Base Metal Stock Articles

IRON ORE DAILY: Market facing headwinds sparked by coronavirus outbreak

February 04, 2020 / Staff reporter

Seaborne iron ore prices fell on Monday February 3 amid fears of weakened demand caused by an expected slowdown in China's construction sector.Fastmarkets iron ore indices62% Fe fines, cfr Qingdao: $80.38 per tonne, down $4.56 per tonne.62% Fe Pilbara Blend fines, cfr Qingdao: $79.42 per tonne, down $4.56 per tonne. 62% Fe low-alumina fines, cfr Qingdao: $81.61 per tonne, down $4.94 per tonne.58%...Read More

Q1 DR-pellet premium down on weak scrap, pessimistic buyer mood

February 04, 2020 / Staff reporter

The direct-reduced (DR) iron pellet premium has reduced in contracts for shipments in the first quarter 2020 mainly on a weak scrap market and pessimistic buyer mood, sources told Fastmarkets. Fastmarkets' assessment of the iron ore DR-grade pellet premium, Middle East reference was $31 per tonne on Friday January 31, down from $39 per tonne on December 31."The scrap market's weak again...Read More

Suppliers of Turkish rebar test Singapore market with lower offers

February 04, 2020 / Staff reporter

Sellers of Turkish rebar tested the Singapore market over the past week by issuing lower offers to the republic after the Lunar New Year holiday.They offered cargoes at $450-455 per tonne cfr to the Southeast Asian country. No other offers for cargoes of other origin were heard.Participants were largely just returning to the spot market during the week and were not actively looking to purchase mat...Read More

WEEKLY SCRAP WRAP: Global prices slide on weak downstream, virus outbreak [CORRECTED]

February 04, 2020 / Staff reporter

Global scrap prices fell last week due to weak downstream demand and market jitters following the outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus in China. Turkish import prices slide on weak downstream demandUnited States' ferrous scrap export prices tumble in latest dealsTaiwan import prices dip on virus jittersIndian import prices dip in line with international pricesTurkeyTurkish imported ferrous scrap pric...Read More

CHINA HRC: Offers slump after Chinese New Year break

February 04, 2020 / Staff reporter

China's hot-rolled coil sellers lowered their offers significantly on Monday February 3, the first day after the country's Chinese New Year break, amid bearish sentiment triggered by a virus outbreak.DomesticEastern China (Shanghai): 3,630-3,650 yuan ($523-526) per tonne, down 230 yuan per tonneNorthern China (Tangshan): 3,300 yuan per tonne, down 290 yuan per tonneA Shanghai-based trader told Fas...Read More

CHINA REBAR: Offers plunge after holiday amid health scare

February 04, 2020 / Staff reporter

Rebar offers in eastern China dropped sharply on Monday February 3, the first day of work after the Chinese New Year for some market participants, amid sustained fears over the novel coronavirus in the country.Eastern China (Shanghai): 3,400-3,450 yuan ($490-497) per tonne, down 220-240 yuan per tonneNorthern China (Beijing): 3,540-3,560 yuan per tonne, unchangedA handful of sellers in the eastern...Read More

Antimony gains support in Europe amid coronavirus outbreak uncertainty

February 04, 2020 / Staff reporter

The impact of the coronavirus outbreak from Wuhan city, China, is positively affecting antimony prices in Europe, with low stocks in Rotterdam and the market heavily dependent on supply from China.The East Asian country accounts for 78% of global antimony output, according to the United States Geologic Survey (USGS). Fastmarkets assessed the price for antimony max 100 ppm Bi, in-whs Rotterdam at $...Read More

Cobalt prices underpinned as sellers hold on to metal units

February 04, 2020 / Staff reporter

Cobalt prices held on to their recent gains on Monday February 3, finding support because of the limited supplies of readily available material.Fastmarkets' inaugural daily price assessments on February 3 for cobalt standard grade, in-whs Rotterdam, and cobalt alloy grade, in-whs Rotterdam, were unchanged at $16.50-16.90 per lb and $17.40-17.80 per lb respectively. The previous assessments were on...Read More

PRICING NOTICE: Launch of daily cobalt price assessments

February 04, 2020 / Staff reporter

Fastmarkets MB today launched daily publication for its benchmark price assessments for standard and alloy-grade cobalt, in-whs Rotterdam. Folllowing a consultation period in 2019, Fastmarkets has launched daily price assessments for cobalt standard grade, in-whs Rotterdam, $/lb and cobalt alloy grade, in whs Rotterdam $/lb. The increase in frequency is intended to provide greater transparenc...Read More