This morning in metals news, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported prices of U.S. imports increased in May, Alcoa will begin the formal process of dismissing employees at the San Ciprián aluminum smelter, and India wants its oil and gas producers to use more domestically produced steel.
Category: Metal Prices
Chinese aluminum semi-finished product exports continue to fall
As we predicted last week, the LME to SHFE arbitrage window has closed. Investors were unlikely to leave that open for long and the resulting inflow of half a million tons of aluminum in May no doubt contributed to a narrowing of the delta.
Stainless MMI: LME nickel prices grow for second consecutive month
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) held flat this month.
Renewables/GOES MMI: Central U.S. sets spring wind power generation records
The Renewables Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 2.1% this month. (Editor’s Note: This report also includes coverage of grain-oriented electrical steel.)
Week in Review: Haulage faces roadblocks; copper rallies; Chinese steel demand recovers
Let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals storylines here on MetalMiner:
Raw Steels MMI: Index climbs 4.7% as Chinese demand grows
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased by nearly 4.7% this month. High expectations for steel demand recovery In late March, steel demand was hit hard by the decline in automotive sales amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As automakers began to restart their operations in early May, steel prices have seen some slight improvement, as […]
This Morning in Metals: Federal Reserve maintains federal funds rate at 0-0.25%
This morning in metals news, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday opted to maintain the federal fund interest rate at 0-0.25%, the Producer Price Index for final demand rose 0.4% in May and Chinese rebar futures fell Thursday.
Aluminum MMI: Aluminum price climbs despite overwhelming supply
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased by nearly 1.4% this month.
World Steel Association forecasts 18% decline in Indian steel demand
Various agencies have pegged the contraction of Indian steel demand to come in anywhere between 14-18%. A new report by the World Steel Association has said India’s steel demand would fall by 18% in 2020, even as global steel demand was expected to drop to 6.4% because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Financial Express reported.
Europe’s steel industry faces an unprecedented threat
President Donald Trump had scant regard, nor interest, in the impact his decision in 2018 to impose 25% import duties on steel products would have on other markets around the world — his focus was, reasonably enough, purely on the U.S.