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 rising global crude steel production, automotive sector developments and much more: You want more MetalMiner on your terms. Sign up for weekly email updates. Week of April 26-30 (global steel production, […]
Category: Metal Prices
US steel imports rise nearly 20% from February to March
Preliminary US steel imports reached 2.1 million metric tons in March, the Census Bureau reported earlier this month. Stop obsessing about the actual forecasted steel price. It’s more important to spot the trend. See why. US steel imports rise, paced by sheets and HDG strip US steel imports picked up in March from the 1.7 […]
Global crude steel production bounces back in March
Given the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the world in early 2020, it’s no surprise that year-over-year crude steel production levels have surged so far this year. In its monthly production analysis, the World Steel Association (worldsteel) reported global crude steel production jumped by 15.2% year over year in March. With volatile steel markets, […]
Week in Review: Aluminum smelter labor deal; copper prices; pandemic challenges for brewers
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 […]
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 […]