China will release new standards for steel scrap imports by the end of 2020, the National Standard Formation Committee said at a recycled raw materials conference in Shanghai.The new standards will support the rising demand for ferrous scrap in China and will introduce the nationwide classification and regulation of high-quality scrap, according to the China Metallurgical Information & Standardiza...Read More
A summary of London Metal Exchange warrant premiums from across the globe for the week to Wednesday October 14.Read More
China's domestic rebar prices continued to slide on Wednesday October 14 amid high stock levels of mills and the spot market. DomesticEastern China (Shanghai): 3,700-3,730 yuan ($550-555) per tonne, down by 10 yuan per tonneMajor steel mills had 13.59 million tonnes of finished steel inventory in early October, up by 17.22% from late September, while stock levels in the spot market amounted to 12....Read More
London Metal Exchange three-month base metals prices were broadly trading up on the previous day's close during the morning session on Wednesday October 14, with a weaker US dollar index boosting trade over the period.The US dollar index was down by a marginal 0.04% at around 93.51 on Wednesday morning, adding additional price support to LME futures prices amid the dip buying interest that has eme...Read More
China's hot-rolled coil prices weakened on Wednesday October 14 after trading thinned, though buyers in Vietnam raised their bids for Chinese products slightly.DomesticEastern China (Shanghai): 3,910-3,930 yuan ($581-584) yuan per tonne, down 10 yuan per tonneA Shanghai-based trader said sentiment was affected by falling futures on Wednesday, which resulted in spot prices dipping.Trading activity...Read More
An overview of the specialty steel raw materials markets in Europe and their latest price moves.Read More
An overview of the consumers electronics markets and their latest price moves.Read More
China's monthly output and sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) continued their upward trajectory in September, reaching a year-to-date high following its first and second year-on-year growth since last year in July and August. China produced 136,000 NEVs in September, including pure electric vehicles (PEVs) and plug-in hybrids. This figure was up 48% from September 2019, and is also up 28.9% on a...Read More
The implementation of fifth generation (5G) technology will be the primary demand driver for tantalum after the Covid-19 pandemic is resolved, panelists said during a Tantalum-Niobium International Study Centre virtual conference this week. "Tantalum is driven by connectivity and 5G implementation will be the primary demand driver going forward," Travis Ashburn, senior vice president at Kemet Elec...Read More
The Cobalt standard grade, in-whs Rotterdam, $/lb trade log including business, bids and offers reported to Fastmarkets.Fastmarkets publishes trades logs for its key price assessments and indices to bring more transparencyinto the markets it covers and the pricing process it applies. Fastmarkets assessed Cobalt standard grade,...Read More
The Cobalt alloy grade, in-whs Rotterdam, $/lbtrade log including business, bids and offers reported to Fastmarkets.Fastmarkets publishes trades logs for its key price assessments and indices to bring more transparencyinto the markets it covers and the pricing process it applies....Read More
Key data from Fastmarkets' pricing session in Europe on Wednesday October 14. Key drivers The ferro-titanium spot price range narrowed, reflecting producers' attempts to pass on the cost of tightening scrap supplies since the start of September.Most ferro-titanium producers are struggling to source enough scrap to meet their smelting schedules for longer term delivery deals, with little alloy ava...Read More
Base metals prices on the LME and the SHFE were mixed this morning, Thursday October 15, with concerns over the spread of Covid-19 and the reduced likelihood of a US stimulus package any time soon dampening optimism.* Governments in Europe are trying to avoid widespread lockdowns, but Covid-19 is spreading alarmingly.* United States 10-year treasury yields slip as traders turn more risk-off.Base m...Read More
Vertex Pharmaceutical (VRTX), a NASDAQ 100 stock moved below $253.97 extending an intermediate downtrend. Verizon (VZ), a Dow Jones Industrial Average stock moved below $58.03 setting an intermediate downtrend.AT&T (T), an S&P 100 stock moved below $27.45 extending an intermediate downtrend. Pre-opening Comments for Thursday October 15thU.S. equity index futures were lower this morni...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Tuesday October 13 that are worth another look.The numbers of cases of Covid-19 infection have begun to grow once more across Europe, and Fastmarkets has heard the fears of various market participants about the consequences that any new restrictions or lockdowns could have for...Read More
Aluminium premiums in the United States and Europe fell in the week to Tuesday October 13, with a narrowing cash/three-month contango on the London Metal Exchange and a backwardation on the December/three-month spread incentivizing market participants to sell off metal.Narrow LME spreads bring Rotterdam premium down 10% week on week.US Midwest premium also drops on narrowing contango.Main Japanese...Read More
A summary of base metals premiums from across the globe for the week to Tuesday October 13.Please click...Read More
An overview of the chrome ore and alloy markets and their latest price moves. China The spot domestic ferro-chrome price was supported at current levels by active demand on post-Golden Week restocking. Positive market sentiment for the charge chrome market stayed intact following the release of October ferro-chrome tender prices. Chinese leading stainless steelmakers Taiyuan...Read More
Customs officials in southern China have impounded just under 10,000 tonnes of copper 'concentrates' after it turned out to be smelting waste, which is prohibited from entering the country.Customs inspectors at Fangchenggang, in Guangxi province in southern China, said the cargo was reported by a Shanghai-based company as copper concentrates - a feedstock used by copper smelters for making refined...Read More
Here are five Fastmarkets stories you might have missed on Tuesday October 13 that are worth another look.The numbers of cases of Covid-19 infection have begun to grow once more across Europe, and Fastmarkets has heard the fears of various market participants about the consequences that any new restrictions or lockdowns could have for...Read More