Aerospace may be down, automotive is coming back, albeit going through immense change from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs), but one sector of the aluminum market that is brewing up a storm is the aluminum can market. Are you prepared for your annual aluminum contract negotiations? Be sure to check out our […]
Category: Supply & Demand
Western European steelmakers expect improved 2021 but remain cautious
West European steelmakers are likely to see improvements in production and demand for their rolled products in 2021, following the adverse economic effects due to COVID-19 in 2020, industry watchers predicted. Volatility is the name of the game. Do you have a steel buying strategy that can handle the ups and downs? Better 2021 for […]
Week in Review: Airbus-Boeing saga; industrial production; Liberty’s Thyssenkrupp bid
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including the Airbus–Boeing subsidy saga, industrial production, Liberty Steel’s bid for German firm Thyssenkrupp’s steel division and much more. The MetalMiner 2021 Annual Outlook consolidates our 12-month view and provides […]
ILZSG: Lead and zinc demand forecast to drop 6.5%, 5.3%
The International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) forecast global lead and zinc demand will decline by 6.5% and 5.3%, respectively, this year. Meanwhile, ILZSG forecast lead and zinc demand will rise by 4.4% and 6.6%, respectively, in 2021. The MetalMiner 2021 Annual Outlook consolidates our 12-month view and provides buying organizations with a complete […]
China is leading the metals rebound
A relatively swift exit from pandemic lockdowns and the impact of stimulus-led infrastructure investment have powered China’s metals rebound. Furthermore, the Shanghai Futures Exchange has continued its summer disconnect from the London Metal Exchange aluminum price, which started in April of this year. The resulting arbitrage window has sucked in imports of aluminum primary and […]
This Morning in Metals: U.S. steel prices rise
This morning in metals news: steel prices have been making gains; the WTI crude price moved up; and Vale plans to increase its iron ore output. Upcoming negotiation on your steel buy? Make sure you know how your service centers will negotiate with you. Steel prices rise U.S. steel prices are on the rise, but […]
Copper is outperforming other metals
A fair part of the bull story for copper this year has been supply-side fears. The world’s largest mines are in South America, which has suffered from catastrophic levels of coronavirus infections. True, China’s recovery has played a role in the booster’s case. So have the role of copper in the growing electric vehicle (EV) […]
ILZSG: Global lead, zinc supplies post surpluses through first half of 2020
The global lead and zinc markets posted supply surpluses during the first half of the year, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) reported late last week. See why technical analysis is a superior forecasting methodology over fundamental analysis and why it matters for your metals buy. Lead supply exceeds demand by 78kt The […]
Week in Review: MMI Week; housing starts; price support for zinc, copper, lead
This week, we wrapped up our Monthly Metals Index (MMI) series for the month, including coverage of the renewables sector, stainless steel surcharges and steel demand in China. Furthermore, MetalMiner’s Stuart Burns delved into supply-side impacts on lead, copper and zinc. In other economic indicators, U.S. housing starts surged in July — a bright spot […]
Supply-side worries are supporting the zinc, lead and copper prices
Zinc and lead are co-mined metals, often assessed in tandem. Zinc and copper, however, are less likely to be viewed as driven by the same fundamentals. Sentiment, yes. All the base metals can be influenced by the same narrative, such as currency strength or China demand. It is true to say both price drivers have […]
