The London Metal Exchange’s (LME) nickel price shot up by more than $1,000/mt on Friday Feb 25, a rise that one analyst directly connected to Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. The official, three-month nickel bid price reached $25,625 per metric ton on Feb. 24, The price increased 4.3% on the day from $24,575/mt, data from the […]
Tag: stainless steel price
Stainless MMI: Nickel surged to 11-year high
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 7.46% from January to February. Nickel prices surged to an 11-year high last month, due to plummeting LME warehouse inventories. Prices retraced in late January after a minor sell off, but managed to rebound. As prices climb toward recent highs, they may either breakout to new levels. […]
Environment driving BHP’s investments in nickel
Nickel, traditionally largely consumed in the stainless steel industry, is enjoying strong support from its role as a lithium-ion battery enhancing metal. The use of nickel reduces the need for cobalt, significantly battery reducing costs. Not surprisingly car makers are scrambling to lock up supplies as Chinese battery firms get first to market investing in […]
Stainless MMI: Tariff exclusion could lead to more capacity
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 1.8% month over month. Although nickel edged up slowly in price, it squeezed into a wedge that is susceptible to big time frame resistance. Prices continue to consolidate within an October-November 2021 high-low price range. A continuation to the upside with more volume from the bulls could […]
This Morning in Metals: Nickel prices consolidate; NAS reduces fuel surcharge; US LNG exports surged in H1 2021
This morning in metals news: nickel prices have consolidated in December; North American Stainless announced a reduction in its fuel surcharge; and, lastly, the Energy Information Administration reported U.S. liquefied natural gas exports reached a record high in the first half of 2021. Are you under pressure to generate stainless steel cost savings? Make sure […]
India to become net exporter of steel to China; US stainless steel output forecast to rise 16%
News reports indicate India is set to become a net exporter of steel to China but will be surpassed by Indonesia as the world’s second-largest stainless steel producer. A new report by a financial credit rating company has forecast that going by current trends, India would turn net exporter of steel to China in this […]
Stainless MMI: Stainless steel market tight, nickel shows volatility
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) held flat this month, while the stainless steel market is tight. Nickel prices appear to have consolidated following the late November spike. As with other base metals, nickel has started to show a high degree of volatility and uncertainty that would suggest a breakout of the current trading range […]
Stainless MMI: Stainless prices beneath peak but remain bullish
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose by 3.8% month over month. Nickel continues to be within an overall uptrend. However, LME prices experienced significant volatility throughout October. Prices dropped as low as $17,810/mt in the early days of the month before they spiked to $20,475/mt by Oct. 21. Prices have since retraced and appear […]
Stainless MMI: Index declines for first time in five months
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell by 1.9% for this month’s reading. Do you know the five best practices of sourcing metals, including stainless steel? Base price and surcharge increases North American Stainless (NAS) increased 304, 304L and 316L effective Oct. 1 by reducing the discount by two points. For 304, this is an […]
Solid stainless production drives nickel price
When Chinese steel group Tsingshan announced its Indonesian nickel operations would supply matte — a form of the metal used only for stainless steel production — to battery makers back in February, the news undercut the narrative that only refined nickel would be sufficiently high grade for the electric vehicle sector. The price proceeded to […]
