and the Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) consortia to develop the Simandou iron ore mining project. The National Transition Council (NTC), Guinea’s legislative body under the interim regime, announced the deal’s approval on February 3. “In short, this agreement […]
Rare Earths MMI: Is China Moving Down the Rare Earths Totem Poll?
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) experienced a pretty significant drop month-on-month, falling 24.73%. Save for cerium oxide, all components of the index either fell or moved sideways. Weaker than anticipated downstream demand ended up hitting certain metals related to rare earth magnets particularly hard, causing a plummet in the index. Another significant factor […]
