When we first started reporting on global freight costs in Q4 last year, we expected that the pandemic bounce-back would probably be a relatively short-term effect, easing around the Chinese Lunar New Year. Around then, Chinese manufacturers closed down and the shipping industry had a chance to catch up on backlogs. Unfortunately, in the meantime, […]
Category: Supply & Demand
This Morning in Metals: US trade in goods deficit ticks up in January
This morning in metals news: the US international goods trade deficit moved up slightly from December to January; meanwhile, MetalMiner sister site SpendMatters took to LinkedIn for feedback on President Joe Biden’s executive order on supply chains; and, lastly, Sweden will be home to what will reportedly be the world’s largest “green hydrogen plant.” US […]
Biden signs executive order aimed at securing supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals
President Joe Biden’s latest executive order seeks to secure a variety of important supply chains. For example, in one higher-profile case, General Motors recently announced it would extend downtimes at several plants as a result of a semiconductor shortage. As we’ve noted in our Rare Earths Monthly Metals Index (MMI) series, rare earths supply has […]
Investment banks signal possible start of a commodities super cycle
Investment banks love a super cycle. It spurs irrational investment and sucks in unwary investors. Furthermore, it encourages passive funds to up their allocation, even if only by fractions of a percent. But with some $14 trillion invested in US equities alone, even a modest increase in passive investments into ETFs would reap significant rewards […]
This Morning in Metals: Officials break ground for AM/NS Calvert expansion project
This morning in metals news: officials held a groundbreaking ceremony at the AM/NS Calvert mill earlier this month; President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order that calls for assessments of several critical supply chains; and US housing starts fell in January. AM/NS Calvert officials hail expansion project Officials celebrated the imminent expansion […]
Rare earths are the next geopolitical chess game
Although presented as the evil machinations of an enemy state, a recent Financial Times article lays out the rare earths dilemma China faces. Rare earths in the crosshairs Rare earths industry executives made unofficial statements indicating Chinese government officials had asked them how badly companies in the US and Europe, including defense contractors, would be […]
Nickel Supply Chain Could be Strengthened by EV Makers
Electric vehicle manufacturers are wooing Indonesia to create a nickel-based battery supply chain in that country. Elon Musk’s Tesla and China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology, otherwise known as CATL, and South Korea’s LG Chem are in the fray. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top […]
Week in Review: Biden administration reimposes UAE tariff; copper demand; stainless steel price hikes
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 the Biden administration reimposing a tariff on aluminum from the UAE, copper demand and much more. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers […]
This Morning in Metals: General Motors grapples with semiconductor supply challenges
This morning in metals news: automaker General Motors is facing challenges related to semiconductor supply; meanwhile, Oslo-based Norsk Hydro reported its Q4 2020 financial results; and, lastly, the oil price continues to tick up. Semiconductor supply End users across sectors are dealing with material shortage challenges. The automotive sector is no different. This week, General Motors […]
Copper MMI: Copper demand likely to remain strong well into 2021
The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) increased for the fourth consecutive month, rising by 1.1%, as copper demand is likely to remain strong this year. Copper prices traded sideways throughout January, which proved to be a slow month for the red metal. Most of its momentum over the past year came from China, which has […]
