Troubled UK long steel producer British Steel entered compulsory liquidation on May 22. Fastmarkets examines the reasons behind the company's recent struggles, from uncertainty about Brexit and a slump in orders, to rising costs for raw materials.Brexit uncertaintyThe future of British Steel remains uncertain, with the UK's Insolvency Service approaching "more than 80 potential trade purchasers" t...Read More
China's rebar prices largely softened on Monday June 3 amid a gradual drop in demand. Domestic Eastern China (Shanghai): 3,940-3,980 yuan ($570-576) per tonne, unchangedNorthern China (Beijing): 3,850-3,900 yuan per tonne, down 30-50 yuan per tonneWarmer weather in northern China led to demand for rebar in that region falling over the past few days.A price drop in Tangshan's billet market over the...Read More
China's hot-rolled coil producers kept prices stable on Monday June 3 despite a bearish outlook in the market amid subdued demand, which weighed on the domestic sector.DomesticEastern China (Shanghai): 3,900-3,920 yuan ($565-568) per tonne, down 30 yuan per tonneNorthern China (Tianjin): 3,830-3,850 yuan per tonne, down 10 yuan per tonneTrading was thin during the day, with demand reported to be r...Read More
The London Metal Exchange three-month zinc price fell by more than 2% during morning trading on Monday June 3, with fresh United States tariffs against neighboring Mexico prompting broadly risk-averse commodity investment. US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday May 30 that he would impose 5% tariffs on all goods from Mexico with effect from June 10. The tax will "gradually increase" until...Read More
Markets are nervous after US President Donald Trump opened up the possibility of another front in the trade wars, this time with Mexico. Today's manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) data is likely to set the tone.Trade war rhetoric escalates with Mexico now in focus Equites continue to show weakness while haven assets shineChina's Caixin manufacturing PMI holds steady; more PMI data out...Read More
Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mostly down during morning trading on Monday June 3 after investors' appetite for commodity investment was dampened by a further escalation in trade tensions. The SHFE base metals were split into two camps this morning with copper, aluminium, tin and nickel down between 0.1% and 0.9.%, while zinc and sister metal lead were up by 0.1% and 0.8...Read More
Key data from the pricing sessions in Asia and Europe for the week ended Friday May 31.ChinaThe Chinese domestic antimony price continued to fall for the fourth consecutive week after some domestic suppliers' lowered prices further to spark buying interest. Many Chinese antimony consumers remained wary of restocking in anticipation of a further price dip in the coming weeks. Some domestic antimony...Read More
After briefly stabilizing at a recent high of $16.35-17.05 per lb following a rise since late March, the standard-grade cobalt benchmark price started to retreat in mid-May amid slowing consumer demand and sellers' profit-taking.Price moves Fastmarkets' standard-grade metal benchmark price fell 4.5% to $15.35-16.10 per lb on May 29, following several mild drops at the beginning of May after some s...Read More
Key data from the pricing sessions in Asia and Europe for the week ended Friday May 31. China Export prices in China held steady due to continued tight silicon ore supply in the country's province of Xinjiang. Some sources say the price can be underpinned ahead of rainy season in South China which will bring more supply due to cheaper hydroelectric costs in that region. Insufficien...Read More
Chrome ore and alloy prices dropped in various global regions in the week ended Friday May 31, with bearish sentiment in China deteriorating further after the release of lower tender prices for June. Chinese domestic spot prices follow tenders downwardImport prices for charge chrome and UG2 dropTurkish lumpy ore prices hold steadyAlloy prices slide in Japan, South KoreaAlloy prices weaken in Europ...Read More
Neutral-to-bearish,...ACCESS RESTRICTEDTo read the rest of this analysis please take a free sample or subscribeFREE SampleReceive a free sample of market analysis and price forecasts.Free SampleSUBSCRIBEReceive unlimited access to all current and archive content going back to 2008 including downloadable pricing data and forecasts.Plus download the latest issue as soon as it’s...Read More
Aluminium fared better than its peers...ACCESS RESTRICTEDTo read the rest of this analysis please take a free sample or subscribeFREE SampleReceive a free sample of market analysis and price forecasts.Free SampleSUBSCRIBEReceive unlimited access to all current and archive content going back to 2008 including downloadable pricing data and forecasts.Plus download the latest issue as...Read More
Aluminium As long as the LME aluminium price...ACCESS RESTRICTEDTo read the rest of this analysis please take a free sample or subscribeFREE SampleReceive a free sample of market analysis and price forecasts.Free SampleSUBSCRIBEReceive unlimited access to all current and archive content going back to 2008 including downloadable pricing data and forecasts.Plus download the late...Read More
Intense sell-off in May LME copper...ACCESS RESTRICTEDTo read the rest of this analysis please take a free sample or subscribeFREE SampleReceive a free sample of market analysis and price forecasts.Free SampleSUBSCRIBEReceive unlimited access to all current and archive content going back to 2008 including downloadable pricing data and forecasts.Plus download the latest issue as soo...Read More
Prices hold down in low...ACCESS RESTRICTEDTo read the rest of this analysis please take a free sample or subscribeFREE SampleReceive a free sample of market analysis and price forecasts.Free SampleSUBSCRIBEReceive unlimited access to all current and archive content going back to 2008 including downloadable pricing data and forecasts.Plus download the latest issue as soon as it...Read More
In our latest Stainless Steels Market Tracker report,...ACCESS RESTRICTEDTo read the rest of this analysis please take a free sample or subscribeFREE SampleReceive a free sample of market analysis and price forecasts.Free SampleSUBSCRIBEReceive unlimited access to all current and archive content going back to 2008 including downloadable pricing data and forecasts.Plus download the...Read More
In our latest Stainless Steels Market...ACCESS RESTRICTEDTo read the rest of this analysis please take a free sample or subscribeFREE SampleReceive a free sample of market analysis and price forecasts.Free SampleSUBSCRIBEReceive unlimited access to all current and archive content going back to 2008 including downloadable pricing data and forecasts.Plus download the latest issue as...Read More
Trade conflicts suggests HDG price weakness...ACCESS RESTRICTEDTo read the rest of this analysis please take a free sample or subscribeFREE SampleReceive a free sample of market analysis and price forecasts.Free SampleSUBSCRIBEReceive unlimited access to all current and archive content going back to 2008 including downloadable pricing data and forecasts.Plus download the latest iss...Read More
ACCESS RESTRICTEDTo read the rest of this analysis please take a free sample or subscribeFREE SampleReceive a free sample of market analysis and price forecasts.Free SampleSUBSCRIBEReceive unlimited access to all current and archive content going back to 2008 including downloadable pricing data and forecasts.Plus download the latest issue as soon as it’s published.SubscribeRead More
Click here to download Base Metals Weekly DataDISCLAIMER - IMPORTANT PLEASE READ CAREFULLY This Disclaimer is in addition to our Terms and Conditions as available on our website and shall not supersede or otherwise affect these Terms and Conditions. Prices and other information contained in this publication have been obtained by us from various sources believed to be reliable. This info...Read More