U.S. equity index futures were higher this morning. S&P 500 futures were up 20 points in pre-opening trade. Index futures moved higher following release of economic reports at 8:30 AM EST. Consensus for January Durable Goods Orders was an increase of 0.8%. Actual was an increase of 1.6%. Excluding transportation orders, consensus for January Durable Goods Orders was an increase of 0.4%. Actual...Read More
Base metals prices were little changed but mixed on the London Metal Exchange, while those on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were for the most part weaker on the morning of Friday February 25, perhaps suggesting that China is expecting to see more metal from Russia.* US equities recovered early losses on Thursday...* ...this has provided some stability to markets on Friday morning* Spot Brent crude...Read More
World equity markets are sharply lower this morning on news that Russia has invaded Ukraine. European equity indices are down 3%-5%.At 7:30 AM EST, S&P 500 futures were down 103 points, gold advanced $49.10 to $1,959.50 per ounce. Crude oil gained $6.55 to $98.65 per barrel.eBay dropped $4.20 to $50.39 after the company reported a fourth quarter loss. Fourth quarter revenues also were lower th...Read More
LME base metals prices and spot precious metals were up across the board on news of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while base metals on the SHFE were mixed on the morning of Thursday February 24.* Nickel, aluminium, palladium and silver were up by more than 2% this morning* Spot Brent crude oil touches $100 per barrel* Western equity index futures down 2-4%Base metalsThree-month base metals prices...Read More
U.S. equity index futures were higher this morning. S&P 500 futures were up 30 points in pre-opening trade. Lowe's added $8.10 to 222.69 after reporting higher than consensus fourth quarter results.Palo Alto Networks gained $29.29 to $505.00 after reporting higher than consensus fiscal second quarter results.Caesar's World dropped $2.57 to $74.60 after reporting lower than consensus fourth qua...Read More
Although sentiment in the US carbon steel plate market has grown less decidedly bullish in recent weeks, the price has held steady at its all-time high - surpassing hot-rolled coil for the first time in more than a year.Fastmarkets' price assessment for steel cut-to-length plate carbon grade, fob mill US held at $90 per hundredweight ($1,800 per short ton) on Friday November 19, unchanged for two...Read More
Bulk freight rates for key steel products have receded over recent weeks amid shrinking port congestion in China and improved vessel availability, sources have told Fastmarkets.A slowdown in Chinese commodity imports, coming at a time of crashing steel prices in the country, has allowed congestion at the country's ports to unwind in recent weeks, markets participants said.Freight rates first dropp...Read More
The risks that the Chinese government will introduce export duties on steel products will increase if export volumes surge when prices stabilize again after the recent decline, market sources told Fastmarkets over the week to Friday November 19."A sharp rebound in export volumes will draw attention from the central authorities," a Shanghai-based trader said.Fears have emerged that the Chinese gove...Read More
Crude steel output in Germany increased by 7% year on year in October, the German steel federation, WV Stahl, said on Friday November 19.German crude steel production totaled 3.66 million tonnes in October, up from 3.42 million tonnes in October last year.Steel output from Germany's basic oxygen furnaces - mainly used in the production of flat steel - rose by 13.2% year on year to...Read More
The United States pig iron import market remained at a standstill in the week to Friday November 19, but suppliers remained bullish and prices edged up, sources told Fastmarkets.Fastmarkets' price assessment for pig iron, import, cfr Gulf of Mexico, US was at $575-580 per tonne on Friday, up from $570-575 per tonne a week earlier.Neither buyers no suppliers were heard to be active in the market du...Read More
Aluminium billet premiums were steady across the globe on Friday November 19, remaining close to all-time highs.EuropeEuropean billet premiums are unchanged this week at record highs but liquidity is low, with most buyers covered until the end of the year.Fastmarkets assessed the aluminium 6063 extrusion billet premium, ddp North Germany (Ruhr region) at $1,450-1,500 per tonne on November 19, unch...Read More
Key data from Fastmarkets' pricing sessions in China, Europe and the United States on Friday November 19.China?EUR?Weaker downstream steel demand was the principal driver of the decrease in China's ferro-silicon price. Due to the normal steel purchase off-season, demand for steel was not at a high level. Besides, with the heat supply period beginning in northern China, steel production will be und...Read More
Importers of ferrous scrap were lured back to market in the week ended Friday November 19 by lower prices, which were precipitated by a period of lackluster buying activity.?EUR?Turkish mills' import prices rebounded by the week's end after deals at lower prices?EUR?US sales halted with exporters reluctant to reduce their selling prices?EUR?Vietnamese buyers were actively seeking more material aft...Read More
Slow demand and cheaper imports have quashed attempts by steel rebar producers in Poland to boost prices, sources told Fastmarkets on Friday November 19.Trading activity in the Polish rebar market has been slow this week, those sources said - because local distributors and stockholders have enough material in stock, they have not been looking to make bookings.As well, end-user demand from the cons...Read More
Eastern China's rebar prices increased slightly on Friday November 19 following futures' gains due to heightened market expectations that banks will loosen loans to housing companies.Domestic Eastern China (Shanghai): 4,670-4,710 yuan ($732-738) per tonne, up by 10-20 yuan per tonneNorthern China (Beijing) weekly assessment: 4,440-4,480 yuan per tonne, down by 80-120 yuan per tonneMarket participa...Read More
Key data from Fastmarkets' pricing session in London on Friday November 19. Key-drivers ?EUR?The European ferro-tungsten edged higher for the second consecutive session on increased spot market interest and rising offers from producers, both in China and in Russia. Tighter concentrates supply from China was also supporting higher prices. The price started the week at $36-38 per kg and has moved u...Read More
An overview of the aerospace materials markets and the latest price moves.Jessica Long, Zihao Li and...Read More
An overview of the new energy materials markets and their price moves in the week to Friday November 19.Susan Zou, Yingchi Yang and...Read More
The price of stainless steel in the European domestic market remained unchanged this week, but ongoing tightness could see prices move up before the end of the year, sources told Fastmarkets on Friday November 19.Fastmarkets' weekly price assessment for stainless steel cold-rolled sheet 2mm grade 304 base price domestic, delivered Northern Europe was unchanged week on week at ?,?1,850-1,900 ($2,09...Read More
An overview of the new energy materials markets and their price moves in the week to Friday November 19.Susan Zou, Yingchi Yang and...Read More