U.S. steel imports totaled 2.7 million metric tons in July, the Census Bureau reported this week. The total marked an increase from 2.6 million metric tons in June. Are you under pressure to generate steel cost savings? Make sure you are following these five best practices. US steel imports paced by blooms, billets and slabs […]
Category: Metal Prices
Global aluminum production picks up in July
Global aluminum production totaled 5.75 million tons in July, the International Aluminum Institute (IAI) reported this month. The monthly total marked an increase from 5.57 million tons in June. Are you prepared for your annual aluminum contract negotiations? Be sure to check out our five best practices. China aluminum production rises in July China, the […]
This Morning in Metals: US steel imports up 17.4% this year
This morning in metals news: U.S. steel imports are up by 17.4% in the year to date, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported; meanwhile, Toyota Motor is imposing its biggest price hike on steel materials in over a decade, according to Nikkei Asia; and, lastly, the WTI crude oil price has ticked up this […]
Steel capacity utilization ticks back up to 85.0%
U.S. steel capacity utilization picked back up to 85.0% for the week ending Aug. 21, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported. Receive the latest short-term and long-term outlook for the full range of industrial metals (base and ferrous) at the annual MetalMiner Forecasting Workshop on Aug. 25. Steel capacity rises U.S. steel capacity […]
Week in Review: Shipping sector woes; oil prices fall; Toyota announces production cuts
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals storylines here on MetalMiner: Receive the latest short-term and long-term outlook for the full range of industrial metals (base and ferrous) at the annual MetalMiner Forecasting Workshop on Aug. 25. Week of Aug. 16-20 […]
Tin, from a technical and fundamental analysis, seems a one-way bet
MetalMiner’s new technical analyst Jimmy Chiguil recently spoke at a MetalMiner workshop, explaining how tin’s meteoric rise this year (up 68% since January), should power higher if it sustains its break above its previous peak of U.S. $33,600 per metric ton set way back in 2011. From a technical analyst perspective, previous peaks form natural […]
This Morning in Metals: SSAB touts world’s first ‘fossil-free’ steel
This morning in metals news: Sweden’s SSAB has hailed the delivery this week of its first shipment of fossil-free steel; copper prices have been sliding; and, lastly, electricity demand soared last week. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top of metals markets and buying […]
Copper caught in the summer doldrums
Dial back to the sentiment earlier this year and copper would be powering through $11,000 per metric ton with today’s fundamentals. However, it has spent much of the last month bobbing around the mid $9,500 per metric ton mark (currently sub-$9,400 for cash). We’re offering timely emails with exclusive analyst commentary and some best practice […]
Steel prices in China looking more vulnerable in the face of falling input costs
Unusually, the global steel market is diverging in the opposite direction from “normal.” Historically, China would show signs of strength driven by robust construction activity while Europe and the U.S. struggled, facing more mature markets and relatively higher levels of foreign penetration. The U.S. continues to power ahead. There, mill lead times remain stubbornly protracted. […]
This Morning in Metals: Natural gas exports to exceed imports this year, EIA forecasts
This morning in metals news: the Energy Information Administration forecast U.S. natural gas exports will exceed imports this year; aluminum prices remained near 10-year highs last week; and, finally, the Associated General Contractors of America reported on the rise in construction input costs. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips […]