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 […]
Category: Macroeconomics
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 […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Precious Metals Prices to Experience More Volatility
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) held its four-month long sideways trend month-over-month. All in all, the index narrowly missed trading flat, only budging down 0.18%. However, numerous factors continue to pull at precious metals prices in general. Gold, for one, appeared to finally be settling down after reaching record highs earlier in […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Bearish as U.S., Mexico Take Action on Chinese Steel
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 4.5% from June to July. Although the pace of declines appeared to slow from the previous month, U.S. flat rolled steel prices remained bearish during June. HRC prices fell nearly 7%, followed by an almost 5% decline in HDG prices and a modest 2% drop in CRC […]
Copper MMI: Copper Prices Bounce On Market Optimism, Chinese Premium
Overall, the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 6.66% from June to July. Following a nearly 5% decline throughout June, copper prices found an at least temporary bottom at the end of the month. Prices rose 4.35% during the first week of July as market signals improved. There are numerous factors affecting copper prices today. […]
Stainless MMI: Bearish Stainless Demand Leads to Steep Discounts
Overall, the Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) reversed to the downside, with a 10.88% drop from June to July. Nickel prices experienced heavy losses during June, securing the title of worst-performing base metal with an over 14% decline. Prices had fallen over 19% from their May 20 peak by early June as they remained in […]
China’s Economic Recovery Stumbles: Industrial Output Disappoints
Clearly, China’s economy is not yet back on the recovery track, as evidenced by the mixed bag of data for May released on Monday. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), industrial production in China saw a 5.6% increase in May 2024 compared to May 2023. However, overall production was also down […]
NASDAQ, S&P 500 and Other U.S. Markets Heat Up for the Start of Summer
Overall, June 2024 financial market conditions showcased significant market stabilization for the global economy. The World Bank’s projection of a 2.6% growth rate for the year signals the first steady market expansion and stabilization period in over three years. This comes despite various uncertainties and adjustments in the market following COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. Market indices […]
Aluminum MMI: Aluminum Prices Drop As Investment Funds Pull Back
Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 4.09% from May to June. Aluminum prices outperformed all other base metals throughout May, with a 5.28% rise. Prices found a peak at their highest level since June 2022 on May 29 before losing all of May’s gains during the first three weeks of June. MetalMiner’s Annual […]