By now, the world knows that although the current global copper reserves are sufficient to meet demand, extraction continues to lag behind consumption. As a result, many inside and outside the copper market fear there will be a shortage in the coming years. Predictions say that the annual global demand for copper will increase by […]
Category: Supply & Demand
Copper MMI: Copper Prices Reverse as Speculative Rally Unravels
Overall, the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 3.48% from May to June. A short squeeze helped the price of copper peak at a new all-time high in late May, followed by a sharp downside correction. This resulted in an overall 3.7% rise from the close of April. CME copper prices then continued to retrace […]
Lithium Rush: Global Scramble for ‘White Gold’ as China Dominates the Supply Chain
Dubbed “white gold,” lithium is immense valuable in the modern world. Though lithium prices dropped dramatically from the highs achieved in late 2022, China still dominates the lithium supply chain. This continues to spur on multiple countries looking to lay their hands on this valuable metal. Lithium is a critical component in rechargeable batteries for […]
Rare Earths MMI: Rare Earth Prices Stabilize After 6 Months of Drops and May’s Rebound
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) seemed to find some stabilization after six months of dropping followed by a brief rebound in May. Overall, the index moved sideways, rising by just 2.11%. Meanwhile, prices for rare earth elements continue to pull in both directions due to a number of factors. Issues like ongoing supply […]
Outokumpu Expects Sideways Stainless Market, Promotes the Necessity for Protectionism
Speaking at the Chicago chapter of the Association of Women in the Metals Industry’s (AWMI) most recent dinner, Outokumpu Business Area Americas CEO and President Tamara Weinert highlighted the many challenges facing domestic stainless producers. She also commented on the global stainless steel price, the company’s overall outlook, and its path toward a greener future. […]
Copper MMI: Risks to the Copper Price Uptrend
Overall, the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 17.36% from April to May. The copper price uptrend accelerated throughout April. Bullish momentum saw prices surge nearly 14% from the close of March. By April 29, prices pushed past the $10,000 per metric ton mark. They continued to move even higher by mid-May, with an additional […]
Construction MMI: Will Rising Copper Prices Impact Construction Projects?
The Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) remained firmly in a sideways trend, only budging upward by 1.28%. The rising price of iron ore PB fines in China had the heaviest impact on the index, holding it more up than down. After that, the next biggest factor was European commercial 1050 aluminum sheets. Meanwhile, all other […]
Stainless MMI: Mills Post Q1 Results as Nickel Prices Stabilize
Nickel prices followed other base metals up throughout April, with a nearly 15% month-over-month rise. By late April, prices hit their highest level since September, although they subsequently began to retrace as upside momentum cooled. Overall, the Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rebounded, with a 9.58% jump from April to May. Outokumpu, Acerinox Post Q1 […]
Copper Hits Record $10,000 Milestone: Experts Warn of Impending Supply Crisis
It took about 24 months for the price of copper to reach the psychological mark of U.S. $10,000 per metric ton. Three-month copper futures on the London Metal Exchange (LME) touched the $10k mark last week. The last time copper crossed this threshold was in March 2022, when it reached $10,845 per ton in the […]
Will the Taiwan Earthquake Impact Semiconductor Production?
Reports indicate that the earthquake that struck Taiwan on April 2 is unlikely to create either supply or manufacturing difficulties for Taiwan semiconductors (microchips), which could subsequently impact the auto sector and steel prices. “I haven’t heard about any impact on the industry due to the earthquake,” one steel trader told MetalMiner. The seismic incident registered 7.2 on […]
