The aluminum market is undeniably tight, as consumers are having to wait months for metal and the Midwest Premium rises. In some locations — Europe, in particular — consumers of rolled plate cannot secure new production space until well into Q3. Some mills have even pulled out of quoting for new business customers in 2021. […]
Category: Metal Prices
MetalMiner Webinar: Bull market buying and preparing for when prices come back down
Industrial metal buying organizations are in a difficult spot these days, as commodities are entrenched in a bull market. After the initial demand hit that commodities took on at the end of Q1 2020 with the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, materials prices have skyrocketed. Lead times have lengthened and demand for everything from automobiles […]
Copper mine production finishes 2020 unchanged year over year
Despite significant drops in output earlier in 2020 at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, global copper mine production last year came in unchanged compared with the previous year. According to the International Copper Study Group, the global copper market posted an apparent deficit of 560,000 tons in 2020. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers […]
US steel capacity utilization dips slightly to 77.3%
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% […]
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, […]