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 […]
Category: Metal Prices
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 […]
This Morning in Metals: US mines produced $82.3 billion in minerals last year
This morning in metals news: US mines produced approximately $82.3 billion in minerals in 2020; meanwhile, the United States International Trade Commission launched a Section 337 investigation related to batteries; and, lastly, aluminum prices have been dropping. US mines produced $82.3 billion in minerals in 2020 US mines produced approximately $82.3 billion in minerals last […]
This Morning in Metals: February 2021 Monthly Metal Outlook is out
This morning in metals news: the February 2021 MetalMiner Monthly Metal Outlook (MMO) report is out; the US steel sector’s capacity utilization rate reached 76.1%; and US industrial production rose in December. February 2021 Monthly Metal Outlook report available The February 20201 MetalMiner Monthly Metal Outlook (MMO) is now available. Readers will find news, analysis […]