Copper prices rebounded sharply after declines in early May. While prices continue to find a bottom on a macro scale, they remain sideways in the short term. As a result, copper has been unable to establish a clear direction, either bullish or bearish.The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell by 2.89% month over month. Copper […]
Category: Metal Prices
Aluminum prices, stock and delivery premiums veer in different directions
So far this year, on LME aluminum trading, inventory levels have directly correlated with price direction. Aluminum demand has outstripped supply causing falling inventory levels, and many assume prices are due to rise, except they’re not. According to a Reuters report, LME inventories fell steadily this year with total inventory down by 479,000 metric tons […]
Construction MMI: Optimism Rises While Indices Decline
The Construction MMI dropped by 9.41% from May into June. The decline comes amid growing optimism about the state of the industry. Even so, talk of recession continues to cast a shadow over the post-COVID economy. U.S. Construction Market Expected to Grow 3% by 2026 Despite the doom and gloom recession talk going on, […]
Automotive MMI: Lower Metals Prices and Slumping Supply Dominate the May Market
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) experienced a slight decline from May into June. The 30-day price change was roughly -9.55, a -6.52% drop. As with last month, multiple crises impacted the marketplace’s overall health. Among them are an ongoing microchip shortage and COVID-19 lockdowns. Below, we’ll discuss if and when we can expect normalization. […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel prices continue to drop
U.S. steel prices continue to retreat. After consistent week-over-week declines, HRC prices now sit more than 15% beneath their late-April peak while plate prices continue to trade sideways as they remain just 6% beneath their all-time high. The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell by 7.87% from May to June. Know what to do […]
Aluminum MMI: Aluminum Prices Trade Sideways After Decline
Aluminum prices declined overall in May. However, near the end of the month, they appeared to hit bottom and began to trade sideways. Conflicting macroeconomic and geopolitical factors continue to pressure markets, resulting in unclear direction and price trends. Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) dropped by 6.21% month over month. Shanghai Lockdowns Return, […]
Stainless MMI: Nickel Prices Fall and Start Consolidating
Nickel prices appeared to hit a bottom in mid-May, but the trend remains down. Moreover, recent price action showed few signs of any bullish structures on a weekly scale. All in all, the Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) dropped 9.4% from May to June. LME Faces Nearly $500 Million in Lawsuits The nickel crisis returned […]
Nickel Prices: LME Nickel Contract Continues to Lack Liquidity, Harming Price Discovery
Nickel prices are seeing a lot of attention due to an overall lack of liquidity on the LME contract. But what exactly does this mean? Moreover, what does it mean for buyers looking to mitigate price problems in the face of global supply problems? The metals market moves fast. Sign up for the weekly MetalMiner […]
Big Trouble in Big China: Lack of Metals Demand
Metal processors and traders throughout China are facing a grim reality today. Thanks to major economic shifts both within the country and without, metals demand has plummeted. Of course, it’s not great news for the world’s biggest metals manufacturer. But what does it mean for the rest of the world? A Hard Few Years with […]
Iron Ore Prices Show Gains in China, but Is This a Temporary Rebound?
It’s still touch-and-go for the steel sector in China despite the sprouting of the first shoots of a possible manufacturing recovery. However, last Monday, benchmark iron ore prices in the country gained a surprising 7%. This is the biggest daily rise in two-and-a-half months. Is it a sign that we should be more optimistic, or […]