Steelmakers in Western Europe are trying to push through increases for their hot rolled coil, though sources noted that it was hard to determine where steel prices were at present. Reports indicate that mills are now seeking about €600 ($650) EXW per metric ton, reflecting an increase from deals that were as low as €520-530 […]
Category: Supply & Demand
Global Precious Metals MMI: Gold Once Again Hits Record Highs
The Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) continued to make gains this past month, rising by 5.07%. Gold once again reached unprecedented highs, hitting $2,697 per ounce in October due to safe-haven demand spurred by economic concerns and U.S. election uncertainty. Other precious metals prices, like silver, also saw gains. Meanwhile, platinum began to […]
Nickel Prices Surge Past $18K: Is a Stainless Steel Rebound Finally on the Horizon?
Of late, nickel prices have been on the rise. More recently, nickel hit a new three-month high on the London Metal Exchange (LME), surging past US $18,000 per metric ton. The price of this material, which is crucial for making stainless steel, has been under pressure for months. Now, it seems to be showing strong […]
Rare Earths MMI: China’s Rare Earths Restrictions in Full Effect
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) witnessed another sharp rise in price action month-over-month, this time increasing by 8.33%. The main culprit behind the bullish momentum was China’s rare earths export restriction, which officially went into effect on October 1. The rare earths market could continue to experience volatility with the new restrictions in […]
China’s Stimulus Sparks Copper Price Surge – Is a Long-Term Rally in Sight?
A glimmer of hope for an economic recovery in China has sent the price of copper soaring following a rekindling of interest from investors. On Monday, both zinc and copper prices hit a four-month high on the London Metal Exchange. In fact, copper prices rose on both the LME and the Shanghai Futures Exchange. Three-month […]
Raw Steels MMI: Steel Prices Appear Sideways With Incoming Supply Constraints
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) moved sideways, with a 2.34% decline from August to September. U.S. steel prices trended either sideways or down over recent weeks. HRC and CRC prices appeared to find a bottom in August but did not show enough momentum to the upside to form an uptrend. Meanwhile, HDG prices […]
Antimony and Tungsten: Is China’s Export Crackdown a Response to Global Trade Pressures?
For many years, most of the world has looked at China with some degree of trepidation where critical minerals are concerned. The reason? China currently produces about 60% of the world’s all-important rare earth metals and is responsible for roughly 90% of the refined rare earths available on the market. Now, there’s something more to […]
Rare Earths MMI: U.S. Businesses Most Impacted by China’s Rare Earths Crackdown
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) managed to reverse and pull up by 8.66% after experiencing steady declines since May. Numerous parts of the rare earths index reversed price action, including neodymium and terbium oxide. China’s recent crackdown on rare earth supplies has caused a shift in the global market, creating significant bullish sentiment […]
Copper MMI: Mining Resumption, China Pose Risk to Copper Prices
Overall, the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 4.56% from July to August. Aside from a short-lived rise at the start of July, copper prices today remain in a downtrend, with prices falling 5.76% from the previous month. Prices did manage to rebound in August, although not enough to signal a trend reversal. (Follow copper […]
Lithium: Continued Growth, or Red Herring?
Lithium has rapidly become a critical element in the race to dominate the tech and energy sectors, resulting in a powerful and profitable global lithium market. This is mainly because the element plays an indispensable role in lithium-ion batteries, which don’t just “charge” our smartphones and laptops but also power electric vehicles. As the global […]