The latest forecast from Fastmarkets' team of analysts is ready to view.As we enter the summer season across the northern hemisphere, almost half a year has passed since the Covid-19 pandemic began to seriously affect Europe and the United States.One would not really be able to tell that such a dramatic event had occurred by looking at stainless steel prices, however, because they are more or less...Read More
The latest forecasts from Fastmarkets' team of analysts is ready to view.Stainless steel prices are relatively stable this month, showing little change since our previous tracker. Such stability masks growing issues for stainless steelmakers, however, who are increasingly unable to pass on rising costs to consumers and are, thus, facing cuts to their margins.In general, this is due to an excess of...Read More
Base metals prices on both the London Metal Exchange and Shanghai Futures Exchange were mixed this morning, Monday November 2, with the short-term outlook uncertain with much of Europe moving into tighter lockdowns, while China's new five-year plans look supportive, as does the economic data out of China and Japan this morning. Japan and China report stronger manufacturing purchasing managers inde...Read More
U.S. equity index futures were higher this morning. S&P 500 futures were up 39 points in pre-opening trade.Clorox advanced $5.75 to $213.00 after reporting higher than consensus fiscal first quarter earnings. Dunkin Donuts gained $6.13 to $105.84 after Inspire Brands offered to acquire the company for $106.50 per share. This cash offer is valued at $8.8 billion.Este Lauder added $6.50 to $226....Read More
The European Commission has set safeguard quota volumes for steel products imported from the United Kingdom starting from January 1, 2021. The EC announced the quotas on Friday October 30. These will apply to several steel products, including hot-rolled, cold-rolled and hot-dipped galvanizing coil originating from the UK. Any volumes sold exceeding the quotas will be subject to 25% duty. "Pur...Read More
A summary of Glencore's 2020 third-quarter production report for the coal sector, released on Friday October 30, where the company maintained its 2020 full-year production guidance except coal, which was adjusted for the extended strike at the Cerrejon mine.In brief The company's year-to-date (YTD) coal production of 83.5 million tonnes was 20.5 million tonnes or 20% lower than the comparable prio...Read More
The fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has concluded with the release of the 14th Five-Year Plan, which will chart China's development path in 2021-2025. More details of the country's Five-Year Plan are expected to be released from Friday October 30 onward. The session listed 12 key steps with which China would achieve a set of long-term goals by 20...Read More
The three-month prices of all base metals on the London Metal Exchange had fallen by the close of trading on Friday October 30, with aluminium being the only exception.Leading the pack, the three-month nickel price lost 2.6% to close at $15,150 per tonne after seeing turnover of a little more than 10,475 lots.The LME three-month copper price lost 0.5% to close at $6,707.50...Read More
An overview of the new energy raw materials markets and their latest price moves.Susan Zou and Sally Zhang in...Read More
The London Metal Exchange will finalize the last stage in the relaxation of its queue-based rent capping (QBRC) rule on Sunday November 1, when the rule moves to 80 days full rent.The threshold has been extended under a phased implementation over the past nine months. It began on February 1, 2020, when the rule moved to 50 days full rent, from the original rule of 30 days full rent and 20 days hal...Read More
An overview of the new energy raw materials markets and their latest price moves.Susan Zou and Sally Zhang in...Read More
Ray Mennin has joined United States-based commodities trading company and agent Toroza as vice president, Fastmarkets learned.Mennin previously worked as an assistant portfolio manager...Read More
Spot copper concentrate treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) dipped marginally while the market began annual contract negotiations at a price level where the benchmark may settle, Fastmarkets heard.Smelters are still actively buying clean tonnes at and just below $50 per tonne/5 cents per lb, with a premium on certain qualities of material rather than just the percentage copper grade, sources s...Read More
Key data from the pricing sessions in Europe, Asia and the United States for the week ending Friday October 30.China Weakening portside ore prices and historically high port inventories continued to put downward pressure on the market for low-grade seaborne manganese ore. The market for higher grade ore ticked down now that contract negotiations are underway with sellers looking to uphold their...Read More
An overview of the new energy raw materials markets and their latest price moves.Susan Zou and Sally Zhang in...Read More
The fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has concluded with the release of the 14th Five-Year Plan, which will chart China's development path in 2021-2025. More details of the country's Five-Year Plan are expected to be released from Friday October 30 onward. The session listed 12 key steps with which China would achieve a set of long-term goals by 20...Read More
Global steel scrap prices have risen or remained firm over the week to Friday October 10, following a strong purchasing trend across all markets.Turkey continues to book large volumes of cargoes.US prices up on both coastsTaiwanese buyers look for domestic supplyVietnam looks toward US-origin cargoesIndia prices firm on tight supply.TurkeyTurkish steel mills have booked as many as 10 bulk cargoes...Read More
Turkish steel mills finished the week to Friday October 30 with no further purchases heard following a public holiday in the country on the Thursday, market sources have said.In addition to the public holiday on October 29, attention in the country was drawn to a powerful earthquake which struck the Izmir region, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries as well as causing damage to buildings.A...Read More
The price of shredded steel scrap imported into India moved up on Friday October 30 as a result of tight material supply, sources have told Fastmarkets.Fastmarkets calculated the steel scrap, shredded, index, import, cfr Nhava Sheva, India, at $321.21 per tonne on Friday, up from $316.16 per tonne one week earlier.Deal prices heard during the week were in the range of $322-324 per tonne, up from $...Read More
China's spot refining charge (RC) for blister copper increased over October on lower buying appetite due to an expected inflow of scrap now that recyclable copper raw materials can be imported into the country from next week, sources said on October 30.Fastmarkets assessed the copper blister 98-99% RC spot, cif China at $150-160 per tonne on October 30, narrowing higher on the low end from $140-16...Read More