The Rare Earths Monthly Metals Index (MMI) surged by 20.5% this month, as last month China indicated it is mulling stricter rare earths regulations. China to consider stricter rare earths regulations As nations and businesses around the world make pledges to commit to net-zero emissions targets, demand for rare earths will only increase. Rare earths, […]
Category: Metal Prices
Tin market in a squeeze as supply is hard to find
We have said it before, but we are not great fans of using stock levels as a predictor of price trends or even as a proxy for wider physical market metal availability — however, in the case of the tin market, LME stock position is the surest illustration of a market under extreme duress. Tin […]
Copper MMI: Copper demand likely to remain strong well into 2021
The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased for the fourth consecutive month, rising by 1.1%, as copper demand is likely to remain strong this year. Copper prices traded sideways throughout January, which proved to be a slow month for the red metal. Most of its momentum over the past year came from China, which has […]
This Morning in Metals: EIA forecasts renewables share of US electricity generation to double by 2050
This morning in metals news: the Energy Information Administration forecast the renewables share of US electricity generation will double by 2050; meanwhile, the US unemployment rate fell to 6.3% in January; and, lastly, the tin price has bucked the recent general trend for base metals prices. EIA: renewables share of electricity generation to double by […]
Aluminum MMI: US reinstates tariff on aluminum imported from UAE
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased by 2.1% this month, as LME aluminum prices traded sideways and the US reinstated the Section 232 aluminum tariff on imports from the United Arab Emirates. U.S. aluminum reinstates aluminum tariff on UAE On Feb. 1, President Joe Biden reinstated the 10% aluminum tariff on imports from the […]
Week in Review: Copper retraces; USCIT rules on Section 232 steel tariff; Vale reaches $7B settlement
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, from steadier metals prices to the United States Court of International Trade’s recent ruling related to a Section 232 steel tariff challenge. Furthermore, Brazilian miner Vale reached a massive settlement two years […]
Crude steel production at Evraz’s North American assets drops 15.1%
Crude steel production at Evraz’s North American assets dropped 15.1% year over year in 2020. The drop was due mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the global economy, the Russian group noted. Evraz output in North America drops Production for the 12 months totaled 1.58 million metric tons from slightly over 1.86 million tons […]
Construction MMI: Biden infrastructure plans likely to offer support to metals prices
The Construction Monthly Metals Index (MMI) picked up by 4.4% this month, as December construction spending rose and the Biden infrastructure plan could serve as a major support beam for metals prices. Biden’s infrastructure plans Despite the typically bipartisan support — at least in word — infrastructure spending typically garners, a major infrastructure bill never […]
West Europe HRC under pressure on higher availability, Lunar New Year
Prices for hot rolled coil in Western Europe appear to be moving away from increases seen in late 2020, as steelmakers there and in Central Europe restart their own crude production and the Lunar New Year in China approaches, market sources told MetalMiner. “It looks they are more decreasing, rather than rising,” one trader said. […]
Metals prices in 2021 likely to plot more stable course
When discussion of metals markets — indeed, any markets — considers likely price trends, it nearly always starts off looking in the rear-view mirror. Last year’s copper market suggests a bull market driven by vociferous Chinese demand. Imports surged after China relaxed its spring lockdown. Prices rose strongly, up some 48% on the LME from […]
