Recent key shifts in macroeconomic indicators could significantly impact both aluminum and steel prices. Historically, the best way for companies to protect themselves during times of uncertainty is to change buying strategies. Most commodities have traded in a bull market for the past one and a half years. This has allowed companies of all sizes […]
Category: Non-ferrous Metals
The Aluminum Price Forecast: China is Coming
Don’t worry – this isn’t another “reds-under-the-bed” story. Rather, it’s a look into how Chinese aluminum semis are quickly becoming the market’s main price setting (at least in Europe). With Russia more or less out of the picture and domestic mills booked up for months, China is the only swing producer with capacity to spare. […]
Titanium Market Facing Major Supply Constraints
Like other industry insiders, the team here at MetalMiner has paid very close attention to the way international sanctions on Russia are affecting metals markets. When the invasion of Ukraine started, aluminum, zinc, and even steel had been strongly supported. Since early March, those prices have fallen back (as have Russian troops). Despite this, we […]
Hindalco Looks to Bolster Global Aluminum Resources
India’s Hindalco Industries Ltd. (a major aluminum and copper producer) recently earmarked CAPEX totaling US $7.2 billion. According to recent news reports, Hindalco management is seeking to expand the company’s aluminum production over the next five years. This includes commitments to boost aluminum resources in both North America and Germany. In a recent presentation to […]
New capacity comes online as forecasts indicate aluminum demand growth
Rio Tinto’s new remelt furnace at its Laterrière Plant in Quebec officially came online amid a tight aluminum market and elevated aluminum prices. Rio Tinto projects boosts aluminum recycling capacity The two-year project added 22,000 metric tons of recycling capacity for North American rolled product customers in the automotive and packaging industries. According to Rio […]
Copper MMI: LME copper prices rise while maintaining a sideways pattern
The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 3.5% month over month, as copper prices have continued to trade sideways. Copper prices continued to trade within a sideways range. This costs industrial buyers purchasing opportunities due to the overall risk of holding inventory in the event of sudden, volatile price fluctuations. Traders, however, took advantage […]
Russia’s ‘ruble ransom’ — how oil demands might affect aluminum prices, steel prices
Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin made some tough talk about forcing “unfriendly countries” to pay for Russian gas in rubles, leading us to wonder how that might impact aluminum prices and steel prices. There are fears that Russia’s economic isolation will begin to affect aluminum prices or steel prices. Those impacts would further burden manufacturers […]
Aluminum MMI: LME aluminum prices retreated from all-time high
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased by 4.0%, as aluminum prices retreated from an all-time high. Aluminum prices remain bullish Aluminum prices showed downside price action and headed toward the previous month’s dips. Such declines do not change the overall outlook toward the upside. Aluminum prices continue to form chart structures that suggest overall […]
Vietnamese automaker VinFast to build EV manufacturing center in North Carolina
As we continue to analyze current market factors and their impacts on nickel prices, copper prices and other key metal prices for automotive production, today we’ll focus on an announced addition to the domestic automotive manufacturing scene. A new automotive player will be coming to the U.S. soon, as Vietnamese automaker VinFast this week announced […]
Zinc prices rising as inventory disappears by the day
Much has been said about the trials and tribulations of the aluminum market, particularly of the impact on smelter output from energy rationing in China last year and then rapidly escalating energy prices in Europe this winter. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine turbocharged prices. Fears rose over already constrained oil and natural gas supplies to Europe […]