Dubbed “white gold,” lithium is immense valuable in the modern world. Though lithium prices dropped dramatically from the highs achieved in late 2022, China still dominates the lithium supply chain. This continues to spur on multiple countries looking to lay their hands on this valuable metal. Lithium is a critical component in rechargeable batteries for […]
Category: Inventory Stock Levels
Rare Earths MMI: Rare Earth Prices Stabilize After 6 Months of Drops and May’s Rebound
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) seemed to find some stabilization after six months of dropping followed by a brief rebound in May. Overall, the index moved sideways, rising by just 2.11%. Meanwhile, prices for rare earth elements continue to pull in both directions due to a number of factors. Issues like ongoing supply […]
Copper MMI: Risks to the Copper Price Uptrend
Overall, the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 17.36% from April to May. The copper price uptrend accelerated throughout April. Bullish momentum saw prices surge nearly 14% from the close of March. By April 29, prices pushed past the $10,000 per metric ton mark. They continued to move even higher by mid-May, with an additional […]
Aluminum MMI: Aluminum Prices Retreat after Failing to Break 2023 High
Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 7.06% from April to May. The aluminum price remained bullish throughout April, rising 11.47% month over month. However, prices found a peak on April 22 when they failed to break above their 2023 high. They then retraced to the downside during the remainder of the month and […]
Automotive MMI: Will Potential Copper Shortages Impact the Automotive Market?
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) broke out of its nearly 6-month-long sideways trend amid several changes in metals prices. Month-over-month, the index rose 5.24%. Except for shredded scrap steel and palladium, most components of the index either moved up or sideways with slight upward movement. With the recent LME and CME ban on Russian […]
Stainless MMI: Mills Post Q1 Results as Nickel Prices Stabilize
Nickel prices followed other base metals up throughout April, with a nearly 15% month-over-month rise. By late April, prices hit their highest level since September, although they subsequently began to retrace as upside momentum cooled. Overall, the Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rebounded, with a 9.58% jump from April to May. Outokumpu, Acerinox Post Q1 […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Sideways Following Mill Price Reporting
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with a modest 1.86% decline from April to May. U.S. flat rolled steel prices found a bottom at the close of March and proceeded to move sideways. HRC prices saw a modest increase, but ultimately closed the month at $838 per short ton. Meanwhile, HRC Midwest […]
Copper Hits Record $10,000 Milestone: Experts Warn of Impending Supply Crisis
It took about 24 months for the price of copper to reach the psychological mark of U.S. $10,000 per metric ton. Three-month copper futures on the London Metal Exchange (LME) touched the $10k mark last week. The last time copper crossed this threshold was in March 2022, when it reached $10,845 per ton in the […]
Copper MMI: Sanctions Hit Copper Market, Volatility Ahead
Copper prices continued their breakout during March, rising 4.25%. Prices then formed a second higher high on March 15, followed by a new higher low on March 27. The rally continued throughout April as prices climbed an additional 7.59%. As of April 15, they stand at their highest level since June 2022. Subscribe to MetalMiner’s […]
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 […]
