The world’s largest steel producer and exporter, China, is actively contemplating adding more curbs to halt environment pollution which, most likely, will reduce its steel output and dampen exports. That’s good news for some of China’s neighbors steel-producing rivals, India and Japan. Stop obsessing about the actual forecasted steel price. It’s more important to spot […]
Category: Public Policy
This Morning in Metals: US GDP rises by estimated 6.5% in Q2
This morning in metals news: according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. gross domestic product rose by an estimated 6.5% in the second quarter; meanwhile, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) commented on the Biden administration’s infrastructure deal; and, lastly, copper prices have found some support this week. MetalMiner should-cost models: Give your […]
Federal Reserve holds off on rate increases, touts strengthening economy
For those keeping an eye on monetary policy, for now the Federal Reserve is maintaining the status quo vis-á-vis federal funds rates. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top of metals markets and buying strategies. Federal Reserve holds funds rate at 0-0.25% As the […]
This Morning in Metals: Steel capacity utilization rises to 84.1%
This morning in metals news: the U.S. steel capacity utilization rate rose to 84.1% last week; privately owned housing starts jumped in June; and, lastly, Pedro Castillo has been declared president-election in Peru. Does your company have a steel buying strategy based on current steel price trends? US steel capacity utilization rises to 84.1% The […]
European aluminum producers object to inclusion in carbon border tax
Government interference, even for the best of reasons, can have market-distorting effects. Take, for example, calls by European aluminum producers to be excluded from the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) carbon border tax proposal. Do you know the five best practices of sourcing metals, including aluminum? European aluminum producers want out of CBAM […]
This Morning in Metals: US fossil fuel consumption drops to lowest in nearly 30 years in 2020
This morning in metals news: U.S. fossil fuel consumption last year fell to its lowest level in nearly 30 years; nonfarm payroll employment rose by 850,000 in June; and, lastly, the American Iron and Steel Institute commented on the House’s INVEST in America Act. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. […]
Russia announces plan for metals tariffs
The metals markets received a jolt late last week with the news that Russia is considering applying export tariffs to steel, aluminium, copper, nickel and ferro alloys from this August through to at least the end of the year in order to ease metal supply and prices for domestic consumers. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a […]
This Morning in Metals: GDP rises in all 50 states in Q1
This morning in metals news: real GDP increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the first quarter of 2021; the Energy Information Administration released an update on drilled but uncompleted wells; and, lastly, the Aluminum Association commented on the ongoing infrastructure talks. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of […]
The steel market in both the United States and Europe continues to experience supply constraints
The steel market is running two diverging narratives. In the U.S., the market remains extremely tight. Mill lead times are out to the end of this year. Furthermore, prices are set to stay high into 2022. The situation is not dissimilar in Europe. In Europe, the steel market is seeing a similar post-pandemic bounceback, supply […]
This Morning in Metals: Court dismisses challenge to Section 232 duties on Canadian steel
This morning in metals news: the U.S. Court of International Trade granted defendants’ motion for partial dismissal of a challenge to the U.S.’s Section 232 duties on Canadian steel; the Midwest is the heart of U.S. wind capacity; and, lastly, U.S. Steel released its second-quarter guidance. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific […]
