Stainless steel producers have been caught in a pincer movement over the last year of rising nickel prices but falling demand. It is a counterintuitive situation until you factor in China’s stainless production. Chinese output rose by 4% in the third quarter of last year compared to the rest of the world, which fell by […]
Category: Metal Prices
This Morning in Metals: Copper price surges after January cooldown
This morning in metals news: the copper price is on its way back up again; meanwhile, Rio Tinto reached a new power agreement for its ISAL aluminum smelter; and, lastly, oil prices continue to rise. Copper price surges After a sleepy January, copper prices are back on the ascent. The LME three-month copper price closed […]
Week in Review: Biden administration reimposes UAE tariff; copper demand; stainless steel price hikes
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 the Biden administration reimposing a tariff on aluminum from the UAE, copper demand and much more. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers […]
Stainless MMI: Base prices, surcharges continue to increase
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased by 4.5%, as stainless flat rolled base prices continue to move upward due to extended lead times and limited domestic capacity (following a similar trend with steel prices). Stainless steel producers raise prices Stainless steel producers North American Stainless (NAS) and Outokumpu announced price increases effective for February […]
Raw Steels MMI: Section 232 steel tariff upheld after challenge from steel importers
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased for the ninth consecutive month, rising by 0.5% as US steel prices continued to rise. Buying organizations should continue to buy as needed, as prices remain at all-time highs. Cut-to-length adders. Width and gauge adders. Coatings. Feel confident in knowing what you should be paying for metal […]
This Morning in Metals: Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users calls for end to Section 232 tariffs
This morning in metals news: the Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users called on the Biden administration to rescind the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs; meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration forecasts US energy-related CO2 emissions to rise after the mid-2030s; and, lastly, US President Joe Biden spoke this week with Chinese President Xi […]
Global Precious MMI: Global silver demand to rise in 2021
The Global Precious Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 2.1% for this month’s value, as global silver demand will likely see a surge this year. Silver lining Gold gets most of the shine in the precious metals sector, but silver is also worth monitoring. Recently, retail traders, seemingly influenced by the Reddit-inspired run on GameStop, took […]
This Morning in Metals: December steel shipments jump 4.4%
This morning in metals news: December steel shipments rose by 4.4%; meanwhile, miner BHP announced plans to work with Japanese steelmaker JFE to study how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the steelmaking process; and, lastly, the copper price has bounced back after a January lull. Steel shipments rise in December US steel shipments rose […]
Rare Earths MMI: China mulling stricter rare earths regulations
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, […]
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 […]