The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) edged higher, but the pace slowed. Ultimately, the index saw just a 0.85% rise from July to August as the price of aluminum seemed to enter a period of flux. Track other MetalMiner monthly indexes here, and compare how the overall industrial metal market is performing. Midwest Premium Futures […]
Category: Metal Prices
Copper MMI: LME, Comex Copper Prices Return to Parity, Later Tariffs on Table
The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, rising 1.18% from July to August. This puts the price of copper today just slightly above its April lows. Comex Copper Prices Plummet After Tariff Surprise July proved the most volatile month yet for Comex copper prices. As market surprises often do, the White House’s decision […]
Copper Tariff U-Turn Sends Both Relief, and Shockwaves Through U.S. Supply Chains
In an 11th-hour reversal, the White House has exempted refined copper products, including cathodes, scrap and concentrates, from a looming 50% import tariff. Effective August 1, 2025, copper tariffs will only apply to semi-finished copper goods The surprise exemption caught metal markets off guard and sent U.S. copper prices into freefall. COMEX copper futures plunged […]
Aluminum Prices Continue to Hold Steady Amid Global Supply Constraints and Infrastructure Push
Recent movements in aluminum prices show the metal holding strong despite global economic shifts and region-specific challenges in extraction and refining operations. On July 25, aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange climbed to a four-month high, ending the week at US $2,656.5 and US $2,657 per ton, an increase of $10.5 or 0.39%. According […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Precious Metals Prices Rise as U.S. Buyers Brace for Volatility
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) rose by 6.18% month-over-month. The past 30 days have seen precious metals prices climb steadily, underscoring a volatile commodities environment for U.S. manufacturers and metal buyers. Gold remains near record highs, while silver, platinum and palladium each enjoyed strong rallies from mid-June to late July. These moves […]
European Steel Prices Slide, But Will They Stay There?
Sources tell MetalMiner that lower seasonal demand has continued to push hot-rolled coil prices down in northern Europe since late June. In terms of steel prices, this means that mills are now quoting €540–550 ($625–640) per metric ton ex-works for August rolling and September delivery, down from €570 ($660) reported on June 23. It is […]
Construction MMI: Tariffs Set to Drive Up Metal Costs as U.S. Construction Still Grapples with High Interest Rates
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) traded flat month-over-month, with no noteworthy price movement in either direction. Meanwhile, the U.S. construction industry is bracing for fallout from a new round of tariffs on key building materials. Industry groups warn that these tariffs, alongside persistently high interest rates, threaten to squeeze project budgets. Missing out on […]
Aluminum MMI: MW Premium Finds New High
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways with an upside bias. Overall, the index rose 1.99% from June to July as aluminum prices slowed their ascent. Track other MetalMiner monthly indexes here, and compare how the overall industrial metal market is performing. Midwest Premium Returns to the Upside Stabilization proved temporary for aluminum’s Midwest […]
Stainless MMI: Mills Secure Price Increases Despite Weak Demand
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, but the downside bias continued. Overall, the index fell 0.9% from June to July. Meanwhile, nickel prices continued their slow slide downward. Mill Price Hikes Hold June brought in a wave of price hikes from U.S. mills. NAS led the market, issuing possibly its largest ever increase […]
Automotive MMI: Trump’s 50% Copper Tariff Sends Shock Through Auto Supply Chains
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, inching up by 2.29%. While the index has maintained a mostly sideways trend over the past year, short-term volatility may be on the way. President Trump recently announced a 50% tariff on imported copper, a move expected to impact U.S. automotive manufacturing firms that source the red […]