The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained consolidated, falling by a modest 1.29% from December to January. Meanwhile, LME aluminum prices continued to trend sideways during the first half of January. Aluminum Prices Sideways, Midwest Premium Futures Up The aluminum market remained uncertain during the first few weeks of the new year. Less than a […]
Category: Non-ferrous Metals
Stainless MMI: Indonesia Looks to Support Nickel Prices
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways, retreating by a modest 2.64% from December to January. All of the index’s components trended lower, weighed down by bearish nickel prices throughout the month. Indonesia to Address Nickel Supply Glut Indonesia is currently eyeing substantial output cuts after nickel prices descended beneath the $15k/mt mark. High […]
Rare Earths MMI: The Trump Transition and What to Expect for U.S. Rare Earth Imports
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) displayed bearish sentiment as it entered 2025, dropping by 3.08%. Weak Chinese demand for metals across the board had at least some impact on the downward direction of the index month-over-month. Considering major changes are underway in the global rare earth industry, this created downward short-term price pressure. […]
Indonesian Firms Rush to Capitalize on Nickel
According to a Forbes report, the nickel business has become so lucrative that billionaire Kiki Barki, who built his fortune in coal mining, is now steering his Harum Energy toward nickel. Harum accelerated its nickel expansion this year through a series of strategic deals. Meanwhile, nickel prices ended 2024 below their 2023 close. Harum Makes […]
Aluminum MMI: End of China Rebates, Alumina Supply Support Aluminum Prices
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) edged lower, with a 1.23% decline from November to December. Aluminum Prices: A Year in Review 2024 began on a low note for the aluminum market, as Q4 2023 witnessed a year-over-year drop in shipments as well as average selling prices for certain domestic suppliers. In its financial results, […]
Copper MMI: Copper Prices Wrap Up 2024 Sideways, Up 7.66% from 2023
Overall, the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained bearish, with a 4.65% decline from November to December. Copper Prices to Close 2024 Up, But the Outlook is Down Often a bellwether for the global economy, the price of copper became a bellwether for market emotionality throughout 2024. Despite lackluster demand conditions, copper prices embarked on […]
Construction MMI: China’s Export Tax Rebate Reverberates on U.S. Construction Market
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) held its sideways trend, dropping by a slight 1.09%. Despite a torrent of construction news, the index didn’t budge much month-over-month and had a minimal reaction to recent interest rate drops. The Fed will likely need to drop interest rates more aggressively for the construction index to display any […]
Déjà Vu for China: Copper Scrap Shortages Push Copper to New Heights
It’s déjà vu for China’s copper smelters. But how will it affect the global price of copper? The shortfall China faced in mid-2024 following the limited availability of copper ore in June led the country to significantly increase its imports of copper scrap as an alternative raw material. In fact, in the first five months […]
From Oil Kingdom to Mineral Titan? Inside Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious Mining Revolution
Saudi Arabia is striving to strike a balance between its oil and other mineral resources with the goal of trying to keep its energy dominance intact, something it has managed to do so far with regard to oil production. According to reports, the Kingdom wants to increase the GDP contribution of its mining industry to […]
Rare Earths MMI: Rebels Continue to Invade and Take Over Crucial Rare Earth Mines
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) trended sideways with a slightly downward movement of 2.59%. Numerous factors remain at play within the global rare earths market. One of the most significant factors rare earths buyers need to remain aware of is the ongoing conflict within Myanmar, one of the world’s key rare earth suppliers, […]