According to the latest metal news, the London Metal Exchange (LME) is in a quandary over how to handle metal supply from “sanctioned” Russia. Their frustrations continue to be enhanced by the fact that some nations, led by China, remain interested in buying up Russian stock. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, formal and voluntary sanctions […]
Category: Global Trade
Metal Price Trends: Tin May Rebound, While Zinc Could Experience Additional Declines
Since the beginning of 2022, tin prices have steadily declined. Indeed, such was the case for many metal prices after the March peak. However, it’s possible tin could see a reversal in the long term. As it begins to reach lower support ranges indicated by September 2020’s low, we could see tin start to push […]
Global Natural Gas Competition Gets Fierce
Both experts and everyday consumers remain at odds about the current state of the global natural gas market. The main point of contention is whether US prices will drop significantly or rise further. With inflation hitting record highs this past year, nobody can blame consumers for being wary. Most experts agree that gas prices and demand […]
The Microchip Craze – Supply Shortages, Sources, Materials and Imports
Microchips, along with their parts and components have become a huge part of modern life. They’re used in computers, machinery, phones and many other electronics and appliances we use on a daily basis. Of course, various metal parts and components are integral to the manufacturing of these microchips. How has the microchip industry been impacted […]
Construction MMI: China Property Crisis Dominos into Industrial Metal
This month, the Construction MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) dropped yet again. However, it declined slightly less than those seen in previous months. Altogether, the index is down 4.60%. Industrial metal, in general, continues to struggle due to China’s COVID lockdowns and supply chain issues. The best way to track industrial metal prices is to sign […]
Gas Shortage: The Ramifications of Russian Oil and Gas Cutoffs
It’s no secret that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a massive global impact. From the sanctions to the natural gas supply cutoffs, the economic toll is both catastrophic and far from over. Currently, economists and other experts are trying to predict how different parts of the world will react to the gas shortage. So […]
Russia, Ukraine, and the “New Normal” of Global Steel Supply
Steel prices have waxed and waned more than usual this past year. MetalMiner has reported extensively on all of the various factors contributing to this unpredictability. Of course, you can’t ignore China’s rolling COVID lockdowns or the year-long supply chain hangups. However, we feel one of the biggest X factors for the global steel supply […]
China Creates New Centralized Company to Tackle Global Iron Ore Market
It’s no secret that China believes in the concentration of power. However, that philosophy extends far beyond governance. It also dramatically affects the way the country does business. For instance, earlier this week, we saw the inauguration of the state-owned and centrally administered China Mineral Resources Group. Many mining companies perceive the move as China […]
Significant Decline in LME Stock Levels Brings Commodity Markets into the Spotlight
MetalMiner follows the LME (London Metal Exchange) very closely, as it remains the largest commodities exchange for base metal options and futures. Recently, we mentioned how the LME had quietly withdrawn its precious metals contracts due to low liquidity. However, that’s only part of the story when it comes to dwindling LME stock. Both LME […]
Aluminum Prices: Is China Turning on the Stimulus Taps?
It is not an idle question. For the last two decades, China’s infrastructure spending has been the engine of demand growth for steel, copper, and aluminum prices. So when the South China Morning Post reported that local governments sold 1.94 trillion yuan (US$289 billion) worth of bonds in June to fund infrastructure spending and boost […]
