The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) saw a strong rally from mid-May to mid-June. Precious metals prices like gold, silver, platinum and palladium all climbed on a potent mix of safe-haven investment flows and robust industrial demand. Geopolitical tensions, notably the recent flare-up in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, have only […]
Category: Non-ferrous Metals
Aluminum MMI: Midwest Premium Finds a Peak
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways as the global price of aluminum ticked modestly higher. Overall, the index rose 0.73% from May to June. Track other MetalMiner monthly indexes here, and compare how the overall industrial metal market is performing. Aluminum Midwest Premium Finds A Peak The Midwest Premium found a peak in […]
Construction MMI: New 50% Aluminum and Steel Tariffs Squeeze U.S. Construction
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways, dropping by 2.0% month-over-month. In early June 2025, new Trump tariffs doubled pre-existing steel and aluminum duties from 25% to 50%. As buyers scrambled, U.S. aluminum premiums immediately hit a record 60¢/lb. Meanwhile, the tariff surge is already squeezing the U.S. construction industry. Construction Input Inflation Construction […]
Automotive MMI: Automakers Scramble as Rare Earths Crunch and Tariffs Impact Supply Chains
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) moved sideways month-over-month, dropping by 0.70%. This comes as auto industry executives in the U.S. are confronting a whirlwind of trade and supply chain disruptions, not to mention the effects of the recent round of Trump tariffs. In the past month alone, high-stakes U.S.–China trade talks, critical mineral export […]
Copper MMI: Copper Prices Stable, but Volatility Looms
The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, rising by a modest 1.45% from May to June. Though copper prices today appear mostly stable, significant opportunity for volatility remains. Copper Prices Open June With Uncertainty Comex copper prices appeared surprisingly stable in the first weeks of June as they took a pause from the heightened […]
Tariff Ticking Time Bomb: Trump Gives UK Until July 9th to Avoid Steel Shock
Trump tariffs are back once again putting U.S trade partners in a tough spot. President Donald Trump recently exempted the United Kingdom from his doubling of import tariffs on steel and aluminum into the United States, but only temporarily. While import tariffs from UK steelmakers remain at 25% for now, failure to reach an agreement […]
Stainless MMI: Tariff Impacts on the Stainless Market
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, rising by a modest 0.35% from May to June. However, the stainless steel price remains under pressure from several factors. Tariff Hike Rattles the U.S. Stainless Steel Market In a move few saw coming, President Trump doubled Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% […]
Rare Earths MMI: Prices Stabilize, but Supply Chains Still Disrupted by China’s New RE Restrictions
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) found more price stability month-over-month. As a result, it moved sideways, with only a 0.81% increase. Despite this, the short-term outlook for rare earths remains uncertain. Chinese export restrictions jolted prices in H1 of 2025 and fractured long-running supply lines. Shortly after, global automakers warned that Beijing’s April […]
If the Goal Isn’t Price Stability, Then What Are These New 50% Tariffs Really About?
During a rally at U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works–Irvin Plant near Pittsburgh last Friday, U.S. President Trump announced plans to raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%. These new “Trump Tariffs” are set to take effect on June 4, 2025, and will not only apply to primary and semi-finished steel and […]
Copper Market Outlook, H2 2025: Why Are Inventories Still So Uneven?
The copper market outlook for the second half of 2025 has seen significant debate in recent weeks. On the supply side of the equation, new production is coming online. However, this may not happen fast enough to flood the market. According to mining.com, the ICSG projects global mined copper output will rise about 2.3% in […]