Inventory drawdown is the defining narrative at the moment, and nickel is part of the story. Economic recovery around the world is patchy. Some countries are recovering strongly, while some are still struggling. Inflation is surging and analysts are having trouble agreeing whether 2022 can see anything like 2021’s rate of growth as a result. […]
Category: Non-ferrous Metals
Environment driving BHP’s investments in nickel
Nickel, traditionally largely consumed in the stainless steel industry, is enjoying strong support from its role as a lithium-ion battery enhancing metal. The use of nickel reduces the need for cobalt, significantly battery reducing costs. Not surprisingly car makers are scrambling to lock up supplies as Chinese battery firms get first to market investing in […]
Copper MMI: Sideways trend persists, Fed fosters bearish sentiment
The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 0.8% for this month’s reading. Copper prices continue to trade sideways within a big time frame, a resistance and support channel. While prices have consolidated within the channel, there are certain points of interest marked as key levels that would indicate a macro bullish continuation or macro reversal […]
Aluminum MMI: Energy crisis hits production, buoys prices
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 4.8% following two consecutive months of decline. After a sharp 7.6% drop in the early days of November, prices appeared to have found a bottom and formed a bullish “cup and handle” technical pattern around the summer support levels. Aluminum prices have broken out of the bullish pattern […]
This Morning in Metals: Aluminum prices boom to close first week of 2022
This morning in metals news: aluminum prices have surged this week; U.S. nonfarm payroll employment rose by 199,000 in December; and, lastly, electricity prices surged throughout 2021, in large part on the back of rising natural gas prices. Request a 30-minute demo of the MetalMiner Insights platform now. Aluminum prices surge Aluminum prices are on […]
This Morning in Metals: Copper prices pick up
This morning in metals news: LME copper prices have ticked up; the U.S. monthly trade deficit increased from October to November; and, lastly, WTI crude prices made some gains this week. You want more MetalMiner on your terms. Sign up for weekly email updates here. Copper prices rise Copper prices had trended firmly in between […]
This Morning in Metals: MetalMiner looks ahead in January 2022 MMO report
This morning in metals news: MetalMiner’s January 2022 Monthly Metal Outlook (MMO) report is now available; steel capacity utilization for the week ending Jan. 1, 2022, fell to 80.6%; and, lastly, U.S. job openings declined in November. Request a 30-minute demo of the MetalMiner Insights platform now. January 2022 MMO report MetalMiner has kicked off […]
This Morning in Metals: Energy costs surge; steel imports rise; aluminum price picks up
This morning in metals news: energy costs surged in 2021; U.S. steel imports picked up in November; and, lastly, aluminum prices rose during the second half of December. All the metals intelligence you need in one user-friendly platform with unlimited usage. Request a MetalMiner Insights platform demo. Energy costs rise in 2021 Energy costs surged […]
Europe’s aluminum smelters in turmoil amid rising power costs
As our colleague Fouad Egbaria noted this week, rising power costs in Europe, almost wholly down to the cost of natural gas, resulted in reduced output at Europe’s largest aluminum smelter, Aluminium Dunkerque Industries France. Losses there ballooned to €20 million ($22 million) during November, as natural gas prices quadrupled this year. Most aluminum smelters […]
This Morning in Metals: Copper prices move sideways; construction employment rises; Northvolt assembles first lithium-ion battery cell at Swedish gigafactory
This morning in metals news: copper prices have moved sideways to close 2021; meanwhile, the U.S. construction sector added jobs in November; and, finally, Northvolt said it had produced the first lithium-ion battery cell at its gigafactory in Sweden. MetalMiner should-cost models: Give your organization levers to pull for more price transparency, from service centers, […]