The US steel sector’s capacity utilization rate has consistently posted gains since a trough last spring at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This past week, however, the capacity utilization rate fell slightly. Stay up to date on MetalMiner with weekly updates – without the sales pitch. Sign up today. Capacity utilization dips to 77.3% […]
Category: Metal Prices
Tangshan steel curbs could have ripple effect on steel, iron ore
The recent curbs on steel making by the local government in one of China’s largest steel-producing cities, Tangshan, may have a cascading effect on steel procurement & demand, as well on iron ore supplies, some experts believe. The Tangshan restrictions are in effect from March 20 to Dec. 31, 2021. Among other things, the restrictions […]
Europe’s automakers rush to go electric
Most carmakers had a pretty torrid first half of 2020, with factories disrupted, show rooms closed and consumers bunkered down in their homes. Sales plummeted across Europe and North America. However, the second half of last year and, particularly, the first quarter of this year have seen carmakers’ prospects come roaring back. The move to […]
Hot rolled coil prices continue to surge in Western Europe
A lack of local availability, plus anti-dumping measures on some third-country imports into the European Union, have further pushed up hot rolled coil prices in Western Europe. Hot rolled coil price surge Offers for the flat rolled product from Western European mills are now €850-900 ($1,015-$1,070) per tonne ex works for May rolling and June […]
Week in Review: Nickel price falls; oil prices remain elevated; Honda temporarily suspends production
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals storylines of the week here on MetalMiner, including coverage of the nickel price, oil prices, housing starts and more. Overall, steel prices continue to rise. Meanwhile, after experiencing significant price declines, lead and nickel […]
This Morning in Metals: Honda announces short-term production cuts in North America
This morning in metals news: Honda announced it will suspend most of its North American automotive production; copper has leveled off over the last couple of weeks; and service center shipments declined in February. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top of metals markets […]
This Morning in Metals: Contractors more optimistic in latest Commercial Construction Index
This morning in metals news: the US Chamber of Commerce’s Commercial Construction Index revealed some optimism among contractors; meanwhile, the Senate confirmed Katherine Tai as the next United States Trade Representative; and, lastly, the nickel price has appeared to stabilize after a sharp drop. Sign up today for Gunpowder, MetalMiner’s free, biweekly e-newsletter featuring news, […]
Housing starts drop by 10.3% in frigid February; Fed holds off on rate hike
After what was a frigid month across the country, February housing starts declined in the US. February saw a historic chill in Texas and elsewhere in the region — in addition to inclement weather in other, traditionally colder parts of the country — that led to many losing power and a decline in natural gas […]
This Morning in Metals: ArcelorMittal launches XCarb™ low-carbon initiatives
This morning in metals news: ArcelorMittal announced a series of low-carbon initiatives; meanwhile, US import prices increased in February; and, lastly, the aluminum price has picked up this week. Are you on the hook for communicating the company’s steel performance to the executive team? See what should be in that report. ArcelorMittal unveils XCarb™ low-carbon […]
International Aluminum Institute outlines three ‘pathways’ for aluminum sector to reduce emissions
The International Aluminum Institute published a report outlining how the aluminum industry can reduce its emissions. Manufacturers of metals are increasingly under pressure to modernize their production processes and make them “greener.” In recent coverage, MetalMiner’s Stuart Burns has touched on China’s latest Five-Year Plan and its environmental implications for the country’s massive steel and […]
