Steel billet import prices in Egypt fell slightly but domestic rebar prices remained unchanged in the week ended Thursday February 1.Billet import prices fell amid lower offer prices and news of a deal being agreed for material from Iran."Demand is not very strong and prices are going down," a trader told Metal Bulletin on Thursday."People will wait...Read More
China's domestic rebar prices picked up some upward momentum on Thursday February 1 amid gains in the billet and futures markets. Domestic Eastern China (Shanghai): 3,830-3,890 yuan ($608-618) per tonne, up 10 yuan per tonneNorthern China (Beijing): 3,900-3,950 yuan per tonne, widened upward by 10 yuan per tonneGains in the futures market in the first couple of hours of trading and an increase in...Read More
Ferro-alloys producer Ferroglobe has successfully completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in Glencore's manganese alloys plants in Mo i Rana (Norway) and Dunkirk (France) from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore International, it said on Thursday February 1. Ferroglobe has received the necessary regulatory approvals in France, Germany and Poland for the purchases, the company added. The new...Read More
Slowing spot demand caught up with the molybdic oxide and ferro-molybdenum markets this week, with prices dropping after suppliers cut their offer prices to book profits following a strong rally in recent weeks, sources told Metal Bulletin. Metal Bulletin assessed molybdic oxide prices at $11.80-12.00 per lb in-warehouse Rotterdam on Wednesday January 31, down 20 cents from Friday. The market...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 January 2018.The case list below includes only updates.(1) BRAZIL HRC(2)...Read More
Demand and prices for Indian finished steel products are likely to be boosted over the coming year after the country's government announced stronger spending on infrastructure in its new budget, Metal Bulletin heard on Thursday February 1.India's budget allocation for infrastructure spending in its 2018-19 financial year, which begins in April, will rise to 5.97 trillion rupees ($93.65 billion), c...Read More
Swedish steel trading company BE Group forecast solid demand and largely stable steel prices in the first quarter of 2018 following its good performance in October-December 2017, in a report published on Thursday February 1."Demand during the upcoming quarter is expected to remain strong in the company's main markets. At the same time, steel prices are expected to remain at the same level as in th...Read More
The Brazilian long steel market was largely stable in January, but prices are now expected rise and a government decision on whether to allow ArcelorMittal Brasil to take control of Votorantim Siderurgia's long steel assets is imminent.That transaction is currently under review by the tribunal of Brazil's competition regulator, Cade, which is composed of six commissioners and a chairman, ArcelorMi...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 January 2018.The case list below includes only updates.(1) BRAZIL HRC(2)...Read More
Summary of Glencore's production results for the fourth quarter and full year 2017.(Own-sourced output volume, year-on-year % change) Copper Q4: 363,200 tonnes, 0% 2017: 1,309,700 tonnes, -8% Zinc Q4: 262,800 tonnes, -14% 2017: 1,090,200 tonnes, 0% Lead...Read More
Treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) for spot market copper concentrates dropped significantly during the second half of January, with smelters coming to the market for tonnages below benchmark rates and mine sales going at aggressive numbers.Metal Bulletin's copper concentrate TC/RC index dropped by $9.4 per tonne/0.94 cents per lb. Of that drop, $3.2/0.32 cents was due to the addition of a co...Read More
The falling scrap market pushed prices for CIS-origin pig iron down during the week ended Thursday February 1, Metal Bulletin has heard."The market has weakened, and producers can no longer keep pig iron prices high while the scrap market is crashing," a trader told Metal Bulletin.Metal Bulletin's export price assessment for high-manganese pig iron from the CIS region fell to $350-375 per tonne fo...Read More
Lead prices on the London Metal Exchange were 1.7% higher at the close on Thursday February 1, with the metal continuing its fine performance since the turn of 2018. The three-month lead price hit a high of $2,668 per tonne earlier today, the highest since July 29, 2011, and closed just $3 shy of this high level. "The fundamental outlook for lead is strong with low exchange stocks while consumptio...Read More
Finished long steel prices in Europe are expected to remain largely stable in February after rising steadily through January, market participants told Metal Bulletin this week.Domestic offer prices from European steel mills are still supported by high production costs and strong demand from end-users.Market participants expect domestic rebar prices in Northern Europe to remain strong in February,...Read More
The latest metal markets news and price moves to start the North American day on Thursday February 1.Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were largely range bound Thursday morning in London.Here is how the LME base metals complex looked at 11:48am in London time. For a snapshot of our exchange news...Read More
Good morning from Metal Bulletin's office in Shanghai, as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Thursday February 1.Nickel prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were weaker during Asian morning trading on Thursday, with underwhelming data releases from China as well as soft demand from the country's stainless steel sector weighing on the metal's prices.Check Metal Bulletin's live f...Read More
SHANGHAI, Feb 1 (SMM) – Nonferrous metals futures edged down with SHFE aluminium leading the loss with a 1% drop. The ferrous complex saw mixed trading with hot-rolled coil up over 1% and rebar up slightly. Iron ore was down nearly 1%.Copper: Investors have reduced their long bets today, dragging SHFE copper lower. We expect copper prices to stay rangebound in the short term as the US w...Read More
SHANGHAI, Feb 1 (SMM) – Nonferrous metals futures edged down with SHFE aluminium leading the loss with a 1% drop. The ferrous complex saw mixed trading with hot-rolled coil up over 1% and rebar up slightly. Iron ore was down nearly 1%.Copper: Investors have reduced their long bets today, dragging SHFE copper lower. We expect copper prices to stay rangebound in the short term as the US w...Read More
SHANGHAI, Feb 1 (SMM) – Nonferrous metals futures edged down with SHFE aluminium leading the loss with a 1% drop. The ferrous complex saw mixed trading with hot-rolled coil up over 1% and rebar up slightly. Iron ore was down nearly 1%.Copper: Investors have reduced their long bets today, dragging SHFE copper lower. We expect copper prices to stay rangebound in the short term as the US w...Read More
U.S. equity index futures were lower this morning. S&P 500 futures were down 4 points in pre-opening trade. Index futures were virtually unchanged following release of the Weekly Jobless Claims report. Consensus was an increase to 235,000 from 231,000 last week. Actual was 230,000. Fourth quarter reports continue to pour in. Companies that reported since yesterday's close included Alibaba, Alt...Read More