The story of coking coal in 2024, especially its price in global markets, has mainly been “one step forward and one step back.” A raw material essential for steel production, coking coal prices have been under pressure in the last half of 2024 due to sluggish growth in global steel output. Like other raw materials, […]
Category: Global Trade
China’s Export Tax Rebate Shock: The Aluminum Market Faces a New Reality
A much-reported but little-understood development in the aluminum market this month has the potential to significantly alter the supply chain landscape for aluminum semi-finished metals in the year ahead. Beyond that, it could have serious repercussions for the price of aluminum around the globe. As my colleague Nichole already reported, China’s Ministry of Finance canceled […]
Global Markets Brace for Aluminum Bull Run Amid Supply Crunch
Global bauxite and aluminum prices have surged to a five-month high this month, driven by economic growth, growing supply concerns, a dip in the value of the U.S. dollar and the “China factor.” Currently, analysts predict that prices could rise further from current levels. Aluminum prices are currently about 18% higher year-on-year. Even aluminum futures […]
How Will the Incoming Trump Administration Impact Industrial Metal Prices?
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office in January 2025, the industrial metals market is poised for a number of shifts. His proposed policies, particularly concerning tariffs and infrastructure development, are expected to influence metal prices both positively and negatively. Knowledge is key in navigating tariffs and metal market fluctuations. Don’t miss out on […]
Trump’s Return: Will Tariffs and Green Tech Define the Future of HRC Prices?
Big changes seem to be coming for the steel industry in Europe and the U.S. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, recently put forth a masterplan for a new industrial strategy in the 27-member bloc. Mainly the work of former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who now serves as special adviser to […]
Aluminum MMI: End of China Rebates, Alumina Supply Support Aluminum Prices
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) steadied, with a 1.38% rise from October to November. Aluminum prices moved sideways during October. While they only managed a 0.99% rise, aluminum still managed to outperform other base metals during the month. However, prices started to slip by mid-November as they echoed the increasingly bearish trend emerging in […]
Automotive MMI: Automotive Industry Could Face Headwinds from Germany and Incoming Tariffs
The November Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) found slightly more upward momentum than the prior month. While the index remained sideways, price action rose by 2.33%. That said, the US automotive market could witness headwinds from a combination of factors. First, Donald Trump`s win in the US election could mean incoming tariffs that will impact […]
Copper MMI: Copper Prices Sideways After Trump Election
Overall, the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) retraced to the downside, with a 3.56% decline from October to November. After outperforming the base metal category last month, Comex (CME) copper prices found a peak on October 3. This was followed by a modest retracement that saw copper prices fall 5.21% from the close of September. Despite […]
Ukraine’s Iron Comeback: 96% Export Surge in a War-Torn Economy
Ukraine regained some of its mojo since war broke out with Russia almost two years ago, at least as iron ore is concerned. In fact, it is possible this will have significant repercussions for iron ore prices. According to media reports quoting official data from the State Customs Service, Ukraine has exported almost 28 million […]
Myanmar’s Rare Earth Mines Seized by Rebels, Setting Stage for Global Price Spikes
“People are running around the world looking for rare earth elements.” This one sentence in the South China Morning Post, quoting James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, sums up the current rare earths situation well. Chin’s comment is even more true following the recent supply disruptions in Myanmar, which caused […]
