Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways, with a 2.03% rise from March to April. Aluminum prices outperformed all base metals throughout March, with a 4.71% rise from the close of February. Prices continued their rally throughout April, hitting their highest level since February 2023 by April 8. Aluminum Prices Chase 2023 Highs […]
Category: Macroeconomics
Construction MMI: Manufacturing Boom Helping Industrial Metal Demand, Construction Delays Hurting It
Month-over-month, the Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways for the fourth month in a row, only sliding down a slight 2.87%. Of all industrial metals, iron ore suffered the worst drop in price by far, hitting a 10-month low before a slight rebound. The main component holding the index up was aluminum 1050 sheet […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Flatten, Is an Uptrend Next?
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with a modest 1.38% decline in steel prices from March to April. U.S. flat rolled steel prices continued to trade down throughout March. Meanwhile, HRC prices fell 8.35% to close the month at a new lower low. However, hot rolled coil prices traded up during the […]
Subdued Market Reaction So Far to China’s Targeted 2024 Growth Rate
Investors, traders, and the metals community continue to anticipate fresh stimulus measures from China’s top leaders, which could potentially kickstart economic growth, increase metals consumption, and affect metal prices. However, they remain rather disappointed with Beijing’s target 5% growth for 2024. Moreover, demand has remained subdued since the Lunar New Year holiday. Almost everyone was […]
Copper MMI: Copper Prices Rise to Highest Level Since April Amid Supply Concern
By mid-March, copper prices hit their highest level since April 2023. Prices previously found a bottom in early February before strong upside momentum saw them topple previous peaks within their long-term sideways trend. While prices clocked a moderate1.74% month-over-month decline throughout February, they rose 4.12% during the first two weeks of March. Overall, the Copper […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Gold Sees a Strong Rally
Once again, the Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) failed to exhibit strong bearish or bullish pressure. The index remained sideways throughout February, budging down a mere 0.65%. Despite this, some bullish pressure did seep into precious metal prices at the beginning of March, when numerous precious metals began to rally. Gold prices, in […]
European Aluminum Industry Faces Existential Threats
The European aluminum manufacturing industry is under attack from two short- and medium-term threats, both of which have the potential to significantly impact aluminum consumers across the region. Threat #1: Potential Russian Aluminum Ban, Aluminum Manufacturing Shortage The first threat is the widely debated possibility of the EU banning Russian aluminum. While the UK has […]
Geopolitical Tensions and Dollar Strength: Uncertainty Looms in Light of February Markets
The start of the new year presented mixed signals for the global economy and overall financial markets. An optimistic government outlook and positive US economic data initially fueled enthusiasm and anticipation for future developments. However, interest rate fears, rising geopolitical tensions, and concerns regarding future economic growth overshadowed many of these positive perspectives. This resulted in […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Precious Metal Prices Edge Further Down Month-on-Month
After almost a year of sideways movement, the Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) broke its trend, declining by 4.71%. Despite the break in sideways movement for precious metal prices as a whole, most individual commodities still lack strong bullish or bearish movement as they move through Q1. Most gold and other precious metals […]
Construction MMI: U.S. Construction Industry Enters 2024 Lacking Skilled Craftsman
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved in a relatively sideways trend, only budging up 0.65%. Steel prices continuing to flatten out, along with bar fuel surcharges dipping in price, kept the index from breaking out of the sideways movement we’ve witnessed since December. As the index enters 2024, U.S. construction news continues to focus […]