Compared to other metal industries, components of the automotive industry still remain somewhat strong, despite the Automotive MMI (Monthly Metal Index’s) sideways movement over the past seven months. Pent-up consumer demand still runs strong in the industry. However, it still continues to battle high interest rates and falling steel prices due to slumping demand. There […]
Category: Metal Pricing
Aluminum MMI: LME Aluminum Prices Rise As Midwest Premium Falls
Although aluminum prices started to rebound in the short term, they have yet to breach ranges that would signal the beginning of a new trend. Indeed, prices continue to create an uncertain environment for the aluminum market due to the lack of direction. Overall, the Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, rising a modest […]
Rare Earths MMI: Will Chinese Stimulus Help Support Rare Earth Magnets?
Month-over-month, the Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) broke its short-term sideways trend and once again spiked down. Overall, the index witnessed a 10.03% decrease as reduced short-term demand continues to cause more and more supply to build up. This leaves rare earth prices struggling to find support. However, the prospect of China offering a […]
Renewables/ GOES MMI: Cobalt Rallies, Renewable Energy Storage Facilities Expanding
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) saw little movement month-over-month. The index held sideways and only dropped a mere 0.12%, just narrowly missing trading flat. Moreover, the main factor which pushed the index sideways instead of down (according to renewable energy news) was cobalt rallying. It’s the first significant price rise cobalt has seen since […]
Stainless MMI: Stainless Output Dropped, 304 Surcharge Bearish, Nickel Prices Return Sideways
After nickel prices saw a sharp slowdown in May, prices started to form sideways trends in relief to the downtrend. Like other base metals, nickel prices rallied during the first weeks of June until bullish momentum exhausted itself and prices retraced to the downside. Prices found a bottom at the end of June and continue […]
Global Precious Metals MMI: Precious Metal Prices Moving Up, but for How Long?
Precious metal prices (especially silver) began a brief rally on July 12 before retreating again. Whether or not the bulls are here to stay is a question up for debate. Many remain optimistic that gold prices will continue upward until the end of 2023. However, gold and other precious metals markets still face some bearish […]
Construction MMI: Construction Material Costs Remain Elevated
The latest construction news reports that while interest rates remain high, inflation is finally losing steam. This could go a long way toward helping U.S. construction projects. However, the Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continues to experience pull in both directions. This is mainly due to ongoing labor shortages and the inflated cost of materials […]
Aluminum MMI: Russian Metal Hits 80% of LME, Aluminum Prices Rise in July
Aluminum prices continued to slide throughout June but appeared to find a bottom in early July. Prices started to form relief patterns in the short term, rising following bearish price action over recent months. Meanwhile, cooling inflation data saw market sentiment improve. The U.S. dollar index, which has an inverse correlation to metal prices, dropped […]
Raw Steels MMI: Bearish HRC, Steel Prices Flatten at Start of July
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with a modest 0.32% decline from June to July. Flat rolled steel prices appeared decidedly bearish throughout June. HRC prices saw the largest month-over-month decline, dropping nearly 16% before finding a bottom at the start of July. From there, HRC prices saw a modest $1/st increase […]
Automotive MMI: Automobile Sales Rise, but Falling Steel Demand Impacts Market
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continued its decline in June, this time falling by 3.28%. The aluminum and copper components of the index traded sideways. However, all other parts of the index dropped. Lead prices managed to trend more sideways in June than in May, but weak demand continues to impact lead and steel […]