The Construction MMI dropped by 9.41% from May into June. The decline comes amid growing optimism about the state of the industry. Even so, talk of recession continues to cast a shadow over the post-COVID economy. U.S. Construction Market Expected to Grow 3% by 2026 Despite the doom and gloom recession talk going on, […]
Category: Supply & Demand
Automotive MMI: Lower Metals Prices and Slumping Supply Dominate the May Market
The Automotive MMI (Monthly Metals Index) experienced a slight decline from May into June. The 30-day price change was roughly -9.55, a -6.52% drop. As with last month, multiple crises impacted the marketplace’s overall health. Among them are an ongoing microchip shortage and COVID-19 lockdowns. Below, we’ll discuss if and when we can expect normalization. […]
Lithium prices outstrip even the base metals bull run
Base metal prices have seen significant increases over recent weeks. However, one metal has outperformed them all this month, lithium. The lithium spot market for battery grade salts, specifically carbonates and hydroxides, surged nearly 15% in just the last week, according to Fastmarkets. Fastmarkets’ price for lithium carbonate, 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, spot price […]
Aluminum MMI: Tight market could get tighter
The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose for the second consecutive month by 8 points to 138. Aluminum prices rebounded after a recent correction in December. Prices have begun to trade sideways. Market sentiment will soon tell whether prices rally past recent highs or see a minor correction. Ukraine-Russia tensions put market in limbo Market […]
Indian aluminum supply under threat from coal crisis
In spite of India’s coal supply crisis easing up a bit, the country’s aluminum sector has pressed the panic button. The industry has alleged that low coal stocks threaten supply of the metal. The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) voiced this concern in a representation to the Indian Ministry of Coal last week. The AAI […]
Raw Steels MMI: As steel prices fall, steelmakers look to scrap
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 12.7% month over month to 121, as scrap prices made gains this past month. U.S. steel prices continue to retreat from their 2021 peaks. At the start of the year, hot rolled coil prices sat almost 18% below the October high. US steelmakers invest in scrap […]
Renewables/GOES MMI: US renewables on pace for 20% of electricity generation in 2021
The Renewables Monthly Metals Index (MMI) ticked up 4.5% for this month’s value. (Editor’s note: This report also includes the MMI for grain-oriented electrical steel, or GOES.) Want MetalMiner directly in your inbox? Sign up for weekly updates now. EIA: renewables account for 20% of electricity generation In its most recent Short-Term Energy Outlook, the Energy […]
Chatting with Norsk Hydro VP of Finance and Strategy Mike Stier about the infrastructure bill’s impact on aluminum
U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday signed the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. The bill includes funding to upgrade the country’s transportation infrastructure, electric grid and more. As such, the projects will certainly need metals like steel, copper and aluminum, among others. In that vein, we recently chatted with Mike Stier, […]
Week in Review: Steel prices soften; House sends infrastructure bill to Biden’s desk; CPI rises 0.9% in October
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including softening steel prices, the House’s passage of the over $1 trillion infrastructure bill and more: Check if your service center is providing you with price transparency for your steel spend. Week […]
Aircraft aluminum demand likely to come back faster than previously thought
Few would argue that semiconductor shortages have hampered automotive output. Earlier in the year, automakers temporarily shuttered factories, cutting into output. According to Toyota, it would slash worldwide vehicle production by 40% in September because of the shortage. Globally, the market lost some 2 million vehicles due to chip shortages. As a result, automotive aluminum […]