The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) trended sideways overall, with a modest 0.65% decline from December to January. Meanwhile, the price of copper continues to react to new U.S. leadership and potential changes in trade policy. Traders Bet on Higher U.S. Copper Prices Ahead of President Trump’s inauguration, Comex copper prices started to break out […]
Category: Metal Prices
Automotive MMI: Trump’s Tariff Concerns & More Semiconductor Woes
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) held sideways from December to January, dropping a mere 0.48%. The index has yet to show a lot of momentum in 2025, with no clear trend up or down. However, the U.S. automotive industry has raised concerns about Trump’s proposed tariffs on automotive imports from Canada, Mexico and China. […]
Aluminum MMI: Aluminum Prices Sideways, Guinea Secures Alumina Investments
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained consolidated, falling by a modest 1.29% from December to January. Meanwhile, LME aluminum prices continued to trend sideways during the first half of January. Aluminum Prices Sideways, Midwest Premium Futures Up The aluminum market remained uncertain during the first few weeks of the new year. Less than a […]
Stainless MMI: Indonesia Looks to Support Nickel Prices
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways, retreating by a modest 2.64% from December to January. All of the index’s components trended lower, weighed down by bearish nickel prices throughout the month. Indonesia to Address Nickel Supply Glut Indonesia is currently eyeing substantial output cuts after nickel prices descended beneath the $15k/mt mark. High […]
Raw Steels MMI: Nippon Acquisition of U.S. Steel Blocked, Bad News for Steel Buyers
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways with a slight downside bias, falling 1.49% from December to January. Meanwhile, the blocked sale of U.S. Steel could significantly affect steel prices in 2025. Biden Blocks Nippon-U.S. Steel Sale After the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) came to a split decision, the […]
Rare Earths MMI: The Trump Transition and What to Expect for U.S. Rare Earth Imports
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) displayed bearish sentiment as it entered 2025, dropping by 3.08%. Weak Chinese demand for metals across the board had at least some impact on the downward direction of the index month-over-month. Considering major changes are underway in the global rare earth industry, this created downward short-term price pressure. […]
Renewables MMI: Q4 Battery Metal Results & Trump Administration Anticipated Market Shifts
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) dropped by 5.47% from December to January. Overall, renewable energy materials and battery metals experienced a somewhat bullish Q4. However, weak demand within China weighed heavily on metals like lithium and copper, and many market analysts expect the incoming Trump administration to place additional bearish sentiment on renewable energy […]
Aluminum MMI: End of China Rebates, Alumina Supply Support Aluminum Prices
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) edged lower, with a 1.23% decline from November to December. Aluminum Prices: A Year in Review 2024 began on a low note for the aluminum market, as Q4 2023 witnessed a year-over-year drop in shipments as well as average selling prices for certain domestic suppliers. In its financial results, […]
Nickel Nightmare: Is Indonesia’s Dominance Hurting Global Markets?
When the story of global nickel prices is written for 2024, Indonesia and China will undoubtedly be the main characters. This is not only due to the former country’s high production output but also alleged violations of environmental rules and poor labor practices, which Indonesia has consistently denied. Indonesia is numero uno in global nickel […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Prices Lose Steam After a Volatile 2024
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) dropped month-over-month by 7.66%. Precious metals prices showed mixed trends over the past month, shaped by central bank decisions, geopolitical uncertainties and shifts in market demand. While gold and silver continued to rise, platinum and palladium encountered declining momentum. Precious Metals Prices: Palladium Palladium prices have faced […]
