A glimmer of hope for an economic recovery in China has sent the price of copper soaring following a rekindling of interest from investors. On Monday, both zinc and copper prices hit a four-month high on the London Metal Exchange. In fact, copper prices rose on both the LME and the Shanghai Futures Exchange. Three-month […]
Category: Macroeconomics
How Black Swan Events Impact Metal Sourcing. What Can Companies Do to Protect Their Bottom Line?
If you’ve been in the metal procurement game long enough, you’ve likely encountered unanticipated market shocks. These rare occurrences, known as “Black Swan events,” hit hard, leaving devastating consequences in their wake. From global pandemics to geopolitical conflicts, Black Swan events can cripple industrial metal markets, forcing companies to scramble to source critical materials and […]
Copper MMI: New Trends Impacting Sideways Copper Prices in 2025
Overall, the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with a 1.49% rise from August to September. Following roughly two months of declines, the price of copper stabilized during August after they found a bottom on August 8. Prices saw a modest rebound following rate cut cues from the Fed. However, the rally proved short-lived, […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Precious Metal Prices Witness Bullish Momentum
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) showed some bullish momentum month-over-month, rising by 3.74%. Except for platinum, all precious metals prices saw increases. This uptick in movement was mainly thanks to the anticipation of interest rate cuts. The USDX (U.S. Dollar Index) also weakened slightly month-over-month, which offered prices more bullish pressure. With […]
Construction MMI: Steel Prices Dip Further with Ongoing Steel Demand Weakness Within China
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) broke further out of its sideways trend, dipping by 3.61%. The main culprits driving the index down month-over-month were falling steel rebar and h-beam steel prices, compelled by weak domestic demand within China. With China’s property sector not anticipated to strengthen in the short term, steel prices could continue […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Gold Prices Continue to Fly High, but for How Long?
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) narrowly missed trading flat, only budging down a mere 0.01%. Precious metals prices experienced an array of volatility in both directions, which held the overall index firmly in a sideways trend. Gold prices continue to rise while other precious metals like palladium and silver dropped (price trends […]
Copper MMI: Mining Resumption, China Pose Risk to Copper Prices
Overall, the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 4.56% from July to August. Aside from a short-lived rise at the start of July, copper prices today remain in a downtrend, with prices falling 5.76% from the previous month. Prices did manage to rebound in August, although not enough to signal a trend reversal. (Follow copper […]
Construction MMI: US Manufacturing Boom or US Manufacturing Recession?
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) finally broke free of its year-long sideways trend, but only slightly. All in all, price action moved down by 3.52%, adding to questions about the state of US manufacturing. Iron ore, h-beam, and steel rebar prices dropping were the main components driving the index down. In general, numerous factors […]
Rare Earths MMI: China’s Metal Demand Weakens: What It Means for U.S. Rare Earth Buyers
The bears continued to make their way into the Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index), with yet another drop in price action, this time by 6.93%. Many factors pulled at rare earths prices overall, including oversupply, weak demand for metals within China and shifting dynamics in global rare earths supplies. It seems China’s over-production of […]
Global Steel Prices Plunge as China Floods Market with Excess Supply
Would it be an exaggeration to say that the world’s steel narrative is unfolding in China? Everywhere one looks, there are steel industry experts complaining about Chinese steelmakers unloading their excess steel products. Take this report published at nikkei.com, which predicts that China could end the calendar year with a record-high export total, somewhere over […]
