The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) remained sideways with a slight upside bias, showing a modest 1.44% increase from October to November. U.S. flat rolled steel prices mostly moved sideways during October. HRC prices edged lower, with a 1.29% decline, while CRC prices rose by a mere 0.95%. HDG prices skipped the sideways trend […]
Category: Public Policy
Steel: To Tax or Not to (carbon) Tax
Global public opinion seems divided on whether or not to impose a “carbon tax” on the metal and mining sector. This goes double for steel. Depending on which side you’re listening to at a given moment, you’ll get very different opinions on the matter. Many economists, environmentalists, and the general public welcome the idea. The […]
UK Government Freezes Steel Producer Evraz
The UK government recently announced an asset freeze on London-headquartered metal and mining group Evraz. Authorities claim that Evraz is receiving benefits or support from the Russian government to conduct business in strategic and economic sectors. True or not, the freeze has broad implications for global steel production. From steel to copper and beyond, it’s […]
Stainless Steel MMI: Stainless Prices Holding Strong
The Stainless Steel MMI indicates that prices are holding fast. This, as cold-rolled stainless imports to the U.S. have averaged above 40,000 MT per month for several straight months. Meanwhile, U.S. flat-rolled stainless producers have run at full capacity for over a year now. Still, they continue to place premiums on products they simply don’t […]
Rare Earth Elements About to Get Even Rarer
There’s something afoot on the rare earths front in China. Specifically, the country recently decided that it wants to tighten its export control laws. The regulation passed about two years ago to stop importing countries from diverting “Chinese products for non-intended use.” In most cases, the “products” refer to rare earth elements, of which China […]
UK regulator suspends trading of Russian steelmaker Evraz
In our ongoing coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war and its impact on metal prices, the Financial Conduct Authority, the UK’s financial regulator, has suspended trading of Russian steelmaker Evraz’s shares on the London Stock Exchange. The move follows the government’s addition of Roman Abramovich to its list of sanctioned individuals. UK suspends trading of Russian […]
EU brings sanctions against Russian magnates; impact on steel prices remains to be seen
Continuing our coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its impact on steel prices, aluminum prices and more, the European Union has brought sanctions against two Russian metals magnates on Feb. 28. The move comes on the heels of Russia’s invasion last week of Ukraine. This week’s MetalMiner newsletter will include additional analysis on […]
The MetalMiner take on initial sanctions imposed by the West on Russia
Although the West issued a new round of sanctions late on Sunday, it remains unclear what effect they will have. The new sanctions, including the prohibition of Russia flying over European airspace, as well as the funding of arms for Ukraine, came on Sunday. Nobody at MetalMiner believed the earlier sanctions through Friday would put […]
Rare Earth Metals MMI: Dramatic price increases last seen in 2012
The Rare Earth Metals Index (MMI) rose by over 17% month over month. MetalMiner launched the entire MMI series in January, 2012. At that time, all of the rare earth metals began with an index reading of 100. By June of 2013, the rare earth metals MMI plummeted to 29 and reached a low in […]
Rare Earths MMI: China merger forms rare earths giant
The Rare Earths Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 1.7% for this month’s reading. We’re offering timely emails with exclusive analyst commentary and some best practice advice. Sign up here. China consolidates trio of rare earths units As Beijing has sought to control its domestic metals production in the form of state-directed company consolidation, it has […]
