Before the weekend, let’s take a look at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including an aluminum smelter labor deal, copper prices, environmental policy developments and more: Find more insight on MetalMiner’s LinkedIn. Week of April 19-23 (aluminum labor deal, copper prices and more) Stuart Burns on copper price movements […]
Category: Metal Prices
This Morning in Metals: ‘Clean Sheet Project’ targets production of recyclable automotive sheet metals
This morning in metals news: a $2 million project seeks to develop ways to more cost-effectively produce lightweight automotive sheet metals; meanwhile, U.S. Steel joined the global nonprofit ResponsibleSteel™; and the copper price has picked back up over the last week. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help […]
Maintenance, high demand boost NLMK Group’s Q1 production and sales
Russian steelmaking group Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) reported a 4.1% year-over-year rise in its Q1 crude steel production. The jump came partly due to completion of maintenance on its long products facility at the Lipetsk site. Stop obsessing about the actual forecasted steel price. It’s more important to spot the trend. See why. NLMK output rises […]
Zinc treatment charges tell us a similar story to copper
We wrote about the copper market and what smelter treatment charges are telling us about mine supply — and, hence, refined metal supply this year. Treatment and refining charges have collapsed. That is a sure sign that refiners are struggling to secure concentrate supply as mines’ recovery, largely due to COVID-19 effects, lags global industrial […]
Copper price eases, but for how long?
Copper bulls who were betting on continued price rises — or, more importantly, copper consumers worried about escalating copper costs — may be looking at the copper price and wondering what is going on. Prices hit over $9,600 per metric ton in late February but have since fallen back. Although experiencing volatility, the copper price […]
Week in Review: Steel prices; US electricity consumption; rising aluminum premiums
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including coverage of steel prices, US electricity consumption and much more: Sign up today for Gunpowder, MetalMiner’s free, biweekly e-newsletter featuring news, analysis and more. Week of April 12-16 (steel prices, electricity […]
Raw Steels MMI: US steel prices keep rising but pace of gains begins to slow
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 7.8% for this month’s reading, as steel prices continued to rise. Are you prepared for your annual steel contract negotiations? Be sure to check out our five best practices. Steel price gains slow As we’ve chronicled in this monthly column, steel prices have been rising consistently since […]
Aluminum MMI: Buyers see tight supply, rising physical delivery premiums
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) ticked up 2.0% for this month’s reading, as aluminum premiums remain elevated. Does your company have an aluminum buying strategy based on current aluminum price trends? Rising physical delivery aluminum premiums For aluminum buyers vying for material, they’re finding physical delivery premiums are elevated. In fact, rising premiums are […]
Copper MMI: Copper price stabilizes in March
The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell by 2.8% for this month’s reading. Sign up today for Gunpowder, MetalMiner’s free, biweekly e-newsletter featuring news, analysis and more. Copper stabilizes after late February, early March drop The LME three-month copper price surged to a peak of $9,560 in late February. However, like nickel, the red metal cooled […]
Stainless MMI: Strike continues at ATI; nickel price plunges then stabilizes
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) dropped by 10.4% for this month’s reading, as the ATI strike continues into its third week. Do you know the five best practices of sourcing metals, including stainless steel? ATI strike continues The United Steelworkers union’s strike at nine Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI) facilities continues into its third week […]
