Today is the first day of May and the new month is not helping the metals, which struggled through the month of April. Gold has lost about 4% from the highs in early April, with three consecutive ugly down weeks. The recent action brings a possible ugly run into the mix. Gold is now breaking down through major support and failure here brings the possibility of much lower prices. This week brings a...Read More
As gold’s slide continues, the 200-day moving average and psychologically important $1,300 level become a key support area for the precious metal, says MKS (Switzerland) S.A. As of 7:55 a.m. EDT, spot gold was $7.40 lower to $1,308.20 an ounce and bottomed at $1,307.70, its weakest level since March. ““Support-wise, we are nearing some key technical levels with the 200 DMA at $1,...Read More
Base metals on the London Metal Exchange were mostly lower at the close of trading on Tuesday May 1, coming under pressure from a stronger dollar index.Zinc was the largest faller of the day, down 2.5%. It bottomed out at $3,054 per tonne this afternoon, its lowest figure since December 2017. The metal's fundamental picture was rattled last week after more than 60,000 tonnes of zinc were delivered...Read More
Spot zinc concentrate treatment charges basis CIF to major East Asian ports remained flat while lead concentrate terms declined marginally in April.The market remains extremely tight for spot concentrates, with mine supply yet to translate into markedly higher terms paid for cargoes.In China, the domestic zinc market's delivered TCs fell further, while mines struggled to ramp up and feed demand fr...Read More
Spot treatment and refining charges (TC/RC) for copper concentrates firmed moderately in the last two weeks of April, with the market continuing to weigh strong, short-term market availability against potential major disruptions in the coming months.Metal Bulletin's copper concentrates TC/RC index ticked higher for the second consecutive fortnight to $68.10 per tonne/6.81 cents per lb on April 30,...Read More
Chinese ferro-vanadium exporters increased their offer prices in the week to Friday April 27 amid recovering prices in Europe, while US ferro-vanadium prices stagnated due to inactivity in the spot market. Chinese ferro-vanadium export prices tick up on the back of European recovery European market firm week on week on thinning spot inventories US ferro-vanadium price stagnates on mar...Read More
Manganese ore prices increased by as much as 70% between early December and late in March when they started to slide again.In March, Metal Bulletin's 37% fob index rose as high as $7.57 per dry metric tonne unit (dmtu) and the 44% cif index as high as $8.82 per dmtu. Metal Bulletin examines the effects of the recent manganese ore rally on miners, traders and consumers. Smaller...Read More
Spot zinc concentrate treatment charges basis CIF to major East Asian ports remained flat while lead concentrate terms declined marginally in April.The market remains extremely tight for spot concentrates, with mine supply yet to translate into markedly higher terms paid for cargoes.In China, the domestic zinc market's delivered TCs fell further, while mines struggled to ramp up and feed demand fr...Read More
Spot treatment and refining charges (TC/RC) for copper concentrates firmed moderately in the last two weeks of April, with the market continuing to weigh strong, short-term market availability against potential major disruptions in the coming months.Metal Bulletin's copper concentrates TC/RC index ticked higher for the second consecutive fortnight to $68.10 per tonne/6.81 cents per lb on April 30,...Read More
Metal Bulletin has reviewed its benchmark cobalt prices to ensure they are relevant and fit for application in a rapidly evolving market. Metal Bulletin is hosting a free web seminar on Tuesday May 8 at 9am London time to summarize the findings from its recent industry-wide consultation into its cobalt prices, and changes that will be implemented from January 2019. Date: Tuesday May 8, 2018 Time:...Read More
Manganese ore and alloy prices have continued to slide in China due to deteriorating downstream demand, while prices also weakened in Europe and held in the United States. Ore prices drop almost 5% in China Lower silico-manganese tenders squeeze smelter margins Indian alloy prices track ore lower European alloy prices weaken as prompt demand dries up US contract negotiation...Read More
Holidays in Turkey and across much of Europe for the traditional May 1 Labor Day meant that there was no change in prices for Turkish imports of deep-sea scrap from European and US suppliers, sources said on Tuesday May 1.Renewed business activity is expected later in the week when traders return to work, they added.Market sentiment is cautious about how much more prices may increase in the near t...Read More
Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mixed in the morning of Tuesday May 1, with copper (-0.7% at $6,775 per tonne), aluminium (-0.2%) and zinc (-0.4%) prices lower, while tin prices are untraded and lead and nickel prices are both up 0.3%. Chinese markets are closed for a national holiday today, meaning volume has been light with 1,225 lots traded as of 6.24am London time. This fo...Read More
Metal Bulletin has reviewed its benchmark cobalt prices to ensure they are relevant and fit for application in a rapidly evolving market. Metal Bulletin is hosting a free web seminar on Tuesday May 8 at 9am London time to summarize the findings from its recent industry-wide consultation into its cobalt prices, and changes that will be implemented from January 2019. Date: Tuesday May 8, 2018 Time:...Read More
The United States decision to extend Europe's exemption from Section 232 tariffs until June 1 only serves to prolong the uncertainty, the European Commission (EC) and European steel association, Eurofer, said on Tuesday May 1.The US authorities postponed imposing Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium imported from the European Union, Canada and Mexico on April 30. Originally, the EU was...Read More
The United States has postponed imposing Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium imported from the European Union, Canada and Mexico, until June 1.President Donald Trump's administration announced the extension of temporary exemptions for the key trading blocs at the last moment on Monday April 30. A 10% import tax on aluminium and a 25% import tax on steel were due to come into effect on...Read More
As competition in the global steel markets remains fierce, Metal Bulletin provides an update on the new, progressing and closed trade cases from around the world in April 2018.The case list below includes only updates. For other continuing cases this year, see the updates for January, February and March.Click...Read More
Holidays in Turkey and across much of Europe for the traditional May 1 Labor Day meant that there was no change in prices for Turkish imports of deep-sea scrap from European and US suppliers, sources said on Tuesday May 1.Renewed business activity is expected later in the week when traders return to work, they added.Market sentiment is cautious about how much more prices may increase in the near t...Read More
Prices for domestic steel rebar and imported steel billet in the United Arab Emirates decreased this week on poor demand, sources told Metal Bulletin on Tuesday May 1.And demand for imported rebar in both countries remained almost non-existent.Domestic rebarThe major rebar producers in the UAE announced new prices on April 25.The biggest steel producer, Emirates Steel, is now offering rebar at 2,3...Read More
Holidays in Turkey and across much of Europe for the traditional May 1 Labor Day meant that there was no change in prices for Turkish imports of deep-sea scrap from European and US suppliers, sources said on Tuesday May 1.Renewed business activity is expected later in the week when traders return to work, they added.Market sentiment is cautious about how much more prices may increase in the near t...Read More