Category: Sourcing Strategies

Rare Earths MMI: Is China Moving Down the Rare Earths Totem Poll?

Rare Earths MMI: Is China Moving Down the Rare Earths Totem Poll? China and rare earth magnets

The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) experienced a pretty significant drop month-on-month, falling 24.73%. Save for cerium oxide, all components of the index either fell or moved sideways. Weaker than anticipated downstream demand ended up hitting certain metals related to rare earth magnets particularly hard, causing a plummet in the index. Another significant factor […]

Rare Earths MMI: Prices Move Sideways Amid Potential Rare Earth Magnets Trade War

Rare Earths MMI: Prices Move Sideways Amid Potential Rare Earth Magnets Trade War

The global rare earth magnets game continues to heat up. Indeed, China, the top global rare earths supplier, seems eager to tighten its hold on the marketplace, especially with trade tensions rising between the country and the West. Meanwhile, the U.S., Australia, and many other nations continue to look for homegrown solutions to rare earths […]

CBAM Update: How the USA and EU are Collaborating to Curb Chinese Steel Imports

CBAM Update: How the USA and EU are Collaborating to Curb Chinese Steel Imports

This month saw the launch of the EU’s CBAM policy, a much-needed abbreviation for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Officials designed the trade policy to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon-intensive goods entering the European Union. They also hope it will encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries. The policy […]

Construction MMI: Chinese Manufacturing Still Slumping, Impacting U.S. Construction

Construction MMI: Chinese Manufacturing Still Slumping, Impacting U.S. Construction excavator in construction site on sunset sky background

The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continues to experience pressure from both sides amid conflicting global construction news. For instance, U.S. scrap steel prices recently dropped due to more vehicles being manufactured (car manufacturing always produces ample scrap). However, Chinese steel product prices went up at the same time. Ultimately, metal markets witnessed more movement […]

Preparing for 2024 Metal Contract Negotiation Time

Preparing for 2024 Metal Contract Negotiation Time dasdasdsa

Buyers typically renew their annual metal sourcing contracts every year. Doing so helps ensure continuity and stability for ongoing business relationships. One might think, “Sure, sure. I know that. But how should I prepare properly?” After all, the contract negotiation process often proves stressful for even the most savvy metal sourcing professionals. To make matters […]

Steel Purchasing in a Sideways Market

Steel Purchasing in a Sideways Market sdsada-2

Global steel plate prices continue to move sideways. But what does this mean for steel buyers? Moreover, how should one map out their metal spend? In a sideways market, the answers are not always as clear as one might assume. Indeed, less volatility is good in some ways, and a nuisance in others. After all, […]

Construction MMI: Chinese Sourced Steel Prices Spike, Supply Pinches Possible

Construction MMI: Chinese Sourced Steel Prices Spike, Supply Pinches Possible Construction-MMI-January

The Construction MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) rose considerably by 7.68%, with Chinese steel prices getting a significant boost. In fact, all facets of the index related to China (except for iron ore) increased. The movement came in the wake of zero-COVID restrictions lifting, which resulted in a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. While this was […]

Stainless MMI: Reduced Stainless Imports Could Cause Shortages, Bullish Nickel Price

Stainless MMI: Reduced Stainless Imports Could Cause Shortages, Bullish Nickel Price Stainless-MMI-December

The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved up with a 7.32% rise from November to December. Meanwhile, the nickel price index appeared decidedly bullish throughout the month. While nickel prices modestly retraced from their early month rally, upside price action continued to support the short-term range breakout. Sustained increases should foster further bullish anticipation, which […]

Mastering Metal Prices: 5 Sourcing Strategies That Only Pros Know

Mastering Metal Prices: 5 Sourcing Strategies That Only Pros Know Asian man owner mananger of SME business warehouse storage

“It is a fact researchers have settled on – the 10,000-hour rule is a definite key in success.”– Malcolm Gladwell, ‘Outliers.’ For those of you who have not read Gladwell’s “Outliers,” no worries. Essentially, the key theme of the book involves the concept of practice. It states that those who dedicate 10,000 hours or more […]

Rare Earths MMI: Global Rare Earth Supply Chains in an Uproar

Rare Earths MMI: Global Rare Earth Supply Chains in an Uproar Rare-Earths-MMI-November

The December Rare Earths MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) traded sideways for the second month in a row. The index dropped 1.55% and MetalMiner anticipates it will continue sideways, most definitely for the short term and possibly in the long term. This is mostly thanks to the supply of global rare earth magnets being interrupted by […]

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