While the world looks on with growing concern at the political play unfolding in Afghanistan with the takeover of the Taliban, another sidebar to this developing story that is slowly creeping into public consciousness is the vast treasure-trove of minerals in that country, and how the Taliban government will exploit it. One estimate by the […]
Category: Supply & Demand
Steel prices in China looking more vulnerable in the face of falling input costs
Unusually, the global steel market is diverging in the opposite direction from “normal.” Historically, China would show signs of strength driven by robust construction activity while Europe and the U.S. struggled, facing more mature markets and relatively higher levels of foreign penetration. The U.S. continues to power ahead. There, mill lead times remain stubbornly protracted. […]
This Morning in Metals: Global semiconductor shortage may continue into 2023
This morning in metals news: The global semiconductor shortage may continue into the next year or more. In other news, after failing to reach an agreement Thursday on the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, the U.S. Senate aims to finalize it Saturday. Also in the news, South Korea plans to raise its stockpiles of 35 “critical […]
China aims to further reduce steel output
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 […]
Rare Earths MMI: Contract signing establishes emerging US-EU rare earths supply chain
The Rare Earths Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 2.7% for the July MMI reading. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and sign up for each on the MetalMiner Events page. First shipment establishes new US-EU rare earths supply chain Energy Fuels Inc. and Neo Performance Materials […]
India steel production rises as companies commission new projects
India’s steel story continues to grow in 2021. New plants are being commissioned and major steel companies are reporting growth in production, too. India’s leading producer, Tata Steel, for example, has reported in the current quarter of fiscal year 2022, production of 4.62 million tons against 2.99 million in the same period last year. Are […]
Don’t trust stock levels to reflect metal demand
Analysis, specifically what’s termed fundamental analysis of metal supply and demand, and its impact in driving metal prices, is often a blunt tool. That is particularly true since the financial crisis. Then, traders and hedge funds discovered the wheeze of buying spot and selling far forward (typically from 18-month to a few years) when the […]
The utilization rate of steel capacity in the United States has reached 82.7%
U.S. steel capacity utilization reached 82.7% for the week ending June 26, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported Monday. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and sign up for each on the MetalMiner Events page. Steel capacity utilization takes small step back However, U.S. steel […]
China suggests it could release state reserves of base metals
It would seem Beijing only has to speak and the market reacts — this time, it’s about base metals. Worried by what it sees as excessive inflation in commodity prices, which it fears will lead through into factory gate increases, China warned speculators last month over “excessive speculation.” The warning from China’s National Food and […]
This Morning in Metals: Biden administration releases 100-day supply chain review
This morning in metals news: the Biden administration today released a 250-page report detailing the findings of its 100-day supply chain review; meanwhile, the US steel capacity utilization rate ticked up to 82.3%; and, lastly, the U.S. goods and services deficit fell in April compared with the previous month. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar […]
