The London Metal Exchange is back in the limelight again, along with its notorious nickel contract. This time, the news has to do with reports of potential fraud with a recent LME nickel shipment. The scrutiny comes following the discovery of nine warrants, some 54 tons of Nickel briquettes, that turned out to contain rocks. […]
Category: Stainless Steel
Stainless MMI: Price of Nickel and Stainless Steel Continue to Drop
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) dropped 4.68% from February to March. Meanwhile, the price of Nickel also fell significantly. Does your company have a stainless buying strategy based on a recessionary market? Stainless Spot Pricing for Buyers U.S. cold rolled stainless steel import licenses remain depressed. Indeed, many importers appear apprehensive, as it remains […]
Stainless MMI: Nickel Prices Return Sideways
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 5.82% from January to February as the nickel price index lost upward momentum. Nickel prices returned sideways in the short term after finding a peak in January. Since the price has not bounced high enough to confirm an uptrend, downside risk may increase. Meanwhile, volume levels appear at […]
Is the LME’s Role as the Go-to-Price Point for Nickel Over?
Doomsters have predicted the end of the LME before. Still, after 146 years and counting, the LME is still with us and the go-to nickel price point. However, volumes have tanked since the LME nickel debacle in March of 2022. In fact, the problems no longer relate just to nickel, but the entire non-ferrous metals […]
Stainless MMI: Nickel Prices Pull Back as Downside Risk Mounts
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 14.58% from December to January as nickel prices retreated. Nickel prices continued to rally throughout December. But by January, prices began to show minor pullbacks that could become the beginning of a short-term sideways trend. Until prices break the new range, the market direction will remain unclear. Market […]
Stainless MMI: Reduced Stainless Imports Could Cause Shortages, Bullish Nickel Price
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 […]
Nickel Market Volatility Leaves Buyers Confused
November marked a rocky roller coaster for many metal prices, and the nickel price index was no exception. After the sharp rally at the beginning of the month, nickel prices eventually bounced back down. At the time, MetalMiner noted that the rally would prove short-term at best and didn’t indicate a true reversal. The LME’s […]
Conditions Ripe for a Nickel Price Squeeze
The recent rise in aluminum, copper, and nickel price have created some short-term uncertainty as companies finalize their long-term contracts for 2023. Earlier this month, all three metals rose on the back of rumors that China might begin easing zero-COVID restrictions. In addition, the USD index has dropped from its September peak of 114. As […]
Stainless Steel MMI: Supplier Inventories High & Nickel Starts Rally
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways with a modest 1.41% decline from October to November. All in all, the stainless steel price movement primarily reacted to volatility in nickel trading. Nickel held historically low volume levels over recent months, while nickel prices remained within their short-term range. By November, however, prices began to […]
Stainless MMI: Nickel Prices Down After Bullish Month
By: Nichole Bastin and Katie Benchina Olsen The Stainless Steel Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 3.35% from September to October. Last month, nickel prices traded up with a strong rebound during the first three weeks. However, prices soon fell back within range. These declines continued until the opening days of October, with prices mainly remaining […]
